ATI Blue plus bulb life

SlowCobra · 07/19/2009, 04:56 PM

What is everyone seeing for bulb life out of these?

reefkeeper2 · 07/19/2009, 06:10 PM

Definately less than one year. I will be changing mine out at 10 months if not sooner.

silverwolf72 · 07/19/2009, 08:17 PM

I just replaced one my other bulbs with a AB. I have another AB that has been running for almost 18 months, the new bulb looked a bit brighter than the old one but after about 2 weeks they both look the same. No PAR numbers so not really much of a test.

SlowCobra · 07/20/2009, 02:24 PM

So out of all the people on this site only 2 others run a blue plus?!?

nanojg · 07/20/2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SlowCobra
So out of all the people on this site only 2 others run a blue plus?!?

Yep, only 3 people on RC run the ati blu plus. VERY unpopular bulb

SlowCobra · 07/20/2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nanojg
Yep, only 3 people on RC run the ati blu plus. VERY unpopular bulb

Is that so? Hmm then why does GrimReefer recommend it?

sunsetSPS · 07/20/2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nanojg
Yep, only 3 people on RC run the ati blu plus. VERY unpopular bulb

Using reef language it's very RARE bulb.

JRechcygl · 07/20/2009, 03:49 PM

I would say 4500 hours of life is a good start to change... Some people use LUX meters and change according to that... Others do yearly, some stretch them further...

Rare bulb huh? Just answer the dudes question....
It is a popular lamp, at least I know many people that run them. Better PAR than the Giesemann equivilent.

gorey · 07/20/2009, 04:06 PM

I have a 2 bulb t5 setup and I was told by Premium Aquatics to run 1 blue plus and 1 Aqua blue. Then I asked Grim Reefer what he thought and he suggested the Blue plus in front and a Fiji purple in the back. So im thinking it is a pretty awesome bulb IMHO...But I am only running a 2 bulb set up so what do I know!!

detroit_fan · 07/20/2009, 04:09 PM

where are people gettting the impression that the ATI Blue+ bulb isn't very widely used? I'd say 90% of the T5 users I know use this bulb in their combo. As for life, are you overdriving with an ice cap ballast or normal wattage?

rbnice1 · 07/20/2009, 06:04 PM

I believe the rare bulb comment was sarcasm....

Blue+ is probably second to only atinic in bulbs sold.

I have 4 2 bulb units on my 90 plus 2 250watt mh's

I have 2 atinic 1 blue+, and 1 fuji purple. The blue+ and fuji are together and really make a cool color light. Very blue but the purple helps any reds pop.

SlowCobra · 07/20/2009, 06:14 PM

I just want to know what people are getting, time wise, out of the bulbs. I keep going through them, much quicker than I should be.

I want to know if it is an issue with the bulbs or do I need to tear apart the setups on 2 different tanks in 2 different locations to find a reason as to why they keep breaking the glass, burning out, and generally having a short life span.

nanojg · 07/21/2009, 07:09 AM

How are you going through them? are you noticing a change in color, are they not firing, are you testing the light output (lumens or par)?

I think Grim has said normally bulbs will lose a noticable amount of intensity after nine months, but most people change at the one year mark.

Are you overdriving them? are you cooling the bulbs? the ballast?

ps, yes it was sarcasim

mordibv · 07/21/2009, 08:01 AM

Just a quess .
I would say that the bulbs you are going through are not ATI bulbs but another brand . Like Currrent or Off brand ebay bulb which are known for going out in spans of 1 month to 4 + . As far as the cracking or breaking glass that appears to be a cooling issue or u have your lights to close to another heat source .
BTW ATI bulbs rock .
I changed out at 10 months (ice cap overdriven )
The blue plus run on regulat HO were changed out around 13 months .

kretzkiller · 07/21/2009, 08:07 AM

yah, apparently no one has a sarcasm radar..

kretzkiller · 07/21/2009, 08:08 AM

why don't you ask this question in the t5 Q&A?

