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06/16/2011, 06:33 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 63
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When to buy new bulbs?
When do you know it's a good time to buy new bulbs? Are there any indicators?
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06/16/2011, 06:44 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 21
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bad algae growth is one. but lights arent the only possible problem to cause such an issue.
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06/16/2011, 06:58 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,627
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I change mine every 6 months, MH. That way I know my bulb is always putting out it's best PAR.
__________________
__________ Current Tank Info: Past reef tanks: 20H softy, 29G mixed reef, 55G mixed reef, 40B sps dominant mixed reef and 75G sps dominant mixed reef. No tank currently |
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06/16/2011, 07:08 PM
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#4 | |
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Team RC member
 
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Quote:
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Warmest regards, ~Steve~ |
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06/16/2011, 07:09 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,041
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When I get an algae bloom at around the 9 month mark, that's when I know to change my lights (t5s)
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06/16/2011, 09:15 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 63
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I have T5s and they are about 6mos old. I haven't really noticed an algae bloom yet, but they are enclosed in a hood and I read that the heat might shorten their lifespan. Just wanting to make sure I get the best output I can.
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06/16/2011, 09:21 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Virginia beach
Posts: 194
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Would it be diffrent for the T5HO?
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06/16/2011, 10:25 PM
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#8 |
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Raise The Reef!
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 7,404
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Non cooled T5's need to be replaced every 6-7 months. Properly cooled T5's can go about 12 months.
__________________
Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+ |
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06/17/2011, 01:56 PM
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#9 |
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Team RC Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: houstonia
Posts: 7,989
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I used to run my T5s for about 14-16 months. the best way to do it, though, is to get your hands on a PAR meter and measure new bulbs (after about 3 or 4 weeks of break-in time) to trend output loss over time.
__________________
-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? |
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06/17/2011, 01:58 PM
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#10 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 292
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Quote:
Do you have a recommendation for a budget friendly PAR meter? |
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06/17/2011, 02:10 PM
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#11 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 28
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I always changed my bulbs annually. All LED now though.
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