LNataniel January 29, 2015 Share January 29, 2015 Hello everyone, I recently joined the forum and am new to the hobby. I am hoping someone can help me determine when it's the right time to change the lamps (tubes). Are there guidelines? I have been told that they last about a year and if you keep it longer, it can effect corals. Gracias. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crob5965 January 29, 2015 Share January 29, 2015 (edited) Hello everyone, I recently joined the forum and am new to the hobby. I am hoping someone can help me determine when it's the right time to change the lamps (tubes). Are there guidelines? I have been told that they last about a year and if you keep it longer, it can effect corals. Gracias. when I was using T5's I would try and stagger when I switched them out, I had 8 bulbs and I changed them out every 8-10 months or so, I used to keep them in my garage and write the number of months they were used on the side with a sharpie, that way I always had a backup if a bulb blew out. I never really noticed a big change in coral growth with older bulbs, but that may be due to the fact that I changed out 1 of the 8 bulbs every other month Edited January 29, 2015 by Crob5965 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNataniel January 30, 2015 Author Share January 30, 2015 Great advice. I'm using T5's that's around 3 years old and the bulbs never been changed. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDRDATA January 30, 2015 Share January 30, 2015 I also had an 8-bulb T5 unit, and essentially swapped out half the bulbs every nine months, for effective 18-month life for any given bulb. It seemed to work pretty well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crob5965 January 30, 2015 Share January 30, 2015 Great advice. I'm using T5's that's around 3 years old and the bulbs never been changed. Thanks yeah, I switched to LED's works out cheaper in the long run, LPS dont seem to grow as fast, but color is just as good, cant really speak on SPS color/Growth as I didnt have any until I got LED's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prunfarm January 30, 2015 Share January 30, 2015 If you change out bulbs that are that old, I would raise the fixture after doing so to prevent burning any corals. Over time, you can slowly lower it back to its original location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNataniel January 30, 2015 Author Share January 30, 2015 Good recommendation because I never would have thought about the height of the fixture. I only have a few red mushroom corals. I'm only a rookie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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