bulbs - the money pit

Almondsaz

Almondsaz

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May 26, 2007
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I wanted to confirm how often people change their bulbs to their reef systems.

I know the rule is:
MH's are each year unless you notice a problem before then
CF's are each six months.

That being said, does everyone stick to that?

I have had my CF's for a year (and I bet that is why I have had such a recurring problem with algae) but the MH's are coming up on a year and I have the replacements for both coming tomorrow - can't wait.

I haven't change the CFs in the fuge in 1 1/2 years:eek3:, so it might be time.

Time to share....what are your lighting experiences.
 
I hang onto my overdirven T5s for a lot longer than I should. They normally last 8 mos. to a year, but I notice they really decline in spectrum after 8mos. I guess I try to get the whole year out of them. The fuge bulbs haven't been replaced in about as long as yours, maybe a bit longer.
 
Here is my schedule from my experience with my tank and using a PAR meter to test bulb output:

Actinic - 4x T5HO overdriven w/ Icecap 660 - Change 4 22" bulbs every 3 months.
MH - 10k 250w XM SE overdriven w/ PFO HQI Ballast - Change every 5-1/2 - 6 months.

NO EXCEPTIONS for me since I overdrive both my T5HO and my MH. This is one of the most critical pieces to a successful reef and I will not skimp on waiting a few extra weeks or months to change bulbs. Yes, it is expensive, but really not much more so than any of the other supplies I have to replenish monthly (Bucket of salt, 250ml Rowaphos, 2 bags of Chemi-Pure replaced on the 1st of every month)
 
Or is it I just REALLY care about my tank and won't risk running into problems just to save a few $. ;) I definately wouldn't say I have lots of $, I just spend a large portion of my leftover $ each month on my aquarium. I know people that spend just as much, or more, than I do each month on thier RC Nitro cars... I think those people are nuts, $5000 for a remote control car and hundreds a month in repairs on those things.

Seriously though, $60 for salt a month, $35 for phosphate remover, $20 for 2 bags of Chemi-Pure.. that is $115 a month just for those 3 items. 4 T5HO bulbs cost about that much and I only replace them every 3 months.. and MH is $80 every 6 months. Really not that expensive to me when put into perspective on how much money I have inside my tank. :)
 
I wish you had an email address, I could sure use your advice off line. ;)

I guess I shouldn't say anything, I have 2 jet boats and they are real money pits. Nope, they aren't R/C either, they are the real things. Winter is the best time for boats as you don't get out and run them, or I don't anyway. So I do get a break there.
 
Here are some pics. I just replaced my bulbs on the 15th of Feb and took pics.

Left - Before - 6 Month old XM10K 250w MH + 4x 3 month old T5HO Actinics
Right - After - All new bulbs

3278089398_f07a824729.jpg
3278089460_f0cb6e97bf.jpg
 
Kind of yellow on the left, huh? That's a great photo of the whole tank! BUT, the fish moved. :rofl:
 
If I noticed any sort of decline in my animals, I would definitely change them more often. The corals didn't really mind the color shift and neither did I, so I don't really worry about it.
 
I've got a question, what would you replace these lights with?

1 x 250W 15000K HQI Lamp
2 x 65W Actinic Blue Compact Fluorescent Lamps

This is for my frag tank, 1 foot deep.
 
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