07/19/2009, 04:56 PM	#1
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	ATI Blue plus bulb life What is everyone seeing for bulb life out of these?

07/19/2009, 06:10 PM	#2
reefkeeper2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bridgewater, MA Posts: 1,234	Definately less than one year. I will be changing mine out at 10 months if not sooner. __________________ Paul Dec 08 TOTM Current Tank Info: Envisions 427gal

07/20/2009, 03:49 PM	#8
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	I would say 4500 hours of life is a good start to change... Some people use LUX meters and change according to that... Others do yearly, some stretch them further... Rare bulb huh? Just answer the dudes question.... It is a popular lamp, at least I know many people that run them. Better PAR than the Giesemann equivilent. __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef

07/20/2009, 04:06 PM	#9
gorey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 292	I have a 2 bulb t5 setup and I was told by Premium Aquatics to run 1 blue plus and 1 Aqua blue. Then I asked Grim Reefer what he thought and he suggested the Blue plus in front and a Fiji purple in the back. So im thinking it is a pretty awesome bulb IMHO...But I am only running a 2 bulb set up so what do I know!! __________________ There is fine line between a hobby and an obsession Current Tank Info: 75g AGA 30g/ sump vertex 100 skimmer. Yellow tang, 2 clowns, cardnial, royal gamma, six line

07/20/2009, 04:09 PM	#10
detroit_fan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 843	where are people gettting the impression that the ATI Blue+ bulb isn't very widely used? I'd say 90% of the T5 users I know use this bulb in their combo. As for life, are you overdriving with an ice cap ballast or normal wattage? __________________ Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. B.Franklin We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home-T.Jefferson Current Tank Info: 125g & 29g

07/19/2009, 08:17 PM	#3
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	I just replaced one my other bulbs with a AB. I have another AB that has been running for almost 18 months, the new bulb looked a bit brighter than the old one but after about 2 weeks they both look the same. No PAR numbers so not really much of a test.

07/20/2009, 02:24 PM	#4
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	So out of all the people on this site only 2 others run a blue plus?!?

07/20/2009, 06:04 PM	#11
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	I believe the rare bulb comment was sarcasm.... Blue+ is probably second to only atinic in bulbs sold. I have 4 2 bulb units on my 90 plus 2 250watt mh's I have 2 atinic 1 blue+, and 1 fuji purple. The blue+ and fuji are together and really make a cool color light. Very blue but the purple helps any reds pop.

07/20/2009, 06:14 PM	#12
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	I just want to know what people are getting, time wise, out of the bulbs. I keep going through them, much quicker than I should be. I want to know if it is an issue with the bulbs or do I need to tear apart the setups on 2 different tanks in 2 different locations to find a reason as to why they keep breaking the glass, burning out, and generally having a short life span.

07/21/2009, 07:09 AM	#13
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	How are you going through them? are you noticing a change in color, are they not firing, are you testing the light output (lumens or par)? I think Grim has said normally bulbs will lose a noticable amount of intensity after nine months, but most people change at the one year mark. Are you overdriving them? are you cooling the bulbs? the ballast? ps, yes it was sarcasim

07/21/2009, 08:01 AM	#14
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	Just a quess . I would say that the bulbs you are going through are not ATI bulbs but another brand . Like Currrent or Off brand ebay bulb which are known for going out in spans of 1 month to 4 + . As far as the cracking or breaking glass that appears to be a cooling issue or u have your lights to close to another heat source . BTW ATI bulbs rock . I changed out at 10 months (ice cap overdriven ) The blue plus run on regulat HO were changed out around 13 months . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM Last edited by mordibv; 07/21/2009 at 08:12 AM.

07/21/2009, 08:07 AM	#15
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	yah, apparently no one has a sarcasm radar..

07/21/2009, 08:08 AM	#16
kretzkiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: KC Posts: 599	why don't you ask this question in the t5 Q&A?