How often you change your lamps

My lighting unit is working since February and i would like to find out when is it best to change lamps;

What type of light is it? and how many hours a day do you run your lights?

i have 6 x 54w 120cm and the three of them goes on from 9:00 to17.00 the have other three that goes on from 12:00 to 19:00 and i change them every 6month all of them but now i introduced a system every two month i change 2 of them for not have to change them all at once

Originally Posted by kyriakos

My lighting unit is working since February and i would like to find out when is it best to change lamps;

it supplied with 3x250W metal halide lambs and 4x80W T5. Metal halide run 7 hours and T5 10 hours daily.

My T5's on a standard HO ballast I change once a year, Over driven I change them every 6 months

Originally Posted by Reefdaddy

My T5's on a standard HO ballast I change once a year, Over driven I change them every 6 months

expensive habit we chose isn't it?! new frags, salt, lights, pumps, fish, clams, and on and on!

I just started changing my lamps out after 11 months. My plan is to change 2 every 2 weeks so by the time I get all six changed it will be 12 months.

I may change my habit with the standard HO ballsts, Europeons tend to let them go for 18 months on changes, I may try that and see, but for the most part I am comfortable changing them at 12 months.

Originally Posted by Reefdaddy

I may change my habit with the standard HO ballsts, Europeons tend to let them go for 18 months on changes, I may try that and see, but for the most part I am comfortable changing them at 12 months.

So every 12 months is recomented.

I buy the cheapest crappest lamps for my 250w MH and change then in all honesty , when i can be bothered."lamps are 20 dollars each"
"although i do clean the lamp and reflector every month"

Originally Posted by Thinkin Reef

I buy the cheapest crappest lamps for my 250w MH and change then in all honesty , when i can be bothered."lamps are 20 dollars each"
"although i do clean the lamp and reflector every month"

Aquamedic MH lambs are so expensive 90 dollars each plus the 4 X 80W T5

LOL imo , you can keep all the special ,photo tonic super special megga 18k or 20k or 14K radium sun lens,super bright special reef sensational globes etc etc.

All too expensive for me

I use cheap 14k "20 buck AUD" MH
And actinics and 10,000k 55w tubes "what ever i can get cheap AUD"

All works fine
I bought some expensive globes once , and "it did jack $*it for me"

Originally Posted by Thinkin Reef

LOL imo , you can keep all the special ,photo tonic super special megga 18k or 20k or 14K radium sun lens,super bright special reef sensational globes etc etc.

All too expensive for me

I use cheap 14k "20 buck AUD" MH
And actinics and 10,000k 55w tubes "what ever i can get cheap AUD"

All works fine
I bought some expensive globes once , and "it did jack $*it for me"

I am trying to forget how much i paid for my aquamedic lighting . i should have risk for the led system .

Is it HQI? If so it can take any bulb that is Double ended. I know thier Pendents are that way.

Originally Posted by reefdaddy

is it hqi? If so it can take any bulb that is double ended. I know thier pendents are that way.

yes is hqi .

Try a Phoenix Bulb then, they are cheaper then Aqua medics lamps I am sure. There are many out there that rate well and are pretty cheap.

Originally Posted by Reefdaddy

Try a Phoenix Bulb then, they are cheaper then Aqua medics lamps I am sure. There are many out there that rate well and are pretty cheap.

I was going to order through ebay but they dont sent them cause their fragile

Originally Posted by kyriakos

I was going to order through ebay but they dont sent them cause their fragile

that's too bad... ...sorry for laughing but you make me laugh...you try so hard to get a deal but have all these obstacles that keep you from saving money...it just stinks! I'm telling 'ya you need to move to the states!

try premium Aquatics, I know they shipped to bahamas so I beleive they ship international. Just be sure specify your in Euro volts rather then American.

I change most kinds of lamps once per year (MH, NO, VHO, or T5). PC's I have to change every 6-9 months, but I rarely use them.