How often to change MH bulbs? [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

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UCanDoIt

09/14/2006, 07:30 PM

For DE HQI MH bulbs, how often is suggested change if use:

4 hours daily?

6 hours daily?

8 hours dailyZ?

10 hours daily?

Meaning, does it make a difference based on the # of hours they are used daily? Thanks in advance. :confused:

drives300

09/14/2006, 11:45 PM

I would change them every year., regardless of use. They can handle 10 hrs a day for a year

UCanDoIt

10/03/2006, 02:01 PM

thanks, completely forgot about this thread.

ReeferAl

10/04/2006, 02:26 PM

Frankly, all recommendations about MH bulbs are based on liitle or no actual data. I know Sanjay Joshi is working on some data about deterioration of output and/or spectrum over time but he hasn't published it yet. Hopefully such data will be available in the near future.

A common recommendation is every year and maybe oftener for high K bulbs. There are people you have used them much longer though without any obvious problems.

Allen