bulbs?

[viruzjk]

im thinking of purchasing either metal halides or t5 lights for my new tank. how often do u have to change the bulbs if i were using the lights 9 hours a day?
thanks in advance

also my tank that i bought has a canopy on it its only 6" from the water line to the canopy could i fit metal hailed under that? i also have a chiller so im not worried about the water getting to hot. but its only 6"of space

 

[aquaman67]

6 inches is a bit close. I'd say 8 to 10 would be better, not just for heat but to get more light into the tank instead of a "spotlight" effect.

I replace my MH bulbs between 10 and 12 months.

 

[silverwolf72]

I have T5 in about the same amount of space, there prob about 3" off the surface.You'd prob want to get good reflectors for MH and those wouldn't fit under your canopy. T5 change out is mixed some say 18-24 months others say they need changing in 6 months. I'm going to start changing mine out at 18 months.

 

[catfisher]

I replace my T5 HO lights every 12 months.