when should I replace lights?

djpj001 · 03-03-2008, 12:55 PM

Hello people,

I haven't post in a while b/c my tank has been up and running pretty good.

Currently I am using 4 VHO's ( 2 super white & 2 actinics){ 440 watts}
How can you tell the lights need to be replaced? I've had them for about 2 plus years and they're still going.

One more thing, do I need to replace the ballasts too???

Thx
DJPJ

AQTCJAK · 03-03-2008, 01:00 PM

replace them every 8 months depending on daily usage avgerage is 10 hours per day

djpj001 · 03-03-2008, 01:04 PM

Every 8 months??????? Really..... anyone else????

Woodstock · 03-03-2008, 01:08 PM

Without a meter there is no real way to tell for sure. I have read that the blue/actinic bulbs shift faster than say a 10k or 65k. I replace my T5 bulbs every 12-16 months or so. Keep an eye on your reef and be sure you take notice in lack of coral growth or even nusiance algae growth; either could be indications that new bulbs are needed.

goldenmean · 03-03-2008, 01:08 PM

I replace my PC bulbs every 8-10 months

Woodstock · 03-03-2008, 01:11 PM

Opps! Missed a question...

No, the ballast should be fine for years (until they quit).

Also, replace only two bulbs every 3-4 weeks when you do. The increased PAR output from the new bulbs will be quite dramatic and your corals need to slowly acclimate to them.

djpj001 · 03-03-2008, 01:38 PM

thx woodstock

djbacon · 03-03-2008, 01:46 PM

Everything, and i mean EVERYTHING I have read - says 8-9 months

BigAl07 · 03-03-2008, 01:53 PM

Yes 8-9 months is about right. The bulbs will "last/burn" much longer than that. What happens is that as the bulb age they "Spectrum" shifts ever so slightly and that's why the bulbs need replacing.

acer · 03-03-2008, 07:01 PM

I replace my aquasun VHO's every 9 months - but have left the Actinics on for up to 16 months thinking they would not shift as much. Lessons learned- I guess I will be buying some more VHO bulbs. Anybody have any suggestions were I can get them- 46.5 inch is what I use. My local stores sell them for over $40 each ( ouch!!) - so I will be ordering via the internet. Thanks.

lcstorc · 03-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Check out our sponsors. Many sell replacement bulbs and even with shipping they are less than buying at the LFS.

djpj001 · 03-05-2008, 12:04 PM

Thx for all the info everybody--- DJPJ

03-03-2008, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
djpj001 Tubeworm Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 36 View Gallery Karma Komment	when should I replace lights? Hello people, I haven't post in a while b/c my tank has been up and running pretty good. Currently I am using 4 VHO's ( 2 super white & 2 actinics){ 440 watts} How can you tell the lights need to be replaced? I've had them for about 2 plus years and they're still going. One more thing, do I need to replace the ballasts too??? Thx DJPJ

03-03-2008, 01:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,930 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? replace them every 8 months depending on daily usage avgerage is 10 hours per day __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

03-03-2008, 01:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
djpj001 Tubeworm Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 36 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: when should I replace lights? Every 8 months??????? Really..... anyone else????

03-03-2008, 01:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,847 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? Without a meter there is no real way to tell for sure. I have read that the blue/actinic bulbs shift faster than say a 10k or 65k. I replace my T5 bulbs every 12-16 months or so. Keep an eye on your reef and be sure you take notice in lack of coral growth or even nusiance algae growth; either could be indications that new bulbs are needed. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

03-03-2008, 01:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,062 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? I replace my PC bulbs every 8-10 months __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

03-03-2008, 01:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,847 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? Opps! Missed a question... No, the ballast should be fine for years (until they quit). Also, replace only two bulbs every 3-4 weeks when you do. The increased PAR output from the new bulbs will be quite dramatic and your corals need to slowly acclimate to them. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

03-03-2008, 01:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
djpj001 Tubeworm Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 36 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: when should I replace lights? thx woodstock

03-03-2008, 01:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
djbacon Torch coral Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 547 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? Everything, and i mean EVERYTHING I have read - says 8-9 months __________________ Check out my awesome 14g nanoreef in progress - http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ater-tank.html The Nano Club - It's not the size of the reef. It's what's in it that counts

03-03-2008, 01:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,613 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? Yes 8-9 months is about right. The bulbs will "last/burn" much longer than that. What happens is that as the bulb age they "Spectrum" shifts ever so slightly and that's why the bulbs need replacing. __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

03-03-2008, 07:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
acer Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 13 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: when should I replace lights? I replace my aquasun VHO's every 9 months - but have left the Actinics on for up to 16 months thinking they would not shift as much. Lessons learned- I guess I will be buying some more VHO bulbs. Anybody have any suggestions were I can get them- 46.5 inch is what I use. My local stores sell them for over $40 each ( ouch!!) - so I will be ordering via the internet. Thanks.

03-03-2008, 07:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,412 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: when should I replace lights? Check out our sponsors. Many sell replacement bulbs and even with shipping they are less than buying at the LFS. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

03-05-2008, 12:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
djpj001 Tubeworm Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 36 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: when should I replace lights? Thx for all the info everybody--- DJPJ

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