When do you change light blubs

[Reefer0513]

I have a a coralife lighting system with metal halide and compact fluorescents. My questions are when do you change these light bulbs and when you change them and what type of lighhting specturm should I use. What is the lighting schedule I should use to keep them from burning my corals or hurting any tank inhabitants?

Tank specifications
125 gallon reef tank with 110 gallon sump
Lighting metal halide

1 fox face
1 yellow back damsel
1 tomato clownfish
2 bulb tip anemones
3 chromis
1 flowerpot coral
1 bubble coral
2 leather coral
1 acropora
1 brain coral

[PhotoJohn]

the fish dont really matter in the lighting equation.

The lights should be changed every year generally speaking. They color shift and dims and after a year it shifts to far and can cause excessive algae growth.

I personally like the look of super actinics 420nm and 10-20k bulbs. I like the deep blues. Its totally a personal preference.

[CarmieJo]

Regarding your corals, how many MH and what watts?