How long will 110 watt vho's last?

[allansam]

I was told to change them every 6 months. Then i was told a year.

 

[devil dog]

What are you keeping in your tank? If its a reef you will need to change them out 6 to 8 months...

 

[triga22]

I would try 8 watch the corals closely to see if there is a change in how they look, react.

 

[allansam]

I've had them for a year. I think it's time to change.

 

[triga22]

Yea, I would say.

 

[allansam]

Time to change vho's there go $100.00

 

[bang guy]

It's worth buying a cheap lux meter to test when to change bulbs. I usually test new bulbs 1 month after I start using them and then I replace them after they lose 15% of their brightness.
I log all bulb changes with interesting results.
SuperActinic last 12 - 14 months
Daylight last 24 - 30 months.
These are 6' VHO URI bulbs with the internal reflector using IceCap 660 ballasts. I run 3 bulbs per ballast.
I agree with the 6 month lifespan if you are using a magnetic ballast.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2627220
It's worth buying a cheap lux meter to test when to change bulbs. I usually test new bulbs 1 month after I start using them and then I replace them after they lose 15% of their brightness.
I log all bulb changes with interesting results.
SuperActinic last 12 - 14 months
Daylight last 24 - 30 months.
These are 6' VHO URI bulbs with the internal reflector using IceCap 660 ballasts. I run 3 bulbs per ballast.
I agree with the 6 month lifespan if you are using a magnetic ballast.
I had no idea the icecaps gain you that much... interesting...

 

[allansam]

What are the difference in IceCap 660 ballasts and a magnetic ballast?

 

[hariii2]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2627220
It's worth buying a cheap lux meter to test when to change bulbs. I usually test new bulbs 1 month after I start using them and then I replace them after they lose 15% of their brightness.
I log all bulb changes with interesting results.
SuperActinic last 12 - 14 months
Daylight last 24 - 30 months.
These are 6' VHO URI bulbs with the internal reflector using IceCap 660 ballasts. I run 3 bulbs per ballast.
I agree with the 6 month lifespan if you are using a magnetic ballast.
Hey BangGuy,
You say you run 3 6' bulbs with an IceCap 660? That would be great, but I thought that I read that they can only run up to 15 linear feet?
Thanks,
hari

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by hariii2
http:///forum/post/2637472
Hey BangGuy,
You say you run 3 6' bulbs with an IceCap 660? That would be great, but I thought that I read that they can only run up to 15 linear feet?
Thanks,
hari

They are guaranteed to run up to 15 linear feet. They can do a lot more but it's not guaranteed. Make sure the ballast is firmly connected to a heat sink and it not in a hot area. Heat is what kills IceCaps so with a heat sink & air circulation they can do a lot.
FYI - I have 3 660s all running 18' of VHO. They've been doing this for about 8 years.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ALLANSAM
http:///forum/post/2628816
What are the difference in IceCap 660 ballasts and a magnetic ballast?

Magnetic ballasts use an inductor and electronic ballasts use solid state circuitry.

 

[hariii2]

Great, thanks, good to know.

 

[salt210]

bang where would one go about finding one of these lux meters? sounds like a good investment

 

[bang guy]

Mine is an "AR823". You should be able to google one up. I think it was about $100.