t5 bulbs longevity

[carloriv]

hi im trying to change from leds to t5 and im wondering how often do we need to change the bulbs with a 10 hours ligth cycle? im considering ati bulbs. any help?

[patsfan1130]

Most websites will tell you 18 mo providing the bulbs are not over driven. IME they should be changed at the 1yr mark

[solitude127]

It depends on how the bulbs are cooled as well. For example, ATI fixtures have active cooling for the ballast and the bulbs therefore, IME extending the life of the bulb.

[75pxatr]

I go 12 months on mine.

[alton]

I have never been able to go more than 12 months with a 10% drop in PAR readings and the reason why I am not using them anymore.

[shaqdaddy]

I usually change mine out every yrs. I run them about 12 hrs a day.

[that Fish Guy]

I change mine every 6 Months.

Definetly do not use them for over a Year.

Like others say if you have an ATI Fixture then you can get 9-12 Months out of them.

I do not have an ATI Fixture so I change them every 6 Months.

[rtparty]

This is all dependent on the ballast used and the cooling.

Over cool or under cool the bulbs and life will decrease dramatically.

Over driving or even under driving bulbs will hinder their life. I should state that dimming and under driving are different.

For example, Current USA used a ballast made by Sunpak. It was a junk ballast that didn't run the bulbs properly and they even burned a slightly different color when compared to a spec T5 ballast.

Properly driven and properly cooled bulbs will last at least 12 months. I've pushed a good majority of my "white" bulbs out to 15-16 months. Blue bulbs usually need replacing earlier. 10-12 months is their max.

On the opposite end of things, over driven and non cololed bulbs may last 4 months but I've seen many fail in a month.

I don't use PAR to monitor when my bulbs should be changed. It's too inaccurate and not the best indicator. Your corals are the best indicator in my opinion. Nothing beats looking at them and deciding.

[carloriv]

thanks for your replays