Bulb life....

SeedlessOne · 05/06/2013, 05:34 PM

So I would love to start a discussion on how long we should run our bulbs before replacing them.

I know the standard answer is 12 months....but why?

Spectrum shift? The sun kelven I believe is 5100k. So you are trying to tell me we are shifting that much? Negative... The ocean seems to do just fine with a spectrum that low.

Dimmer? Even if I lost 30% which is a huge shift I would still grow corals like crazy with my ATI. So negative on that one as well.

So with that said does anyone have any links with actual real testing on t5 bulb's life expectancy?

Maybe I just going at this all the wrong way but I'm starting to get the feeling we are replacing our bulbs to early.

gone fishin · 05/06/2013, 05:42 PM

I'm sorry I can't offer any links to studies but I change mine past the one year mark.

SeedlessOne · 05/06/2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

I'm sorry I can't offer any links to studies but I change mine past the one year mark.

That's what the norm is. But Ive yet to see real facts. I'm sure I'm just being dumb here but it's got me thinking.

gone fishin · 05/06/2013, 05:52 PM

I believe the ones I am running now are about 18 months. I don't see any problems. I believe if one buys a good quality bulb they should get more than 6months out of it.

sirreal63 · 05/06/2013, 06:10 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1641235

This may help.

johnwick · 05/06/2013, 07:48 PM

I don't have a link but obviously people have done tests with PAR meters and corals need a specific range

05/06/2013, 05:34 PM	#1
SeedlessOne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pooler, GA Posts: 887	Bulb life.... So I would love to start a discussion on how long we should run our bulbs before replacing them. I know the standard answer is 12 months....but why? Spectrum shift? The sun kelven I believe is 5100k. So you are trying to tell me we are shifting that much? Negative... The ocean seems to do just fine with a spectrum that low. Dimmer? Even if I lost 30% which is a huge shift I would still grow corals like crazy with my ATI. So negative on that one as well. So with that said does anyone have any links with actual real testing on t5 bulb's life expectancy? Maybe I just going at this all the wrong way but I'm starting to get the feeling we are replacing our bulbs to early.

05/06/2013, 05:42 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I'm sorry I can't offer any links to studies but I change mine past the one year mark. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

05/06/2013, 05:52 PM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I believe the ones I am running now are about 18 months. I don't see any problems. I believe if one buys a good quality bulb they should get more than 6months out of it. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

05/06/2013, 06:10 PM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1641235 This may help. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/06/2013, 07:48 PM	#6
johnwick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 80	I don't have a link but obviously people have done tests with PAR meters and corals need a specific range