T5 Bulb Life?

Darkstar22 · 08/30/2009, 12:04 PM

I have always had metal halides...how often do you T5 guys change out the bulbs for maximum illumination?

nikon187 · 08/30/2009, 04:09 PM

every 9-12mths on average

redfishsc · 08/30/2009, 05:13 PM

+1, agreed.

I generally will run mine the full year unless they appear to be "struggling", or are a cheapo that comes with some fixtures like the Current stuff. Their bulbs look OK but their PAR is lacking, and it can only get worse with time.

Darkstar22 · 08/31/2009, 12:24 PM

OK thanks....I was wanting to know because I want to try T5's, but was debating on 1 metal halide or 4x24w T5's over a 20L. MH bulb replace every 9-12 months @ $70-$80 per bulb, T5's 4x$20 per bulb. About the same for the bulbs per year, but less energy, and allot more color choice...thanks for the info!

08/30/2009, 12:04 PM	#1
Darkstar22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 718	T5 Bulb Life? I have always had metal halides...how often do you T5 guys change out the bulbs for maximum illumination?

08/30/2009, 05:13 PM	#3
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	+1, agreed. I generally will run mine the full year unless they appear to be "struggling", or are a cheapo that comes with some fixtures like the Current stuff. Their bulbs look OK but their PAR is lacking, and it can only get worse with time. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

08/30/2009, 04:09 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	every 9-12mths on average

08/31/2009, 12:24 PM	#4
Darkstar22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 718	OK thanks....I was wanting to know because I want to try T5's, but was debating on 1 metal halide or 4x24w T5's over a 20L. MH bulb replace every 9-12 months @ $70-$80 per bulb, T5's 4x$20 per bulb. About the same for the bulbs per year, but less energy, and allot more color choice...thanks for the info!