T-5 Bulb Life

krzyphsygy · 06/13/2014, 08:48 PM

How can you tell when you need new bulbs? I know that some say 9-12 months. Others say 18 months. How do you know? Is there something to look for that will tell me when I need to replace? I have been doing it at 1 year but feel like I can wait longer.

SPS_77493 · 06/13/2014, 09:36 PM

I don't run them more than 8 months.

My tank is mostly SPS.

DiscusHeckel · 06/14/2014, 03:34 AM

IMO, longevity of T5 bulbs depends on the type of T5 you use, how they are driven (i.e. the type of ballast used) and whether or not they are used under optimum temperature setting (i.e. 35C at over the cool spot).

I use an ATI sunpower unit and replace my ATI tubes after 10-12 months. I own a quantum meter and a lux meter. I measure both lux and PAR outputs of my tubes, and make an informed decision on the timing of tube replacement. Specifically, I have to lower my light unit every so often to ensure that its PAR output remains within my target range. I replace my tubes when the unit gets very close to the surface (e.g. 3" above the water surface).

Hope this helps.

Robb in Austin · 06/14/2014, 06:01 AM

Anecdotal at best but...I only replace mine when they burn out. Never saw any trouble in my tank from doing it that way.

krzyphsygy · 06/14/2014, 08:08 AM

Yea, I run a ati Sunpower 6 bulb 80watt. My tank is 90 percent sps as well. My tank seems fine. Good growth. A par meter would be ideal. Where can I get one? What type or brand ect?
Sometimes I feel that the retailers just put it out there for replacement life to make more money. But a par value would not lie.

Robb in Austin · 06/14/2014, 10:55 AM

Apogee seems to be a popular brand.

Be warned, if you are in a local club and if word gets out, you'll become very popular.

Good reading here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/equipment

DiscusHeckel · 06/14/2014, 12:10 PM

I use Apogee too. However, I bought only the sensor and connected it to a multi-meter. I multiply multi-meter readings by 5 to get the equivalent mmol readings. This set up costs a lot less than buying the whole package (i.e. sensor with its own apogee meter).

Just a thought...

Robb in Austin · 06/14/2014, 03:23 PM

I'm curious about that. What reading do you get on the multimeter? What unit of measurement?

Edit: found some info. Interesting!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2065340

06/13/2014, 08:48 PM	#1
krzyphsygy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,148	T-5 Bulb Life How can you tell when you need new bulbs? I know that some say 9-12 months. Others say 18 months. How do you know? Is there something to look for that will tell me when I need to replace? I have been doing it at 1 year but feel like I can wait longer.

06/14/2014, 03:34 AM	#3
DiscusHeckel Acropora Gardener Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 2,780	IMO, longevity of T5 bulbs depends on the type of T5 you use, how they are driven (i.e. the type of ballast used) and whether or not they are used under optimum temperature setting (i.e. 35C at over the cool spot). I use an ATI sunpower unit and replace my ATI tubes after 10-12 months. I own a quantum meter and a lux meter. I measure both lux and PAR outputs of my tubes, and make an informed decision on the timing of tube replacement. Specifically, I have to lower my light unit every so often to ensure that its PAR output remains within my target range. I replace my tubes when the unit gets very close to the surface (e.g. 3" above the water surface). Hope this helps. __________________ Featured Tank OCT 2016 \| "Reef Hobbyist Magazine" TOTM OCT 2016 \| "Ultimate Reef", UK FB \| "/troutsReefTank/" 65G SPS Reef- ATI 8 X 39W PM; TM [Bacto-Balance A-; Reef Actif; Nitribiotic; Iodine]

06/14/2014, 10:55 AM	#6
Robb in Austin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgetown, Tx Posts: 1,016	Apogee seems to be a popular brand. Be warned, if you are in a local club and if word gets out, you'll become very popular. Good reading here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/equipment Last edited by Robb in Austin; 06/14/2014 at 11:12 AM.

06/14/2014, 12:10 PM	#7
DiscusHeckel Acropora Gardener Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 2,780	I use Apogee too. However, I bought only the sensor and connected it to a multi-meter. I multiply multi-meter readings by 5 to get the equivalent mmol readings. This set up costs a lot less than buying the whole package (i.e. sensor with its own apogee meter). Just a thought... __________________ Featured Tank OCT 2016 \| "Reef Hobbyist Magazine" TOTM OCT 2016 \| "Ultimate Reef", UK FB \| "/troutsReefTank/" 65G SPS Reef- ATI 8 X 39W PM; TM [Bacto-Balance A-; Reef Actif; Nitribiotic; Iodine]

06/13/2014, 09:36 PM	#2
SPS_77493 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 172	I don't run them more than 8 months. My tank is mostly SPS.

06/14/2014, 06:01 AM	#4
Robb in Austin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgetown, Tx Posts: 1,016	Anecdotal at best but...I only replace mine when they burn out. Never saw any trouble in my tank from doing it that way.

06/14/2014, 08:08 AM	#5
krzyphsygy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,148	Yea, I run a ati Sunpower 6 bulb 80watt. My tank is 90 percent sps as well. My tank seems fine. Good growth. A par meter would be ideal. Where can I get one? What type or brand ect? Sometimes I feel that the retailers just put it out there for replacement life to make more money. But a par value would not lie.

06/14/2014, 03:23 PM	#8
Robb in Austin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgetown, Tx Posts: 1,016	I'm curious about that. What reading do you get on the multimeter? What unit of measurement? Edit: found some info. Interesting! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2065340