Changing MH lamps

[jerryc]

#ed_op#div#ed_cl#whit is the length of time you run your lamps before changing them#ed_op#/div#ed_cl##ed_op#div#ed_cl##ed_op#/div#ed_cl##ed_op#div#ed_cl##ed_op#/div#ed_cl##ed_op#div#ed_cl##ed_op#/div#ed_cl##ed_op#div#ed_cl##ed_op#/div#ed_cl#

[dakar]

Jerry I changed your poll options a bit so they read better sequentially.

We've got about 8 months on our first batch of halides now... they are still looking as crisp as ever so we'll see, I'd like to get about 12 months or more out of them.

[Reptoreef]

I run my XM's(generally) 6hpd and my single DE 4hpd... they will last much longer and it's been proven that over 4hpd of metal halide is overkill for the benefit of the zoozanthellae. A longer lighting period does, however seem to enhance the colors of the corals trying to protect themselves from the prolonged photoperiod(actually the zoozanthellae, also). About 2 months before our reef tour, I slowly adjust my lighting period for the XM's to 8hpd and my single DE to 6 hpd.

[graphixx]

reptor your right, all of your corals and softies get enough light in approx 4 to 6 hours. I actually kicked my photoperiod down to about 8 hours now I want to see what happens

[jerryc]

Iv been running them 10 months at 6 hours a day just wonted to no about
everyone else
all ways run Hamilton lamps but thanking about trying a deferent lamp
next time around probable still do 10K whichever one i do

[davejnz]

I also only run my halide for 7 hrs.As for increased bulb life,i dont agree that shortened photoperiods increase bulb life.With halides,the firingstartup process is what ages the bulbs.There's an article about it somewhere on the web i could try and find.

[davejnz]

This a quote from DougR "Starting is much more detrimental to the life of the bulb than running. Especially for those of us with probe start bulbs, which will be 97% of those using magnetic ballasts. The biggest issue is that when a probe start bulb fires up, it "sputters" Which means that some of the tungston in the starting probe will vaporize each time. It will then deposit on the inside of the arc tube. That's the black deposits you see as the bulb gets older"