How often?

[snowmansnow]

do you replace your T5 lamps? Lets say they run 10-12 hours a day 7 days a week.

Thanks.

B

 

[marko22]

I run mine for about 9 hours a day and have had them up and running for a year now. All still seems to be good. I am thinking about replacing them in the next three months to see if I do notice any significant change. I use the wavepoint bulbs.

 

[misu]

I replaced the first batch after 14 months and it was a bit late, do it every year or sooner.

 

[snowmansnow]

I have been replacing mine every 6 months? Don't they change spectrum and affect your tank? Also, does it matter if they are overdriven ?

Just don't want to spend money where I don't have too. I mean, its like $250 a pop.

 

[mufret]

The temperture that the bulbs are operating at will have a big impact on their useful life so overdriving them can decrease the life if you don't do anything to combat the increased temp caused by overdriving it. The bulbs are designed to operate, optimally, at specified temps. Knowing where the cold spot is located (different manufacturers have different cold spots) and actively cooling the bulbs in that area can increase not only the life of the bulb but can also increase the PAR. That's how ATI gets the numbers it does out of their fixtures with NO ballasts.

 

[coolsurf]

My rule of thumb has been once a year but it depends on if they are overdriven and what types of corals you have. Softies are not too particular but SPS is very.

 

[snowmansnow]

mufret;593626 wrote: The temperture that the bulbs are operating at will have a big impact on their useful life so overdriving them can decrease the life if you don't do anything to combat the increased temp caused by overdriving it. The bulbs are designed to operate, optimally, at specified temps. Knowing where the cold spot is located (different manufacturers have different cold spots) and actively cooling the bulbs in that area can increase not only the life of the bulb but can also increase the PAR. That's how ATI gets the numbers it does out of their fixtures with NO ballasts.

Indeed. I do have active cooling on my fixture from Aquactinics. I think sometimes we forget how effective t5 lighting can be given a great fixture.

ATI is flat amazing when it comes to t5 fixtures. Their new PMs are even dimmable VERY cool IMO. That being said they aren't cheap, but like a lot of things in this hobby you get what you pay for.

B

 

[snowmansnow]

I think I'll replace mine soon just to be safe. The t5s are my only lighting over a pretty heavily stocked SPS tank. They are very well cooled within the fixture. The constellation IS NOT overdrivern (just figured this out for sure). If anyone is wondering only the SolarFlare is overdriven. That should offer me another month of comfort to replace these things.

BTW if you want a great T5 fixture Aquactinics ofen goes overlooked and is VERY VERY good.

B

 

[rbredding]

have a couple new ones on hand and replace one out of the fixture.. if you can see a difference looking at the light (try wearing polarized sunglasses if they are very bright) then you'll know that you're changing them at acceptable intervals..

 

[markl]

I need new bulbs mine are over driven and 12 months old. :sad:

 

[thbrewst]

Still learning...can someone define 'overdriving' in the context of lighting?

Thanks, and sorry for the minor hijack.

 

[freedaw]

Also learning...and how do you determine if your pushing more wattage thru than what they're designed for? Thanks!

 

[thbrewst]

bioniclebody;596958 wrote: pushing more watts thru them than what they were designed to run at. increases par, sacrifices bulb life.

blakejohn;597182 wrote: It should be printed on the bulb whats the bubls rating is etc, 24w, 54w, 80w,

The balast and or ballast documentation will tell you the ballasts output. If the output is more than the bulbs rating you are overdiveing the bulb.

Standard fixtures usually are not overdriven. Over driving is most common with retro kits or DIY projects and some higher end lighting systems.

Thanks and Thanks. Good information.

 

[jef4y]

~11 hrs/day for 2 bulbs, 9 hrs for the other 6. Replace every 12 months.