Lighting Question...

[techniner]

Looking for opinions....

I currently have a JLB Compact VHO Lighting system .. with 4 60 watt bulbs in it...

And A Double Strip light with 2 40 Wat Actinics in It..


They are due up for a change...

And I went ahead and purchased 96 Watt bulbs this time .. same 40's on the act's..

My question is.. when I got to change them should I do it two at a time not to shock them ?

Or will it not make a diff ?

[Hommeworks]

As I understand, especially with MH, as the life span of a bulb increases, the light should be lowered closer to the surface. For say a period of 3 months, graduating the height above surface each month. Then when the bulb is replaced, the light should be raised to highest position again. The bulbs should be changed all together. Weak light, immediately followed by strong light is very stressful. Some basic rules:

1. Bulb changing is problematic
2. Change bulbs before their time.
3. Change bulbs in cooler water, like during winter months.
4. As a bulb ages, blues & violets go 1st, followed by the yellow and orange bandwidths.

I don't know if same applies to VHO, assume it does if you are heavily invested in sps coral.

[jesspaul]

I've always heard you should change Florescens one at a time. the bulbs take about 100 hrs to get to full strengh and its less stress to cycle them in.

[techniner]

OK... Nnot running MH's... so you think I should Change them one bulb at a time ?


Any other input out thier ?

Expierence ?

[techniner]

So does anyonw think just changing all bulbs at once would be a negative thing ?

[hitillidie]

Two at a time should be fine

[techniner]

Cool thanks !

[techniner]

Question.. Change two... then leave it for a day change the next two ?

[Eric P]

Change 2. wait a week then change the other 2.

My .02, Eric...

[techniner]

OK sounds good thanks guys !