How often should you change bulbs?

[knowthemath]

I've read that after 6 months your bulbs should be changed because they lose their effectiveness as they age. Has anyone seen research on this?
Everything I've read has been from a retailer or the manufacturer.

Thanks.

 

[OrionGirl]

What kind of bulbs? Some last longer than others--I think it goes NO, VHO, PC, MH. Figure NO should be replaced every 6 months, VHO every 8 months, PC every 2 years, MH every 2 years. I think.

 

[knowthemath]

I have PC lights.

 

[mogurnda]

I do mine about every year.

 

[aquatic-store]

Currently there is a big controversy on the FW side of this but SW reef keepers tend to replace thirs every 6 m as the blue spectrum starts degrading after that

Http://www.fish-forums.com


marc Russo
http://www.Aquatic-store.com

 

[mogurnda]

As far as actual data, I haven't seen anything independent more recent than about 1999. I'll try to dredge up a few articles.