Lifespan of T5 HO bulbs?

G13 · 11/19/2006, 06:53 PM

I've read between 10 months to 2 yrs. Anybody know for sure?

fishnut321 · 11/19/2006, 09:43 PM

i think it depends on the ballast, some overdrive the bulbs

G13 · 11/19/2006, 10:04 PM

I was thinking of getting the Nova fixture. Any idea on the lifespan for the bulbs on that fixture?

Bebo77 · 11/19/2006, 10:15 PM

9-12 months...

neyugn0w01 · 11/19/2006, 10:24 PM

8-10 months is the best. you can go as long as 1.5, but color and growth will suffer. trust me on the second part. will never do that again.

hahnmeister · 11/20/2006, 01:28 AM

Proper cooling will also prolong the life of the bulbs. OVerdriving them with Icecap ballasts, or running them w/o fans for cooling (yep, even a tek doesnt do this) will rob them of output and longevity.

With T5s, there is no way to tell it seems. I would seriously consider buying at least a Lux meter so you can keep track of the bulb life yourself. A good lux meter can be had for under $100, and if you buy it with some others (like in a local club), it easily pays for itself. If you have the money to spare, a PAR meter is even better calibrated to the full spectrum (Lux meters arent as sensitive to blue so they arent the best for measuring aquarium light output), but a PAR meter will cost you $250 from Apogee.

The reason I say 'it depends' is because everyone is reporting varying longevity. Different mfg's use different phosphors, and have varying results. Some bulbs by CoralVue dont last long, some by ATI/Aqua-science do. Bulb K temp also plays a role... an actinic will not last as long as a sun or daylight bulb... thats just the way it is. And then throw in cooling/heat, and the type of ballast... and results can vary wildly. I know one guy who is on his 3rd year with old GE 6500Ks and G-man blue+ bulbs. I also hear of people wanting to swap out their bulbs every 6-9 months.

Thats why I think owning your own meter is the only way to know for sure.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=973215

11/19/2006, 06:53 PM	#1
G13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 810	Lifespan of T5 HO bulbs? I've read between 10 months to 2 yrs. Anybody know for sure?

11/19/2006, 10:15 PM	#4
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	9-12 months... __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

11/19/2006, 09:43 PM	#2
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	i think it depends on the ballast, some overdrive the bulbs

11/19/2006, 10:04 PM	#3
G13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 810	I was thinking of getting the Nova fixture. Any idea on the lifespan for the bulbs on that fixture?

11/19/2006, 10:24 PM	#5
neyugn0w01 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 892	8-10 months is the best. you can go as long as 1.5, but color and growth will suffer. trust me on the second part. will never do that again.

11/20/2006, 01:28 AM	#6
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Proper cooling will also prolong the life of the bulbs. OVerdriving them with Icecap ballasts, or running them w/o fans for cooling (yep, even a tek doesnt do this) will rob them of output and longevity. With T5s, there is no way to tell it seems. I would seriously consider buying at least a Lux meter so you can keep track of the bulb life yourself. A good lux meter can be had for under $100, and if you buy it with some others (like in a local club), it easily pays for itself. If you have the money to spare, a PAR meter is even better calibrated to the full spectrum (Lux meters arent as sensitive to blue so they arent the best for measuring aquarium light output), but a PAR meter will cost you $250 from Apogee. The reason I say 'it depends' is because everyone is reporting varying longevity. Different mfg's use different phosphors, and have varying results. Some bulbs by CoralVue dont last long, some by ATI/Aqua-science do. Bulb K temp also plays a role... an actinic will not last as long as a sun or daylight bulb... thats just the way it is. And then throw in cooling/heat, and the type of ballast... and results can vary wildly. I know one guy who is on his 3rd year with old GE 6500Ks and G-man blue+ bulbs. I also hear of people wanting to swap out their bulbs every 6-9 months. Thats why I think owning your own meter is the only way to know for sure. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=973215