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View Full Version : HQI bulb burnt out?


impreza
02-07-2006, 09:35 PM
Hi,

How do you know if your HQI bulb burnt out?

This morning, my light didn't come on. I checked the timer, it's fine. How do I know if the bulb is burnt out or there is something wrong with the ballast? The bulb is only about 8months old (EVC Tech bulb).

Also, how long can I go without a light? If I order a bulb today, it won't be here for at least a couple days... I have mainly zoo's and other softies.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Bob I
02-07-2006, 09:49 PM
Check with me. I have a used 150W Coralife 10000K bulb you could try. I also have a brand new Coralife 10000K bulb I can sell.:mrgreen:

impreza
02-07-2006, 09:54 PM
woops! Thanks Bob, but I forgot to mention that I have a 250W fixture.

TheReefGeek
02-07-2006, 09:58 PM
You can go quite a while without light, imaging a multi-day storm in nature.

If you bulb is coming in a couple days dont worry about it. If you want light for your fishies to see by, that might be a good idea, use a work light or trouble light or anything else handy.

impreza
02-07-2006, 09:59 PM
Cool, thanks, just wanting to make sure my corals don't all die on me!

OCDP
02-07-2006, 10:00 PM
Not to hijack, but while we're on the subject:

How long can a tank with SPS/Clam/Anemone/Softies go without light? What's the absolute longest amount of time in your guy's opinion?

(sorry)

TheReefGeek
02-07-2006, 10:10 PM
Fortunately, I have never had to find out, beyone some short power outages.

And I dont' want to test. :mrgreen:

It would also depend on the original health of the animals, how max zooanthae (spelling?) they have, how well fed they are, etc.

Corals and anemones ship quite a long ways, how long is that without light?

Willow
02-07-2006, 10:14 PM
i would imagine your fine for a few days, corals go thru at least that during shipping.

impreza
02-07-2006, 10:23 PM
Is it common for an HQI bulb to just stop working after only 8months? Don't some people use their bulbs for well over a year? I know some people have bulbs that are still working fine but only replace them because of the loss in intensity, not because they burnt out.

EmilyB
02-07-2006, 10:33 PM
Scott, I've gone four days with no problems, just bring the lighting duration back up slowly.

Jonathan, I've never run any HQI longer than eight months, so in my case I don't really know how long they last.

Matt
02-08-2006, 12:04 AM
Check with me. I have a used 150W Coralife 10000K bulb you could try. I also have a brand new Coralife 10000K bulb I can sell.:mrgreen:Bob, what do you want for that bulb? I'll need one eventually.
Matt