MH's

[DrGonzo]

How long do MH bulbs usually last? One of mine just went out after about 6 months.

 

[pecan2phat]

Most hobbiest change them out anywhere between 9 months to a year but that is just for the degrading spectrum output. A defect free bulb should still fire after 18 months.

 

[DrGonzo]

Do you think I should replace both bulbs? I feel like replacing just one will mismatch the spectrum.

 

[pecan2phat]

You should purchase two and just replace the blown one and schedule the other for a couple weeks later (I would do 2) so that the corals are not stressed. Then mark the used bulb with "6 months used" and keep it as a backup.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

There are quite a few variables with Mh bulbs. You didnt state how long of a daily photo period you were using ? Were your bulbs/fixture correctly vented ?
I would stager replacing them as well. Be carefull when replacing the bulbs...there pars will be much greater than the ones that previously burnt out. Use shading(egg crate, screen material, or dimmable ballast) and slowly get your animals adjusted to there new bulbs.....:splitspin

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

If at all possible borrow a par meter and get a Begining reading of your tank. This will give you a starting point. After 6 months I would start testing again for dropoff....This helps tremendously...

 

[masterswimmer]

Most hobbiest change them out anywhere between 9 months to a year but that is just for the degrading spectrum output. A defect free bulb should still fire after 18 months.

Absolutely agree with Warren here.

If your bulb stopped firing after 6 months, it's VERY possible you've got another problem going on. Did you put the good bulb in the sockets that the dead bulb came out of? Just to test the sockets.

swimmer

 

[DrGonzo]

The bulb starting firing up again on its own. It seems like it decided to take a day off.

 

[masterswimmer]

The bulb starting firing up again on its own. It seems like it decided to take a day off.

Electrical components don't have a mind of their own to 'take a day off'. Please look into the reason it misfired and correct it. I don't want to hear that you had a bigger problem

swimmer

 

[DrGonzo]

Yeah, I know you're right. Everything looks ok. Could the ballast getting hot cause one of the lamps to turn off?

Electrical components don't have a mind of their own to 'take a day off'. Please look into the reason it misfired and correct it. I don't want to hear that you had a bigger problem

swimmer

 

[masterswimmer]

Yeah, I know you're right. Everything looks ok. Could the ballast getting hot cause one of the lamps to turn off?

The ballast getting hot could have actually have caused the ballasts' breaker to trip. I would have thought that you'd have to manually reset the breaker though. Nevertheless, if the ballast ran too hot, you need to find out why.