woooooo lights

[ReefWannabe]

Ok finally.. I got my lights today from a local reefer!!! The guy was really cool, we talked at his house for like 4 hours lol. he gave me alot of first-hand knowledge hes picked up, and some donts that hes learned.
I got a dual 175 MH with magnetic ballast and 2 vho 48 inch for $280

I have to buy new vho bulbs. He gave me 2 sets of MH bulbs. 1 set is true 10000K and the otehr set is 12000K. He said he switched them back and forth for a bit until he decided he liked the 10k better. The bulbs are 4 months old.

How long do mh bulbs with magnetic ballast usually last?
and should I clean them with alcohol and let them air dry since they've been touched on the way home??

 

[jhnrb]

Good buy for sure. it you touched the bulbs with your hands you need to wipe them off with something soft that will remove any body oils, finger prints etc. I guess the alcohol would do it, but, id just wipe them off carefully. since you have a 10000k and 12000k, maybe put one of each in until you decide which you like. the 1200k will be a bit bluer. Mh last apprx. 1 year on an 8 to 10 hour photoperiod and maybe a bit longer on a 4 to 6 hour photo period. I would recommend changing out though at least once per year. just my thoughts. good luck. nice buy.

 

[ReefWannabe]

ok cool. yeah Ive already decided I like to 10k much better. I Plugged it up and had my g/f hold it over the tank so I could see it lol.

 

[jhnrb]

mh need apprx. 15 min. to come up to full intensity and spectrum, so I am assuming you allowed the bulbs to come up to full temperature and stabilize before comparison. just an after thought.

 

[ReefWannabe]

actually no, i didnt think it was that long. I had noticed the 12k looked a little yellower in the tank and the 10k looked crystal white/clear. ill try them again tonight and give proper warmup time.