MH's too old?

kogle

kogle

Member
Alright, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this one but I HAD to ask becasue the only dumb question is the one not asked right?
I bought a MH retrofit kit about a year ago with no idea of how old the bulb was.
The problem I'm having is ALL of my corals are not looking good. This has been a slow trend over the past couple of months. It's gooten to the point where my torch has started dropping it's heads, my open brain is showing tissue reccesion, and my hammer is looking "long and stringy" I dismissed the lights being an issue and focused on water quality becasue my BTA seems to be thriving. Now I'm not so sure the lights aren't the issue.
These things are supposed to be replaced every 12 months right? So if the bulb was brand new when I received the kit (which appeared to be used) it's still time right?
Any suggestions?
Water parameters are:
A= 0
Ni= 0
Na= 10-20
Ca= NA
 
dbgator1

dbgator1

Member
I am sure replacing the bulbs would help you out. All bulbs wear out after awhile and if they were a little used when you got them they are definitely ready.
 
kzoo

kzoo

Member
Yes, the par in the bulb reduces after time and will give your corals less of what they need to grow.
 
kogle

kogle

Member
Thanks everyone, I thought so. I'm going to pick up a new bulb this weekend from the LFS. I guess this will be a good chance to go from 10K to 12K.
 
kogle

kogle

Member
I agree nitrates are a bit high but they've never been below 10 in two years. Faulty test kit?
 
mudplayerx

mudplayerx

Active Member
Make sure you don't try to save too much money on your bulbs. My corals were doing poorly for about 5 months after I replaced my bulbs. I put the old bulbs back in and they are doing great after just a week or so (and the old bulbs are a year old!).
Make sure you get name brand bulbs from a reputable dealer. The year old 10k Coralifes from the local store work 10x better than the brand new 14k Hamiltons from over the internet.
 
kogle

kogle

Member
Myudplayerx I really wish I had read this before I went to the LFS store yesterday and bought myself a 14K Hamilton. So am I to believe these things are worthless? Man I just can't win for loosing.
 
mudplayerx

mudplayerx

Active Member
Originally Posted by KOgle
Myudplayerx I really wish I had read this before I went to the LFS store yesterday and bought myself a 14K Hamilton. So am I to believe these things are worthless? Man I just can't win for loosing.
I'm sure you are fine. Hamiltons rate pretty well in PAR for the money they cost. Check it out here: PAR RATINGS
I think my problem is that I ordered them from the internet on sale. It seemed like a legit site, and the bulbs did indeed look like new Hamiltons, but you never know. My corals sure didnt like them at all.
 
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