bulb lifespan

Sooner · 03/09/2016, 02:12 PM

So, in my previous tank I had Compact Fluorescents. My current tank I have HO T5's. What is the approximate lifespan of these bulbs? I know it depends on the number of hours you run them - currently I have a single purple bulb that runs 10 hours. My actinics come on for 9 hours and my white daylight bulbs are on for 8 hours.

tinfoilhate · 03/09/2016, 04:05 PM

I most commonly hear 9 months.

clearaquariums · 03/20/2016, 10:27 PM

i wouldnt go over 10 months

Ron Reefman · 03/22/2016, 10:18 AM

They can run for years.

I know, that's not what you were asking about! The issue is, when does the spectrum of a bulb turn red enough to encourage algae growth? That depends on your tank. If you are already close to having an algae outbreak, a 6 month old bulb might just push your tank over the edge and start growing algae. If your tank is far from having any algae issues, you could run a t5 for 2 years and not have any algae issues. Back when I had t5's I went 1 year and never had any algae issues at all.

cloak · 03/22/2016, 10:24 AM

I'm only running actinic bulbs at the moment, but I usually replace these once every year without any problems. If I was using Coral Plus bulbs or anything else I would do the same.

azjohnny · 03/22/2016, 10:54 AM

When I was running halides on my tank, I went to 15 months and to the human eye the color looked good, i took some pictures and noticed a purple hue and changed the bulbs. The color shift is very subtle to the human eye

03/09/2016, 02:12 PM	#1
Sooner Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 163	bulb lifespan So, in my previous tank I had Compact Fluorescents. My current tank I have HO T5's. What is the approximate lifespan of these bulbs? I know it depends on the number of hours you run them - currently I have a single purple bulb that runs 10 hours. My actinics come on for 9 hours and my white daylight bulbs are on for 8 hours. __________________ Go Sooners! #1 Current Tank Info: 150H Oceanic RR, custom reef sump, Aquatec 6 bulb HO T5 strip, about 40lbs. live Rock, a few small corals and a few fish and inverts

03/22/2016, 10:18 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	They can run for years. I know, that's not what you were asking about! The issue is, when does the spectrum of a bulb turn red enough to encourage algae growth? That depends on your tank. If you are already close to having an algae outbreak, a 6 month old bulb might just push your tank over the edge and start growing algae. If your tank is far from having any algae issues, you could run a t5 for 2 years and not have any algae issues. Back when I had t5's I went 1 year and never had any algae issues at all. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

03/09/2016, 04:05 PM	#2
tinfoilhate Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 61	I most commonly hear 9 months.

03/20/2016, 10:27 PM	#3
clearaquariums Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 59	i wouldnt go over 10 months

03/22/2016, 10:24 AM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I'm only running actinic bulbs at the moment, but I usually replace these once every year without any problems. If I was using Coral Plus bulbs or anything else I would do the same.

03/22/2016, 10:54 AM	#6
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	When I was running halides on my tank, I went to 15 months and to the human eye the color looked good, i took some pictures and noticed a purple hue and changed the bulbs. The color shift is very subtle to the human eye