T5 bulbs how often you change them

[H2O]

Just checking how often you guys change T5 bulbs I need to change mines its been 16months on this set and things still looking good not much sps growth with water checked out perfect .

 

[fraggingfish]

They should be changed every 6 months, depending on how frequently they're used.
Otherwise, the par rating drops, as well as the kelvin ( Color temp ).

You'll start to notice abnormal algae growths.
Love my T5's, no matter which lights I go with, LED or MH, T5's are always there to compliment.

 

[cdness]

Well I have had both overdriven and non-overdriven T-5 setups and here is what I typically did:

Overdriven: Replace every 9 - 12 months, 12 being the max

Non-Overdriven: Replace every 14 - 18 months, 18 being the max.

I typically stuck around the lower end of that except for my last replacement as I wanted to go LED, but couldn't round up the cash to do it...

You will see color shift and coral growth issues at the top end of the range. If you use the coral growth as an indicator you will know when they need to go.

** Edit: This is assuming you are using quality lamps as they can typically last longer than the cheaper lamps out there. Cheap lamps you may have to replace much sooner.

 

[fab1971]

6-8 months for me.

 

[m and m]

6-7 months for me. I like to keep them fresh.

 

[dougers31]

I think it also depends on which fixture you're using. I'm using an ati sunpower(active cooling) and plan to start replacing them(one per week) at 10 months.

 

[fraggingfish]

+1 on drivers.

Most of us, I assume use the IC660 or the new Coralife 660.

With modules and fixtures, the bulbs burn more efficiently.

 

[H2O]

I use ATI power module 8 54 watt bulbs mix of KZ and ATI bulbs
Wow so far it looks like I read a wrong tread because I was under impression this whole time that 16 months was still good

 

[lps1212]

6-7 for me matter of fact I am changing them this weekend :wink:

 

[Aquaph8]

I go around 8 months. I do two Out of the twelve at a time so I'm always buying bulbs but not spending a fortune all at once.

 

[kuyatwo]

Every 6 months and I sell them for 1/2 price. So in reality I am getting two sets of bulbs for the price of one every year


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[kschweer]

I try to change mine every 6-8 months

 

[NY_Sea]

I've read 12-16 months but thats pushin it! I am on every 11 months and things seem to be okay

 

[AsphaltPays]

I change mine every 6 to 8 months


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[MBG75]

From what I understand. Even in a perfectly cooled fixture, at 10 months the spectrum has shifted enough to affect corals

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Looks like its time to change my bulbs for sure. Been running about 14 months. Oops

 

[MBG75]

14 is long time. If u do change bulbs I'd say stagger them. Maybe 1 to 2 bulbs a a week to reduce shock

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Yeah I have 8 bulbs to change so I will do one bulbs at a time. plus right now I have the odyssea bulbs that came with my fixtures and will be switching to ati. If I changed all the bulbs at once I would have blind fish. Lol

 

[H2O]

So how about changing 1 bulb a day is that to soon ? My new bulbs r on the way and I need to change them ASAP

 

[shred5]

8 to 9 months on my tek fixture because its not cooled and on my ati powermodule 10 to 12 months because it is cooled..