marinemarty
Member
Hi All, i want to know how often should i change my light bulbs?? I run the MH's 8 hrs a day and VHO's 12. What would be some signs of problems.... Thank You
Martin
Martin
How do you know when to change light Bulbs??
- Thread starter marinemarty
- Start date
hairtrigger
Active Member
Corals starting to turn a darker color, tissue recession, dimmer lighting. I believe most bulbs last roughly a year. But, I hear most folks change them every 8 months or so. I just got new lighting a while ago, so Im not sure how often Im going to change mine. However, it is better to just be safe and change the bulbs before you see issues. Im getting some halides soon and that comes into play about which wattage to get. Cause they're expensive bulbs... especially for a dual setup. 
bang guy
Moderator
I use a cheap LUX meter. I want the lighting on my reef to be fairly consistent. A LUX meter won't tell you how much light a bulb is putting out you need the more expensive PAR meter for that but it WILL tell you the change in light output.
I take a reading 2 weeks after I start using the bulb and then I replace the bulb after a 15% decrease in Lumens from there.
I take a reading 2 weeks after I start using the bulb and then I replace the bulb after a 15% decrease in Lumens from there.
M
mudshark
Guest
I like Bang Guy's method.... I found that my 03's last the shortest
time..... about 6 to 8 months, depending on brand (Philips are best)
and the 10K's and other "white" lights seem to last a bit longer,
about 10 months..... Maybe a year. Most Tri-phosphor. (daylight) bulbs will
physically die when they are done, so those are easier.
The best way to tell is to do what Bang Guy suggests. get a lux
meter.
time..... about 6 to 8 months, depending on brand (Philips are best)
and the 10K's and other "white" lights seem to last a bit longer,
about 10 months..... Maybe a year. Most Tri-phosphor. (daylight) bulbs will
physically die when they are done, so those are easier.
The best way to tell is to do what Bang Guy suggests. get a lux
meter.
leigh
Active Member
How Many Dogs Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?
Afghan: Light bulb? What light bulb?
American Bulldog: JUMP, remove bulb, land. JUMP, replace bulb, land.
Australian Shepherd: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle....
Basenji: LIGHT BULB? We don't change no stinking light bulbs!
Beagle: How many cookies do I get?
Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
Boxer: If I could stop wiggling my butt long enough to quit falling off the chair.......
Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark......
Bulldog: Just one. But it takes them three years to do it.
Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.
Corgi: I can't reach the lamp!
Dachshund: Well, first get me a ladder and a treat...... no, you took too long. I want TWO treats and I'll do it......... No, not that treat, the other kind. Geez.......... do I have to do everything? (of course, followed by "the look".)
Dalmatian: Just one, but it will really hate the new bulb.
Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.
German Shepherd: "I'm kinda busy right now! I have to chase the cat, protect the kids, herd the horses, beg for food and take a nap. I'll add the light bulb to my "To Do" list...."
Golden Retriever: "I'll be glad to change the light bulb for you, but first can't we play catch with the tennis ball, or Frisbee -- and then I want to lick your face and rest my head in your lap and look up at you with my sad eyes. What, you're changing the light bulb yourself -- you didn't have to do that -- but I looooove you so much for being my friend and doing that."
Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?
Good Ol' Southern Hound Dog: Huh????
Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.
Lab: Oh, me, me!!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I?
Malamute: Let the Border Collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.
Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.
Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb?
Pit Bull Terrier: Jump and take hold of old light bulb. Now, let go of old light bulb........ I said LET GO OF LIGHT BULB! Please???? Let go of the light bulb?????? Let go?
Pointer: I see it, there it is, there it is, right there....
Pomeranians don't change light bulbs, although sometimes their agent will get a German Shepherd in to do the job for them while they're out.
Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.
Pug: Er, two. Or maybe one. No -- on second thought, make that two. Is that OK with you?
Rottweiler: Make me.
Schipperke: It's your light bulb -- change it yourself. Unless..... Is there food involved??
