How long do you run you MH's?????

[oceanparadise1]

do u use just MH or what do u use?

 

[Reef Goddess]

MH's and HQI's. We have T5's over a small tank but thats it otherwise.

 

[ofblong]

I didnt read the rest of this thread but I try to be as close to real life as possible. I run my pro-blues for 12 hours (an hour before the mh and an hour after) and the MH is on for 10 hours and then I have the mooncomputer run the moonlighting for 12 hours.

 

[oceanparadise1]

i do about the same except for 8 hours of mh

 

[dan10342]

i dont have any actinics yet. (i will after i get some PCs in there). the halides r on 11 hours straight. imight bump it down to 10 hours tho

 

[oceanparadise1]

hmm im thinking im goin to up my time, hey dan where did you get those pc blues from :)

 

[paintballer768]

All MH users, check out this article from Advanced Aquarist.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature1

Shows how some brands of bulbs deteriorate over time, and how long you should replace your bulbs. Very informative!!

 

[oceanparadise1]

good read bro, nice find! thanks for sharing!

 

[paintballer768]

good read bro, nice find! thanks for sharing!

I hope itll shed some light on how often to replace the bulbs. Some people on RC are telling me that Radium bulbs need to be replaced after about 6 months because they go downhill faster than others.

 

[oceanparadise1]

hmm yea its def helpful im still reading thru it but its a graet article

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

7 hrs for me right now. Thinking of going to 8...

 

[oceanparadise1]

do u notice good growth, im at 8 andim torn on going more or keeping it the same

 

[paintballer768]

I just started 9 today. Going to take note whether any algae starts blooming and how the corals respond to it.

 

[ofblong]

All MH users, check out this article from Advanced Aquarist.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature1

Shows how some brands of bulbs deteriorate over time, and how long you should replace your bulbs. Very informative!!

cept those are all 400w lamps. I have a 250w HQI which puts out more light than most of those 400w lamps and I am being told to replace it 9months-12months.

 

[paintballer768]

cept those are all 400w lamps. I have a 250w HQI which puts out more light than most of those 400w lamps and I am being told to replace it 9months-12months.

True. I think double ended bulbs put out more intensity than single ended, which could cause it to be replaced more often. Ill be getting a Radium 20k this month some time, and replace it whenever I need to. MarineDepot says every 10-12 months for the bulb, so Ill go with that until Im proven otherwise

 

[oceanparadise1]

i switch mine every 10 months just to be on the safe side

 

[reef-lover]

I run mine 10 hours a day, with no adverse affects

 

[oceanparadise1]

im offically uping mine today to 9 hours then 10 hours next week

 

[FaviaFreak]

depending on how much par your corals are receiving from your lights it's one or the other imho

A Lot of Par= Shorter photoperoid (anywhere from 4-6 hrs.)

Less to Average Par= Longer Photoperiod ( anywhere from 6-10 hrs)

 

[Paul_N]

I have slowly dropped mine to 5 hours and get the same growth as when I was at 8 hours. I had seen several people do it so I gave it a shot. less electricity usage and bulbs last almost twice as long. It's all about the $!