When to change bulbs... (MH & PC)???

[2tanksrunnin]

Hi, I was wondering how long MH and PC bulbs last? When do you all here on TRT replace your bulbs? If it depends on the brand I'm using corlalife. Thanks!

[VWD]

No longer then a year here,

[jenajet]

pc every 6-8 months max. mh 9-12 months max.

[Wiskey]

It really depends on the bulbs and fixture IME,.. Jenna has a good guideline there, but with PC's if you have a fan cooled fixture or an open fixture you can push much closer to 9 months IME, but if you have a enclosed fixture that's not fan cooled your really better off to replace the bulbs at 6 months.

Keeping those bulbs cool not only improves their output but makes them last much longer.
Whiskey

[jenajet]

Yeah my pod is enclosed and at 6 months you could already tell they were on the downside. By running a fan over the canopy they brightened back up and I got another 3 months but only softies in the tank. Summers here and the fan has to stay on now just to keep the temp down. I really want to get rid of the top and go with the sunpaq mh.

[2tanksrunnin]

Thank you everyone for your insight!!! My fixture is opened and fanned cooled, we do have a tall wooden canopy/cover that we could put on, but choose not to, due to the heat. Thanks again for answering my question!!!