Bulb Replacement Timelines

[jackri]

I know there was just a thread on bulb replacement frequency... but I want to know how often people change out various types.
Sooooooo
1. How often do you change out your metal halides?
2. How often do you change out your PC lighting?
3. How often do you change out your T-5 lighting?
I'm 9 moths on my halides (8 hours a day) and T-5 actinics (10 hours a day) and trying to find that magical number of bulb usefullness to cost of new bulbs.

 

[perfectdark]

Metal Halides, IMO 6 to 8 months... any longer and their useless.
Std HO t-5's could push a year out of them, over driven with an ice cap ballast 6 months.
PC's IMO 8-10 months.
If the supplemental lighting is just for color effect, you dont need to change them until the blow out IMO. The are not offering any wattage for the growth of your corals they are just for aesthetics, JMO

 

[lion_crazz]

Here is the timeline I use and tell people:
Flourescent bulbs - 10 months
Power compacts/VHO bulbs - 6 to 8 months
UV bulbs - 10-12 months (depending on use)
Metal halide bulb - 8-10 months (depending on amt. hours per day being on)
T-5 bulbs - 12-14 months
And remember, when you change bulbs, always stagger the change. Never change all at once. This will give the photosynthetic organisms quite a shock.