Lighting Advice

[crumbs217]

I am still relatively new on here and was wondering about replacing my bulbs. I have a 6 ft coralife aqualight with 3 x 150W MH and 4 X 96W compact fluorescent actinic. I run the actinics for 12 hrs a day and the MH for 4 hours a day. I was wondering how often I should be thinking about replacing my bulbs?

[David MC Lee]

I am still relatively new on here and was wondering about replacing my bulbs. I have a 6 ft coralife aqualight with 3 x 150W MH and 4 X 96W compact fluorescent actinic. I run the actinics for 12 hrs a day and the MH for 4 hours a day. I was wondering how often I should be thinking about replacing my bulbs?

I did my MH every 18 months but I ran then 8 hours a day. I think I did about the same for my VHO as well but they ran about 12 hours.

[crumbs217]

Thanks. They're so expensive that I don't wanna replace them anymore than I have to!

[syrinx]

I do a year to 18 months myself. I do have a few tanks I do changes every six months, due to thats how the contract is- but there is no difference. If you notice increased algae and your bulbs are old- time to change. I used to be a dealer for hydrofarms hydroponics and halides. Back when reef keepers started using halides, the bulbs were low K- say 4300 to 5500. When the bulbs age they go towards red- thus more algae. While the output does decrease somewhat with life- a 14 or 20k bulb is likely never going to shift far enough to cause problems. In fact I have seen tanks with 20k bulbs that never have them changed until failure- and the new bulbs are only slightly brighter to the eye when replaced. I think it is yet another case where there was a valid point to changing frequently once upon a time- but the frequency now is more dependent on the type of bulb.

[crumbs217]

My MHs are 10k. Do u think I should consider switching to 14k or 20ks?

[syrinx]

Use what you like. 10K bulbs will give better growth, some people prefer the color of high K bulbs. Some of the 14k bulbs are the best out there- but are also pricey. A good question would be- what kind of coral do you want to keep?

[panaboy95]

i use phoenix 14k it has a better color with the par of a 10k so you get the 10k growth with more closer to 20k color. but that is just my opinion. the bluer the color the more the colors seam to pop.

[crumbs217]

I'm keeping soft and some lps. I think I might try out the 14k

[Daffej]

I had the same unit as you. I switched over to 14k and loved them but sadly without ac I had to switch from mh to led due to the heat.

[HST1]

Ive been running mine for over 2 years now, Was going to replace them a few different times but decided to switch that tank to t-5. Still lagging should get them up by next month I'm really far behind because of a fire that destroyed everything in garage/machine shed.My 185 is on t-5 and growth is great so i bought t-5 for my 125 also.

[crumbs217]

Does the 14k MH produce considerably more heat than a 10k MH bulb?

[syrinx]

No difference in heat. Heat is related to wattage.

[crumbs217]

Ahhh. When I do replace them I am going to switch to the 14k. Thank you for your help

[syrinx]

Bear in mind the 14k may look a little dimmer to your eye. By comparing the par of the bulbs you have now- with the 14k bulbs you want to get- you can try to keep things consistant. There is a great comparison thread in the lighting section of reef central, by sanjay. On my home tank I use low par bulbs on purpose, because I have too much wattage for the tank size and what I am keeping.