T5 bulbs

kwpgrooming · 01/10/2009, 09:04 PM

How often should you change the bulbs in T5s? I have had mine a year and was thinking it might be time for new ones but it is hard to tell.

d2mini · 01/10/2009, 10:03 PM

I've heard 10-12 months around here. Sounds like you are due.

emoore · 01/10/2009, 10:04 PM

I change mine out once a year.

Icefire · 01/10/2009, 10:09 PM

was supposed to be 18-24 months

crvz · 01/11/2009, 08:08 AM

With normal ballasts, in the 18-24 month range. If you're running them on icecap ballasts (and overdriving the bulbs), closer to 12-18 months (I swapped my overdriven bulbs at 14 months).

kwpgrooming · 01/11/2009, 09:11 AM

What do you mean by overdriving the bulbs? I just have regular ballast & run my lights 8 hrs a day.

cashman95 · 01/11/2009, 10:13 AM

Loaded Question.........

If you are keeping SPS you are going to want to try and change them out around 10-12 months, seeing how these are light LOVING corals. I think many people with full blown SPS tanks tend to change them out around the 6 month mark.

If you are not keeping SPS then you can easily push the 12-14 month mark. 18 months is just pushing it, and you will have to re-acclimate your corals to te new bulbs.

A light meter will give you the most accurate knowledge of how long YOUR bulbs on YOUR setup will last.

Be prepare for many different answers, as this is a Loaded question.

crvz · 01/11/2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashman95
Loaded Question.........

If you are keeping SPS you are going to want to try and change them out around 10-12 months, seeing how these are light LOVING corals. I think many people with full blown SPS tanks tend to change them out around the 6 month mark.

My tank is predominantly SPS, and I've NEVER heard of someone recommended changing out T5 bulbs after 6 months. I overdrive my bulbs, and I've begun measuring output with a PAR meter, but you can easily run these bulbs for 12 months + regardless of your tank inhabitants. Closer to 2 years if you are keeping lower light corals. I'll agree that theres likely to be many varying responses, but your recommendation seems extremely conservative.

kqpgrooming, overdriving T5 bulbs happens when you use Icecap ballasts. In your case, you're not overdriving them.

kwpgrooming · 01/11/2009, 11:05 AM

Thanks everyone. I sure have learned a ton of info from you guys. I probably would have given up on this hobby had it not been for this message board.

Gdevine · 01/11/2009, 11:25 AM

Check out Grim's T5 Q&A thread in the lighting forum...more info then you'll know what to do with

HO T5's have an affective life between 15,000 and 20,000 hours; figure it out.

Craig Lambert · 01/11/2009, 11:32 AM

Mine are overdriven on icecap ballasts. I changed them out after one year and the new bulbs (same combination) gave a different appearance. I'm on a 9 month schedule now. I don't think they last as long as some think when they are overdriven.

freddy4130 · 01/11/2009, 02:39 PM

*Signs up for the discarded 6-9 month old bulbs*

cashman95 · 01/11/2009, 03:04 PM

15,000 hours @ 10 hours a day is like 5yrs....doesnt seem correct?

I wouldnt use 9 month old bulbs...........

Again, this is a loaded question, heat issues, on off cycles are going to play a role, and if you want SPS to THRIVE at their fullest color(meaning bringing out their underlying tints) and not just maintain normal color, your going to need to keep them somewhat fresh. I agree 6 months seems a little ridiculous, but some swear by it!

crvz · 01/11/2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by freddy4130
*Signs up for the discarded 6-9 month old bulbs*

That's pretty good. I'd gobble them up too, be a cheap way to replace my bulbs!

01/10/2009, 09:04 PM	#1
kwpgrooming Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: texas Posts: 106	T5 bulbs How often should you change the bulbs in T5s? I have had mine a year and was thinking it might be time for new ones but it is hard to tell.

01/10/2009, 10:03 PM	#2
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I've heard 10-12 months around here. Sounds like you are due. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

01/10/2009, 10:09 PM	#4
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	was supposed to be 18-24 months __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

01/11/2009, 08:08 AM	#5
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	With normal ballasts, in the 18-24 month range. If you're running them on icecap ballasts (and overdriving the bulbs), closer to 12-18 months (I swapped my overdriven bulbs at 14 months). __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

01/11/2009, 10:13 AM	#7
cashman95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greenville, S.C. Posts: 810	Loaded Question......... If you are keeping SPS you are going to want to try and change them out around 10-12 months, seeing how these are light LOVING corals. I think many people with full blown SPS tanks tend to change them out around the 6 month mark. If you are not keeping SPS then you can easily push the 12-14 month mark. 18 months is just pushing it, and you will have to re-acclimate your corals to te new bulbs. A light meter will give you the most accurate knowledge of how long YOUR bulbs on YOUR setup will last. Be prepare for many different answers, as this is a Loaded question. __________________ SPS Tank with sump in the garage, 400watt Radium/Lumatek ballast,ReefKeeper2 controlling it all!! VHO actinics in the works! Current Tank Info: 24x24x20 Rimless Cube

01/10/2009, 10:04 PM	#3
emoore Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 570	I change mine out once a year.

01/11/2009, 09:11 AM	#6
kwpgrooming Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: texas Posts: 106	What do you mean by overdriving the bulbs? I just have regular ballast & run my lights 8 hrs a day.

01/11/2009, 11:05 AM	#9
kwpgrooming Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: texas Posts: 106	Thanks everyone. I sure have learned a ton of info from you guys. I probably would have given up on this hobby had it not been for this message board.

01/11/2009, 11:25 AM	#10
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	Check out Grim's T5 Q&A thread in the lighting forum...more info then you'll know what to do with HO T5's have an affective life between 15,000 and 20,000 hours; figure it out. __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method

01/11/2009, 11:32 AM	#11
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	Mine are overdriven on icecap ballasts. I changed them out after one year and the new bulbs (same combination) gave a different appearance. I'm on a 9 month schedule now. I don't think they last as long as some think when they are overdriven. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

01/11/2009, 02:39 PM	#12
freddy4130 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 360	Signs up for the discarded 6-9 month old bulbs

01/11/2009, 03:04 PM	#13
cashman95 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greenville, S.C. Posts: 810	15,000 hours @ 10 hours a day is like 5yrs....doesnt seem correct? I wouldnt use 9 month old bulbs........... Again, this is a loaded question, heat issues, on off cycles are going to play a role, and if you want SPS to THRIVE at their fullest color(meaning bringing out their underlying tints) and not just maintain normal color, your going to need to keep them somewhat fresh. I agree 6 months seems a little ridiculous, but some swear by it! __________________ SPS Tank with sump in the garage, 400watt Radium/Lumatek ballast,ReefKeeper2 controlling it all!! VHO actinics in the works! Current Tank Info: 24x24x20 Rimless Cube