How long does a HQI (DE) bulb last?

[pookstreet]

I am trying to figure out when to change out my 250W Phoenix bulb. The bulb is pushing 10 months at an average of 8 hours a day. I know this is a pretty popular bulb, so when do you guys change yours? What's the recommendation? I think the reefgeek.com website says to change around 12 months. Do most DE bulbs have approximately the same lifespan? Thanks.

 

[ScotchMaster]

I heard the pheonix lasting 12 months easy...

 

[gcarroll]

I have heard the same thing however I have changed my DE bulbs every 6-8 months, because of trying something new. It has left me with a large supply of spare bulbs. I wonder what I should try next?

 

[ScotchMaster]

gcarroll - what are your favorite bulbs so far and what have you tried?

 

[pookstreet]

Greg, are you still using the Phoenix. I recall a while back that you tried the Ushio Nepturian sp? bulb.

 

[gcarroll]

Personally I like the Ushio 14K the best. That is because I prefer the 10K look. The problem is that with unsupplemented 10K, you don't get the ooooos and aaahhhs from your friends that you get when running a blue (magic) bulb. The BLV bulbs were incredible, however since my rock is not very high in the tank, I slowly lost color. The Phoenix is still my choice because you get the ooooos and aaaahs of the 20K and the PAR of the 10K. So, right now I'm using the Phoenix but may go back to the Ushio 14K or try the BLV 10k next.

 

[saltyESQ]

sorry for the hijack
I will soon need a 70w hqi, any suggestions on what kind of bulb to get? I don't know anything about hqi bulbs. it is for my 24g AP.
thanks, mike

 

[ScotchMaster]

astralux makes a nice 14k bulb in 70 watt

 

[pookstreet]

Greg, based on your past experience, do you think the Ushio 14K and the Phoenix have comparable PAR values, or is one higher than the other? I do run T5 HO supplement so I might be interested in trying the Ushio if it gives better results in terms of growth. Thanks.

 

[Yellow world]

It is depended on which ballast (magnetic/electronic) you use?

 

[Yinger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7730480#post7730480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yellow world
It is depended on which ballast (magnetic/electronic) you use?

hey young, how long will those phoenix last on an icecap electronic ballast?

 

[wishntoboutside]

hmm am i wrong i was told by hamilton, that bulbs are good for 15 to 18 months before changing?

 

[pookstreet]

Man, wouldn't that be nice if we can use our bulbs for a year and a half before changing them.

 

[Yellow world]

Yinger,
On the electronic ballast is around 8 -12 months.
On the magnetic ballast is around 6-8 months (it drives the bulbs more brighter).

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7729202#post7729202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Greg, based on your past experience, do you think the Ushio 14K and the Phoenix have comparable PAR values, or is one higher than the other? I do run T5 HO supplement so I might be interested in trying the Ushio if it gives better results in terms of growth. Thanks.

Based on my experience, the Ushio is much brighter than the Phoenix, however Sanjay's test show different. It left me thinking that they may have tested a defective bulb.

 

[pookstreet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7741457#post7741457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gcarroll
Based on my experience, the Ushio is much brighter than the Phoenix, however Sanjay's test show different. It left me thinking that they may have tested a defective bulb.

Have you noticed any significant difference in terms of coral growth between the Ushio and the Phoenix? Thanks.

 

[gcarroll]

The growth difference is noticeable. I would not say that it is much better though. But I never ran the bulbs for more than 7 hours per day. I normally run the Phoenix for 9 hours except for summer.