Vho lighting question
- Thread starter jjlittle
- Start date
slowest is fastest
Member
Bang,
It is my very general understanding that the actinic phosphors "degrade" faster and therfore leads to a more frequent bulb change than the daylight bulbs.
I was not aware however that even on an IceCap ballast the bulbs would last much past 12 months (9 months for the actinics/50-50) without their respective spectrums changing dramatically.
Can you point me to a resource that you used to discern the 12/24 month bulb life.
Thanks in advance,
SiF
It is my very general understanding that the actinic phosphors "degrade" faster and therfore leads to a more frequent bulb change than the daylight bulbs.
I was not aware however that even on an IceCap ballast the bulbs would last much past 12 months (9 months for the actinics/50-50) without their respective spectrums changing dramatically.
Can you point me to a resource that you used to discern the 12/24 month bulb life.
Thanks in advance,
SiF
bang guy
Moderator
My LUX meter is my resource*.
After a 2 week burn in for a bulb I record the LUX. After the bulb has lost 20% I consider the bulb less than fully useful and should be displaced**.
*This does not mean that I think a LUX meter measures bulb output. I am using it to see the "change in output" of the bulb.
**50/50 bulbs are different. The lux of the daylight phosphors exceeds the output of the actinic phosphors to such a degree that the Actinic could be 100% burned out with only a slight drop in lux.
Basically I consider 50/50 used up at the same rate as the Actinic bulbs.
After a 2 week burn in for a bulb I record the LUX. After the bulb has lost 20% I consider the bulb less than fully useful and should be displaced**.
*This does not mean that I think a LUX meter measures bulb output. I am using it to see the "change in output" of the bulb.
**50/50 bulbs are different. The lux of the daylight phosphors exceeds the output of the actinic phosphors to such a degree that the Actinic could be 100% burned out with only a slight drop in lux.
Basically I consider 50/50 used up at the same rate as the Actinic bulbs.
slowest is fastest
Member
So you are actually measuring illumination not color shift?
Do you notice any visible change in color after month 12?
I am assuming you are using URI VHO bulbs (or NO bulbs
)
My only other thought would be after month 12 a bulb might begin shifting toward a more red spectrum that, in a tank with higher organics or inadaquate husbandry, an algae bloom might occur. If I remember correctly there is an old FAMA article that if I could find it would probably answer my questions.
Now that the memory has gone I wonder what's next:thinking:
SiF
Do you notice any visible change in color after month 12?
I am assuming you are using URI VHO bulbs (or NO bulbs
)My only other thought would be after month 12 a bulb might begin shifting toward a more red spectrum that, in a tank with higher organics or inadaquate husbandry, an algae bloom might occur. If I remember correctly there is an old FAMA article that if I could find it would probably answer my questions.
Now that the memory has gone I wonder what's next:thinking:
SiF
bang guy
Moderator
Good questions.
Yes, URI VHO bulbs all the way.
The nature of flourescent phosphors prevents the individual phosphors from shifting spectrum. They cannot do that. They are on, off, or dim. In a bulb with multiple phosphors they can degrade at different rates and therefore the bulb as a whole can shift spectrum. URI only uses one phosphor in their daylight VHO bulbs.
That means they cannot shift spectrum, they just get dimmer.
This is not true for many other bulbs but I gave up on the cheaper bulbs decades ago.
As a footnote, I do not believe spectrum shift causes algae problems. MH definately shift but I believe nutrient problems cause excess algae, not spectrum shift. I could easily be convinced otherwise with evidence but that's my opinion for now.
I believe dim bulbs could prevent corals from thriving and that could cause nutrient problems all by itself.
I also replace my bulbs one at a time staggered over a year. This creates a more stable environment.
Yes, URI VHO bulbs all the way.
The nature of flourescent phosphors prevents the individual phosphors from shifting spectrum. They cannot do that. They are on, off, or dim. In a bulb with multiple phosphors they can degrade at different rates and therefore the bulb as a whole can shift spectrum. URI only uses one phosphor in their daylight VHO bulbs.
That means they cannot shift spectrum, they just get dimmer.
This is not true for many other bulbs but I gave up on the cheaper bulbs decades ago.
As a footnote, I do not believe spectrum shift causes algae problems. MH definately shift but I believe nutrient problems cause excess algae, not spectrum shift. I could easily be convinced otherwise with evidence but that's my opinion for now.
I believe dim bulbs could prevent corals from thriving and that could cause nutrient problems all by itself.
I also replace my bulbs one at a time staggered over a year. This creates a more stable environment.
reefraff
Active Member
Andy at Ice Cap says change the actinics when you don't like the look any more. A guy on another forum took a PAR meter to 7 month old URI actinics and measured 480 UMOL's and the new lamp was at 670. This guy was running the lamps 14 hours a day so I would guess Bang's 12 month estimate would be pretty dead on with normal lighting periods. Ice Cap also says 24 months on the days, and people argue with them. I guess all that expensive equipment they use is wrong
bang guy
Moderator
My LUX meter is archaic so I would definately trust Andy's equipment more than mine. I believe I have a pretty good estimate though.
I also let the bulbs burn in 2 weeks. The lighting output is advertised to go from 115% to 100% of rated output after 100 hours. IMO brand new bulb will be unrealistically bright.
I also let the bulbs burn in 2 weeks. The lighting output is advertised to go from 115% to 100% of rated output after 100 hours. IMO brand new bulb will be unrealistically bright.
reefraff
Active Member
PAR meters are fun. I got wrapped up into playing with different reflectors forthe T5's and then I got T6's thrown at me to play with and now halides. My living room looks like the store room for a lighting store. It's been nice to be able to compare the different systems.
reefraff
Active Member
There is a chance I might be able to arrange for some T6 samples for you to try out if you are interested, they should fit into VHO set ups.
E-mail me with your lamp lengths if your interested and I'll see what I can do.
stevelarsen00@hotmail.com
E-mail me with your lamp lengths if your interested and I'll see what I can do.
stevelarsen00@hotmail.com