T5 light bulbs

korbynlehr · 11/14/2006, 07:32 AM

We bought Tek5 setup for our tank a few months back. The seller said the bulbs were only a few months old.

My question is how long do T5 lights really last? I have read some say they are good for 18 months but I want real life time frame from fellow users.
How do you know when to change the bulbs? What is a good rule of thumb? Is there any indicators as to when to change?

jeffbrig · 11/14/2006, 08:18 AM

Mine are approaching 18 months of use, and I have yet to see any negative changes in the tank. I will probably replace them in the next few months.

korbynlehr · 11/14/2006, 10:18 AM

What should I look for as they get older that will let me know it is time to change them?

jeffbrig · 11/14/2006, 10:39 AM

I'm not 100% sure...like I said, I haven't really noticed any change in my corals either. But by 18 months of daily use, they are probably losing some intensity, and maybe color.

The most obvious change you'd see in the tank is if your corals start dulling out if the bulbs get too weak. But, with a gradual shift as the bulbs age, you might not notice it. Better to replace them before a problem happens, so I'm shooting for ~18 months.

korbynlehr · 11/14/2006, 10:46 AM

You mention gradual shift do you think there is a problem changed all 6 bulbs at one? Will that be too much intensity shift?

jeffbrig · 11/14/2006, 10:53 AM

Some people do recommend acclimating corals to new bulbs, due to the increased output when compared to the old ones. I don't have any firsthand experience here, because I have yet to change mine. If you are worried about it, you could change 2 bulbs one day, give the tank a week or so to adjust, then change 2 more, and so on. Assuming there's a significant change (we don't really know), that would be much easier on the corals than changing all 6 at once.

korbynlehr · 11/14/2006, 10:55 AM

If you remember when you change your bulbs could you drop me a line and let me know how big of a change there was in the light intensity?

11/14/2006, 07:32 AM	#1
korbynlehr Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nicholasville Posts: 322	T5 light bulbs We bought Tek5 setup for our tank a few months back. The seller said the bulbs were only a few months old. My question is how long do T5 lights really last? I have read some say they are good for 18 months but I want real life time frame from fellow users. How do you know when to change the bulbs? What is a good rule of thumb? Is there any indicators as to when to change?

11/14/2006, 08:18 AM	#2
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Mine are approaching 18 months of use, and I have yet to see any negative changes in the tank. I will probably replace them in the next few months. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

11/14/2006, 10:39 AM	#4
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	I'm not 100% sure...like I said, I haven't really noticed any change in my corals either. But by 18 months of daily use, they are probably losing some intensity, and maybe color. The most obvious change you'd see in the tank is if your corals start dulling out if the bulbs get too weak. But, with a gradual shift as the bulbs age, you might not notice it. Better to replace them before a problem happens, so I'm shooting for ~18 months. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

11/14/2006, 10:53 AM	#6
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Some people do recommend acclimating corals to new bulbs, due to the increased output when compared to the old ones. I don't have any firsthand experience here, because I have yet to change mine. If you are worried about it, you could change 2 bulbs one day, give the tank a week or so to adjust, then change 2 more, and so on. Assuming there's a significant change (we don't really know), that would be much easier on the corals than changing all 6 at once. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

11/14/2006, 10:18 AM	#3
korbynlehr Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nicholasville Posts: 322	What should I look for as they get older that will let me know it is time to change them?

11/14/2006, 10:46 AM	#5
korbynlehr Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nicholasville Posts: 322	You mention gradual shift do you think there is a problem changed all 6 bulbs at one? Will that be too much intensity shift?

11/14/2006, 10:55 AM	#7
korbynlehr Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nicholasville Posts: 322	If you remember when you change your bulbs could you drop me a line and let me know how big of a change there was in the light intensity?