MH Bulb break in period

[CNDReef]

Is the “100 hour “ break in period still the norm for mh bulbs?

 

[mtraylor]

When I was using MH's I didn't know there was a certain hour for break in. It Usually took around a week or so though.

 

[CNDReef]

I want to measure the par but want to know when the color shift is over. I guess I’ll just keep testing until it’s steady

 

[jda]

Just go ahead and do it. Most of the time, the output is not an issue, the spectrum can change a bit... but the amount depends on the bulb.

PAR meters underestimate MH bulbs anyway, so it is just a guess, so the slightly shifting bulb is probably a rounding error anyway.

 

[CNDReef]

Will do. I’m so happy I went back to halides , my corals are all puffy now

 

[jda]

All bulbs will lose 15-25% over the year of use. Some level out after that and people use them for even longer (14k Phoenix, for example)... and some drop off even faster after a year.

In any case, my corals have never complained when I put in new bulbs without any acclimation. It is kinda fun to take a PAR reading with the 12 month old bulbs and then take a reading with the new ones. It is hard to explain why you can drop 125-200ish PAR onto some acropora when changing old-to-new MH bulbs over an acropora with no ill effects, yet raising a LED that same amount in a few minutes will cause a coral to burn.

 

[CNDReef]

I burned my share , that’s why I’m back with halides
I got the Hamilton 20k Bulb and I’m on the fence with the color still.

 

[biecacka]

I really like the Hamilton bulb. But right now i am running their 14k bulb. I like it too

Corey