Metal Halides

[Reefdude5]

Just wonderin how often Metal Halides should be changed. I have a reef with a variety of corals in it and 2 250 watt halides. They're about 6-8 months old (can't remember). Lol Thanks

[squid]

I think most will agree with me on this one... They should be changed every 12 months.

[Reefdude5]

Really? Cause I've heard a number of people say no more than 6 months!

[laddy00]

It all depends on how much intensity you are willing to loose before you replace them. I agree with Lise though that 12 months is good. 6 months is usually for flourescents. Some people go even longer than 12 for MH but I do 12.

[Toadfish]

12 mos. Unless you are running them for long periods at a time.

[squid]

reefdude, if you get the cheap mh lamp chances are you will have to. Now that doesn't mean MH lamps that are on sale...that means that any MH lamp you get and pay under say 70 bucks for a 175, then I would say yes every 6 months. But if you go with a name brand, ie, Ishio, Iwaski, etc, then your good for 12 months.

Some hobbiest don't want to or can't afford the price of the above lamps so they get the less expensive lamp to fill the "now" need. In the long run, they actually pay more because they have to replace them more often

You shouldn't be running your MH for more than 10 hours a day. I think when you run them longer, you invite problems in the tank. Algae


my 2 cents