Shiba-Inu: Zero! Shibas aren't afraid of the dark!
Springer: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?
Standard Poodle: None. Go get human, sit under it, look up and point it out -- then go lie down in disgust that it took so long.
Weimaraner: What?? Light bulb? You want ME to change a LIGHT BULB?
Wolfdog: Let me see that light bulb, anyway. What's it made of, what's inside of it, what will happen if I drop it. I might change it, but let me think about it. You're not trying to tell me what to do, are you? Hey, I just had a great idea. I think I'll change that light bulb!
Cat: Dogs do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs.
Proving yet again that dogs have masters but cats have staff.
Afghan: Light bulb? What light bulb?
American Bulldog: JUMP, remove bulb, land. JUMP, replace bulb, land.
Australian Shepherd: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle....
Basenji: LIGHT BULB? We don't change no stinking light bulbs!
Beagle: How many cookies do I get?
Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
Boxer: If I could stop wiggling my butt long enough to quit falling off the chair.......
Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark......
Bulldog: Just one. But it takes them three years to do it.
Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.
Corgi: I can't reach the lamp!
Dachshund: Well, first get me a ladder and a treat...... no, you took too long. I want TWO treats and I'll do it......... No, not that treat, the other kind. Geez.......... do I have to do everything? (of course, followed by "the look".)
Dalmatian: Just one, but it will really hate the new bulb.
Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.
German Shepherd: "I'm kinda busy right now! I have to chase the cat, protect the kids, herd the horses, beg for food and take a nap. I'll add the light bulb to my "To Do" list...."
Golden Retriever: "I'll be glad to change the light bulb for you, but first can't we play catch with the tennis ball, or Frisbee -- and then I want to lick your face and rest my head in your lap and look up at you with my sad eyes. What, you're changing the light bulb yourself -- you didn't have to do that -- but I looooove you so much for being my friend and doing that."
Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?
Good Ol' Southern Hound Dog: Huh????
Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.
Lab: Oh, me, me!!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I?
Malamute: Let the Border Collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.
Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.
Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb?
Pit Bull Terrier: Jump and take hold of old light bulb. Now, let go of old light bulb........ I said LET GO OF LIGHT BULB! Please???? Let go of the light bulb?????? Let go?
Pointer: I see it, there it is, there it is, right there....
Pomeranians don't change light bulbs, although sometimes their agent will get a German Shepherd in to do the job for them while they're out.
Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.
Pug: Er, two. Or maybe one. No -- on second thought, make that two. Is that OK with you?
Rottweiler: Make me.
Schipperke: It's your light bulb -- change it yourself. Unless..... Is there food involved??
Shiba-Inu: Zero! Shibas aren't afraid of the dark!
Springer: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?
Standard Poodle: None. Go get human, sit under it, look up and point it out -- then go lie down in disgust that it took so long.
Weimaraner: What?? Light bulb? You want ME to change a LIGHT BULB?
Wolfdog: Let me see that light bulb, anyway. What's it made of, what's inside of it, what will happen if I drop it. I might change it, but let me think about it. You're not trying to tell me what to do, are you? Hey, I just had a great idea. I think I'll change that light bulb!
Cat: Dogs do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs.
Proving yet again that dogs have masters but cats have staff.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally posted by plum70rt
Bang how long does that Take? is it a year or less to decrease 15%?
I noticed my corals were not opening as much at 11 months,
I use 72" URI VHO bulbs and IceCap 660 ballasts.
The SuperActinic last about 10 - 12 months on average and the AquaSuns last 22 - 25 months.
I recently started a 250 watt Iwasaki on the Refugium. But it's only been a couple months.
Oh, one last thought. I've heard people go to complicated lengths to make sure the meter is always the same distance from the bulb. This is definately important but I stick the dang thing right on the bulb... no measuring. Unfortunately I've had to modify this method for the MV bulb... it's pretty hot.
marinemarty
Member
thanks to all
Martin
Martin
hairtrigger
Active Member
Wow, bang. That's really cool. I'm going to try that.