How often change light bulbs?

[Lance M.]

Just wondering how often to change the light bulbs? I just replaced them after about 8 months of use and you can very easily see the difference in brightness.

 

[RMPD109]

What type of bulbs are you replacing? PC, VHO, NO or MH?

I go about 9 months on my PC but a lot of people suggest 6 months.

 

[malkore]

Normal output flourescents - 9 to 12 months with an average 10-12 hours a day of use.
Over driven fluorescents, about every 6 months.
VHO - same as normal fluoro's
Power compacts - use them until they burn out (seriously...you need not replace these until they stop working)

 

[grimlock3000]

Power compacts - use them until they burn out (seriously...you need not replace these until they stop working)

Would you say this only applies to FW tanks and not SW?

 

[Lance M.]

The light hood I have is for reg. light bulbs, but I got these flourescent light bulbs to fit in the sockets. It give more light my tank and has full spectrum lighting.

 

[Bearfan]

Power compacts - use them until they burn out (seriously...you need not replace these until they stop working)

Would you say this only applies to FW tanks and not SW?

I replace my SW PCs yearly and my FW PCs yearly, I notice a growth increase in my FW when I do.

 

[malkore]

grimlock,

Yes, only for FW. corals and other marine life is MUCH more affected by the loss in spectrum that any bulb goes through over the course of a year, so SW bulbs should be replaced annually (assuming its not a FO setup).

Bearfan,

I'm sure you do see an increase in growth...PC bulbs do lose some intensity and spectrum, just a slower rate than NO bulbs. I just know that a lot of plant keepers run their bulbs for 2 years until they burn out, and they still grow great looking plants, including stuff like glosso.
I figure I'm saving $80 by not buying new bulbs this year, so it's worth experimenting with 12+ month old bulbs.

For once, something in this hobby isn't costing me an arm and a leg to try out!