HQI burn in time

[sharkbait]

I should know this but for the life of me I can not remember. How long should I let a brand new HQI bulb burn in before I put it over my tank? Tanks in advance for any responses.

 

[texhorns98]

Well color me stupid, because I didn't know you had to do this! I just put halides on my tank and didn't let them burn in at all. Everything looks OK though (knocks on wood).

 

[sharkbait]

texhorns98;615786 wrote: Well color me stupid, because I didn't know you had to do this! I just put halides on my tank and didn't let them burn in at all. Everything looks OK though (knocks on wood).

I think all MH have to be burned in for the correct spectrum to be produced. At least that is what I am under the impression. As for T5's im not sure. PC I know don't need it.

 

[texhorns98]

Sharkbait;615791 wrote: I think all MH have to be burned in for the correct spectrum to be produced. At least that is what I am under the impression. As for T5's im not sure. PC I know don't need it.

Correct COLOR spectrum, I've heard about. But as far as being "able" to put it over your tank, I have not. I'm hoping you misunderstood something!

 

[Jaycen B.]

Sharkbait;615791 wrote: I think all MH have to be burned in for the correct spectrum to be produced. At least that is what I am under the impression. As for T5's im not sure. PC I know don't need it.

Do you think this may have to do to the quality of the bulb? I have seen a big change in some bulbs and not others. ? I just slap em on the tank,

 

[acroholic]

Never done that myself. Just put them in the fixture and turn them on.

 

[sharkbait]

Jaycen B.;615795 wrote: Do you think this may have to do to the quality of the bulb? I have seen a big change in some bulbs and not others. ? I just slap em on the tank,

It is a ELOS 20k HQI so I think the quality is pretty good....

 

[schwaggs]

I never heard of, and have never burned them in before placing over the tank. Just install them and go. People say they take time to achieve "normal" color spectrum but I have never really noticed that with the 250W Phoenix 14K DE bulbs that I use...