reefman88
Community Member
Hey all!
Not sure if this is new exactly but I have not heard it mentioned before. Lately I have been playing around with my bulb combos on my t5 fixture and I realized that what I am doing is actually a good idea. Obviously with LEDs this won't work but with others it might. I change one bulb out every 2 months on my 6 bulb TekLight so by the year end I have changed out all my bulbs without a drastic change in PAR levels.
Some things that this helps with......
-Shocking corals with a 50% increase in PAR
-Having to switch photoperiod to adapt corals to new light
-Having to put screening or light diffuser over tank for weeks after a switch
-Allows you to slowly spend the money on new bulbs and not have to make a big purchase at once.
-Lets you try new bulbs with your current lineup
Cons.......
-if you order your bulbs online you have to pay shipping on every individual bulb
Overall
It is just an idea and I am not sure how it would work with halides but it might work to change your supplemental lighting 6 months after changing your halides. On the shipping note....support your LFS, if you join a local reef club maybe you can get a discount that makes the shipping less of a factor. Some of the stores in my area give us 15% off our total purchase, easily offsetting shipping costs.
HTH Some of you!!
Not sure if this is new exactly but I have not heard it mentioned before. Lately I have been playing around with my bulb combos on my t5 fixture and I realized that what I am doing is actually a good idea. Obviously with LEDs this won't work but with others it might. I change one bulb out every 2 months on my 6 bulb TekLight so by the year end I have changed out all my bulbs without a drastic change in PAR levels.
Some things that this helps with......
-Shocking corals with a 50% increase in PAR
-Having to switch photoperiod to adapt corals to new light
-Having to put screening or light diffuser over tank for weeks after a switch
-Allows you to slowly spend the money on new bulbs and not have to make a big purchase at once.
-Lets you try new bulbs with your current lineup
Cons.......
-if you order your bulbs online you have to pay shipping on every individual bulb
Overall
It is just an idea and I am not sure how it would work with halides but it might work to change your supplemental lighting 6 months after changing your halides. On the shipping note....support your LFS, if you join a local reef club maybe you can get a discount that makes the shipping less of a factor. Some of the stores in my area give us 15% off our total purchase, easily offsetting shipping costs.
HTH Some of you!!
No individual cost for shipping.
