T5 bulbs

nikecivic · 05/08/2012, 10:14 AM

How often do you guys change your bulbs? I am running 8 x 39 Watt (36") T5 bulbs with a (2) IC 660 ballasts. I usually run my lights around 5.5 hours.

I've heard people changing them every 6 months but its starting to get expensive. Usually, a bulb goes out around 6 months and is there a general rule? Also, does the total time the bulb is running matter?

solitude127 · 05/08/2012, 11:27 AM

I change mine every 10 - 11 months. What type of cooling do you have for your lights? Any fans one the bulbs?

aleonn · 05/08/2012, 11:35 AM

I change my T5 bulbs every 10-11 months as well. I only run them 6-7 hrs/day with canopy fans on each end of the fixture. I change them when I notice lots of uncharacteristic cyano and algae growth.

gveng · 05/08/2012, 11:55 AM

10 months here, but i like to change my bulbs 2 at a time and not all at once.

nikecivic · 05/08/2012, 12:22 PM

No cooling for my lights. I guess this affects longevity?

rtparty · 05/08/2012, 12:30 PM

Overdriven bulbs like you have will only really last 3-4 months with no cooling. When they burn out at 6 months they are long past due actually.

Even cooling them isn't going to do too much. Your biggest problem is the IceCap ballasts. I would try and sell those and get new ballasts that are meant to run the T5 bulbs to spec.

nikecivic · 05/08/2012, 12:50 PM

Yes the bulbs are overdriven by the ballasts. If I still decide to continue using my T5 setup, would I need to change the wiring or is there a plug in place replacement for the IC 660?

rtparty · 05/08/2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikecivic

Yes the bulbs are overdriven by the ballasts. If I still decide to continue using my T5 setup, would I need to change the wiring or is there a plug in place replacement for the IC 660?

I am not totally sure. I know that most spec T5 ballasts come with a wiring harness so I would expect you would have to rewire stuff.

05/08/2012, 10:14 AM	#1
nikecivic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ventura County / So Cal Posts: 1,570	T5 bulbs How often do you guys change your bulbs? I am running 8 x 39 Watt (36") T5 bulbs with a (2) IC 660 ballasts. I usually run my lights around 5.5 hours. I've heard people changing them every 6 months but its starting to get expensive. Usually, a bulb goes out around 6 months and is there a general rule? Also, does the total time the bulb is running matter? __________________ MASVC Board Member (2013-14 Treasurer) ---------------------- Current Tank Info: 180 Glass Tank (6'x2'x2') with a Bubble King Mini 160 (on the second Red Dragon pump), Korallin 1502, Apex w/WXM, Ecotech Radion G1 w/TIR lenses, (2) Ecotech MP40w (one w/ES upgrade) w/Battery Backup, (2) Jebao WP25, Jebao DC12000, 55g acrylic sump

05/08/2012, 11:27 AM	#2
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	I change mine every 10 - 11 months. What type of cooling do you have for your lights? Any fans one the bulbs? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

05/08/2012, 11:55 AM	#4
gveng Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Downey, CA Posts: 2,385	10 months here, but i like to change my bulbs 2 at a time and not all at once. __________________ \| IM \| KESSIL \| TUNZE \|

05/08/2012, 12:22 PM	#5
nikecivic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ventura County / So Cal Posts: 1,570	No cooling for my lights. I guess this affects longevity? __________________ MASVC Board Member (2013-14 Treasurer) ---------------------- Current Tank Info: 180 Glass Tank (6'x2'x2') with a Bubble King Mini 160 (on the second Red Dragon pump), Korallin 1502, Apex w/WXM, Ecotech Radion G1 w/TIR lenses, (2) Ecotech MP40w (one w/ES upgrade) w/Battery Backup, (2) Jebao WP25, Jebao DC12000, 55g acrylic sump

05/08/2012, 12:30 PM	#6
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Overdriven bulbs like you have will only really last 3-4 months with no cooling. When they burn out at 6 months they are long past due actually. Even cooling them isn't going to do too much. Your biggest problem is the IceCap ballasts. I would try and sell those and get new ballasts that are meant to run the T5 bulbs to spec. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

05/08/2012, 11:35 AM	#3
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I change my T5 bulbs every 10-11 months as well. I only run them 6-7 hrs/day with canopy fans on each end of the fixture. I change them when I notice lots of uncharacteristic cyano and algae growth.

05/08/2012, 12:50 PM	#7
nikecivic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ventura County / So Cal Posts: 1,570	Yes the bulbs are overdriven by the ballasts. If I still decide to continue using my T5 setup, would I need to change the wiring or is there a plug in place replacement for the IC 660? __________________ MASVC Board Member (2013-14 Treasurer) ---------------------- Current Tank Info: 180 Glass Tank (6'x2'x2') with a Bubble King Mini 160 (on the second Red Dragon pump), Korallin 1502, Apex w/WXM, Ecotech Radion G1 w/TIR lenses, (2) Ecotech MP40w (one w/ES upgrade) w/Battery Backup, (2) Jebao WP25, Jebao DC12000, 55g acrylic sump