How often do you all change your bulbs?

[ovenmitt]

I was thinking you change your bulbs every year but someone was telling me that I should change them about the 9-10month range since they start to lose their strength about that time. Is this true? We have the Coralife Aqua light pro with 1 250w MH and 2 65W Actinics. I was reading on here about the different MH bulbs and thought I read some where that the Phoenix 14k bulbs made the corals look very nice with slightly bluer hue. But what about the Actinics, which brand and bulb type in the 65w range are the betters?

 

[mie]

I use coralife 65 watts depending on your corals and softies usually around 9 to 11 months they run about 45 bucks each the attinics i believe lose there intensity at about 7 to 8 months.

 

[reefkprz]

PC bulbs I change every 5-6 months, VHOs every 8-10 months, halides? I dont run them so i dont know the par decline for them.

 

[nycbob]

i know there is this par measuring lighting device for about $85. it measures the light intensity of ur bulbs and lets u know when to replace them. i will find out what this device is called.

 

[nycbob]

its called a smart lux light meter.

 

[patandlace]

Originally Posted by mie
I use coralife 65 watts depending on your corals and softies usually around 9 to 11 months they run about 45 bucks each the attinics i believe lose there intensity at about 7 to 8 months.
You can find new 65W coralife actinics shipped for about $25.