How often to change my Reeflux SE250s

[jroescher]

...they are still efficient at 18 months but requrie more electricy to function. Just my $ 0.25...

How do you supply more electricity?

[JimD]

lol, You dont, I think he means they're not as energy efficiant as they may have been when they are new..

[FossilReef]

What do you mean by 'dont preform'?
12k's start out fairly week, the older they get, the weeker they get, similar to most 20k's. 10k's on the other hand, are very bright white/yellowish depending on the bulb, thus the need for actinics. Its not surprizing that youre changing the 12k's out so frequently. Big difference between the two. If youre sevicing systems that require high light like an sps tank, Id switch to 10k's, if youre servicing tanks that just require economy and ok color, stick with the 12k's.

I mean that they don't even perform up to the par values as listed by the manufacturer. I think that maybe 1 in 5 or 6 bulbs actually made that standard. I appreciate what that you're trying to be helpful, but I have a lot of experience with lighting. It's not exactly economy when you're replacing the bulbs more often like that, hence one reason why we stopped carrying CoralVue products.

[alton]

FossilReef what type of ballast where you using? MAg., Electro-mag, or Electronic?