T5 Daylight bulb suddenly changed??

Logzor · 02/03/2008, 10:49 AM

I have a tek light 4x54w with:

aquablue
super actinic
daylight
aquablue

My daylight looks more red than normal, it is usually a bit more white. Now my tank is a bit less bight.

Has the bulb gone bad or something? it is only 2 months old.

All other bulbs and aspects of the fixture are fine.

Logzor · 02/03/2008, 01:04 PM

Anyone?

DarG · 02/03/2008, 02:31 PM

I would make sure that the pin contacts on the bulb are clean and not corroded. Same for the endcap contacts. If everything is fine it's probably the bulb going bad prematurely.

Do you use the acrylic shield? There have been reports of reduced output because of excessive heat build-up with the shield on use. But this would affect all bulbs. Also, excessive heat shortens the life of the bulbs.

No shield and it is possible that some salt spray on the contacts could cause some corrosion.

Logzor · 02/03/2008, 02:36 PM

No shield I will check for corrosion tonight. This is possible.

How should I clean it out?

DarG · 02/03/2008, 02:48 PM

Tough to clean the endcap contacts if they are actually pitted or badly corroded or rusted. You'd probably have to take them apart if they can be dissasembled. Shy of that, Q-tip or small brush maybe.

The pin contacts on the bulb are easier. You could use some barkeepers friend or metal polish if they are bad.

It may just be a matter of cleaning some crud out if no damage has occured. If it's bad enough, you may need to replace the endcaps. If you do find an issue, you should check all the bulbs and endcaps.

May just be a bad bulb though. They do go bad prematurely sometimes.

Sucks that they dont use waterproof endcaps or fan cool the fixture so the shield can stay on without heat building up as much.

Personally, I think you will end up needing a new bulb. I have a feeling that the problem would be with more than one bulb if salt spray was the problem. But, you never know.

Good luck.

02/03/2008, 10:49 AM	#1
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	T5 Daylight bulb suddenly changed?? I have a tek light 4x54w with: aquablue super actinic daylight aquablue My daylight looks more red than normal, it is usually a bit more white. Now my tank is a bit less bight. Has the bulb gone bad or something? it is only 2 months old. All other bulbs and aspects of the fixture are fine.

02/03/2008, 01:04 PM	#2
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Anyone?

02/03/2008, 02:31 PM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I would make sure that the pin contacts on the bulb are clean and not corroded. Same for the endcap contacts. If everything is fine it's probably the bulb going bad prematurely. Do you use the acrylic shield? There have been reports of reduced output because of excessive heat build-up with the shield on use. But this would affect all bulbs. Also, excessive heat shortens the life of the bulbs. No shield and it is possible that some salt spray on the contacts could cause some corrosion.

02/03/2008, 02:36 PM	#4
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	No shield I will check for corrosion tonight. This is possible. How should I clean it out?

02/03/2008, 02:48 PM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Tough to clean the endcap contacts if they are actually pitted or badly corroded or rusted. You'd probably have to take them apart if they can be dissasembled. Shy of that, Q-tip or small brush maybe. The pin contacts on the bulb are easier. You could use some barkeepers friend or metal polish if they are bad. It may just be a matter of cleaning some crud out if no damage has occured. If it's bad enough, you may need to replace the endcaps. If you do find an issue, you should check all the bulbs and endcaps. May just be a bad bulb though. They do go bad prematurely sometimes. Sucks that they dont use waterproof endcaps or fan cool the fixture so the shield can stay on without heat building up as much. Personally, I think you will end up needing a new bulb. I have a feeling that the problem would be with more than one bulb if salt spray was the problem. But, you never know. Good luck.