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04-11-2006, 10:59 PM
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#1
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,506
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metal halide life span??
I can't remember how long before you need to change out halide bulbs? 1 year? Other than how long they have been in use are there other ways to tell if their lifespan is over?
Thanks!
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Jenni  AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 3250 gph powerheads, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
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04-12-2006, 02:10 AM
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#2
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: .
Posts: 1,339
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There is some sort of metering device but I don't think its common. I recommend a year. Buy your bulbs months in advance and test them. This way if there is a problem there is time to ship it back for a replacement. But you already know that.
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04-12-2006, 09:40 AM
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#3
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Reefless Reefer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 20,559
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a lot also seems to matter on the K of the bulb. the higher the K bulb ths more often they need to be replaced. even ones like 20Ks are recommended to be replaced once a year. iwasaki's seem to hold their colour a lot longer.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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04-12-2006, 10:37 AM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,506
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I am using 14,000 k at the moment... I figured up how long they have been in use between the tank in Oregon and the tank set up here in KS and I think it is approximately a year between the 2 set ups (wow, time flies!!!)... so is it time to replace them even though they still light? Seems crazy to get rid of a bulb that is still working...also if I switch to 10,000 k will this have an affect on my corals? Will I have to acclimate them to a different Kelvin?
Thanks!
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 3250 gph powerheads, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
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04-13-2006, 09:19 PM
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#5
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Nemo's Chamber Boy
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Lake Oswego
Posts: 4,539
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It also depends on the ballasts. I can't remember what you had set up Jen, but hqi ballasts will also take a toll on the bulbs. radiums on hqi ballasts should be changed every 6 to 8 months for example.
on your 14k bulbs, annually should be a good benchmark. if they are something like the double ended phoenix bulbs you can push those longer, 14 to 16 months. if they are the single ended variety then 12 is going to be about max.
10k bulbs should produce a little longer, 14 months or more depending on the socket, and in many cases will require a small light aclimation procedure, but as long as you are staying within the same wattage and running the same ballasts it should be minimal.
you can always reference sanjay's site for comparisons on light output on your bulb and the one you are contemplating to find out approximately how much more or less output is going to be coming out.
__________________
Freelance reefing one tank at a time.
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04-13-2006, 11:53 PM
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#6
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Shark
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Andover, KS
Posts: 3,506
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Thanks, Ryan! Good to hear from you... hope all is well in the great northwest without lil ol me!!
__________________
Jenni AKA "Reefmama"
180 gallon AGA RR mixed reef inwall, 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank sump, 10 gallon hex fuge, Quiet one 5000 return pump, PCI PS-3000 skimmer with Octopus needlewheel pump, 72" Constellation from Aquactinics, 2 3250 gph powerheads, 2 250 watt heaters, 200 lbs live rock, 200 lbs pulverized limestone
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04-14-2006, 03:08 AM
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#7
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,137
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Most recomend a year.
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04-20-2006, 12:30 AM
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#8
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[adult swim]
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,218
Reviews: 2
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electronic ballasts underdrive the bulb
Tar style ballasts overdrive bulbs
I use tar style and change every 11-12 months. (10k reeflux)
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