Light?

[aznxcheapbasta3]

How do u know when o change your reef light? some people says that it should be changed every 6 months to 1 yeaar. Well if the light is still working why should we changed it? There must be a reason right?? Can anyone tell me how to see if you need to change the light if all of them are still useable...
Thankz <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[ren]

The lumens output decreases. I can tell ya about florescents lol the phosphers are ionized at startup and then remain charged with the current from the ballast. This burns the phosphers out over time. On a high $$ ballast the bulbs last longer and with less $$ ballasts the bulb life is less. Its not a level you will see but can measure if you have a lumen meter for ... oh around $100.00 I believe.

 

[predator]

Depends on what type ballesty and lights you have. Anywhere from 6 months to a year. Alot of the time your corals will give off indicaters. What type of lighting do you have and how long have you had it?

 

[uncle fester]

Also, over time the spectral output tends to shift. For MH bulbs the shift is to the yellow-red end of the spectrum. Very obvious change from blue-white to yellow red. The bulbs still fire but do not encourage the growth we want.