How long do VHO bulbs last? PC?

[ylmaya]

How often do the various bulbs need to be replaced? When does the spectrum go bad?

VHO, PC, MH?????

[sally]

I replace my VHO and PC bulbs yearly.

[toms]

I notice my tank starts to deteriorate after about 10 months with my VHO lights. They run on an Icecap 660 that is about 7 years old I think.

[Doug1]

I usually got a year outta URI bulbs easy on Icecap, Coral life Actinics seem to die after about a year max. When running NO tubes on the IC ballast , I replace after about 6 months, cause they are cheap $5 vs $25.
The PC bulbs seem to lose a lot of umph after about 9 months, thats why I went VHO on my 4' tanks

[Jimbo]

Doug/all, I'm over driving phillips actinic and a uri bulb. both NO, but the URI holds it spectrum better where the phillips bulb gets more white in it.

[ylmaya]

How do you know when the bulbs are going? Does the tank start going dim????

[Doug1]

With IC fired VHO its more of a subtle color shift and algae response unless the bulbs die like CL do.
With PC 2 fixture setup, putting new bulb in one after 9 months or so makes a visable difference to the human eye, FWIW

[ylmaya]

So are you saying that PC bulbs only last 9months? I am planning to run a CSL retrofit fixture with 4 36" 96w PC on my tank. 2 10000K daylight and 2 actinic. Should I swap out one of each after 9 months and then the other after 12? Huh??? Confused,,,,

[Doug1]

ylmaya, thats been my observation from PC I have seen. I am definatly biased towards VHO and ICecap ballasts , esp now that there are clone E ballasts for cheap VHO.
PC from ahsupply and lamps now have always been a decent way to light small tanks up to 36(96w pc) but on 4' tanks and bigger I think VHO has it for life vs replacement cost plus being able to swap in a NO bulb on a sunday when something burns out and the LFS is closed. Having said that, I think VHO make a nice start that can have MH added after the fact.
Just for giggles compare the cost of the CSL 4x96 setup with an Icecap 660 , 4x110 setup at Premium Aquatics. now factor in 4x96w bulb replacement at 9-12 months vs replacing 4 URI VHO at 12-18
months, plus being able to use a NO FLO as a backup if one burns out
OK for comparison sake, from a sponsors website
Icecap 660 , 4x110 VHO $331
CSL retro (2 ballast) 4x96aPC 449.95
VHO bulbs Daylights $25.90 (72" 160 watt is $33.90) (72" act 160w is $32.90
Actinic is $22.90
PC(CSL) 96w 6700K (sold out $31.95
True actinic $40.95
10K 96 watt $47.95

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by Doug1
PC from ahsupply and lamps now have always been a decent way to light small tanks up to 36(96w pc) but on 4' tanks and bigger I think VHO has it for life vs replacement cost plus being able to swap in a NO bulb on a sunday when something burns out and the LFS is closed. Having said that, I think VHO make a nice start that can have MH added after the fact.

I agree with Doug. bigger tanks get better PAR value for longer periods of time with VHO, and MH can be added in addition to them later if need be. PC's last from 6 to 9 months depending on brand (hmmmm on CLS) and ballasts. Tar ballast vhos last about 6 months. I have just started running a set of Icecaps HQI's firing some Sunburst 12Kk lights, I will post the results after a year of running them.

[ylmaya]

OK - so since my tank is only 65G and 36" long - PC should be ok right? (as I mentioned I would us 4 36" 96w bulbs) Should I just mark the calendar and plan to replace all 4 bulbs after about 10 months?????? Is there a way to measure? Also - Originally I thought the PC lasted a bit longer than the VHO - from what I am reading on my post is it the opposite???

[Doug1]

Since you have a 36" tank you are right at the break even point . I see that the Icecap Ballast and 2 bulbs (36" 95w) costs $235 each, so it comes to $470 for 2 sets, since the 4x96 CSL retro kit includes 2 ballast driving each pait of bulbs(makes the dusk dawn easy)
For $331 you get 4x110 watt VHO on an Icecap 660 with no seperate start for actinic, then daylight. Cheap, reliable way to get 440 watts of VHO lighting, actually a tad cheaper if you go with the 36" bulbs. Even cheaper yet would be the LN VHO if they are being carried, when they came out they were about half the price of the IC setup.
All the manufacturers claim long life for there bulbs and stuff, VHO appears to go longer with fewer problems, tho there are some that swear by PC, and thats fine, if it works , Kewl , I have never seen that they are superior enough to spend more

[big t]

Ok there is also the option of 4 95w vho retro kit w/ electronic ballast and bulbs at 36" You can get a 4 bulb retro kit from www.hellolights.com for $159. I recently picked up the 4x48" kit and am very happy w/ it and their customer service. Sorry trt if they are not a sponser of this site but with their prices they should be.