life of a t-5 bulb

[ckmn101]

I have a Current brand t-5 fixture and I was wondering your experience on the bulb life. Current says this-"The average life of T-5 tubes is 2 years, with the blue/actinic spectrum lamps lasting up to 18 months" in their bulb description here:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13826&N=2004+113907
Will they really last this long or should I replace sooner?
tia
Mike

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment Discussion.

 

[roka64]

To be honest, I just replaced mine after about 1 year and I didn't notice a difference. Of course that was with the naked eye.

 

[tecwzrd]

They will last that long but color shift after around 8-12 months which can induce algae if not switched out. I swap out every 8 months myself.

 

[melosu58]

That is my suggestion as well as like Micah said the lights will last that long but the spectrum change will cause problems. I change my VHO bulbs every 6 months. Another factor that plays in here is how often they are used. I run mine 12 hrs a day while someone that runs theirs 8 hrs a day will get a few more months out of them than me.

 

[Algenco]

change at 1/2 life

 

[ckmn101]

Thanks for the responses. I wish I could justify spending $90 and get this light meter-
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14821&N=2004+113762
But I can get a couple corals and make myself believe I saved some $ by not buying the meter.
Anyway thanks again for the answers. My blue bulbs are on for a 12hr duration and are 10 months old. I believe I will be barganing with the lfs guy or ordering bulbs very soon.

 

[roka64]

I may get that on my next purchase from the drs website! I really want to see how much and how long it takes.

 

[piranha]

I think you might have answered a problem I'm having with hair algae. I'm also using a HO T-5 for about a year now not having changed the bulbs. I'm going to check the phosphate level before I replace the bulbs. Someone else told me I should try feeding Omega 1 all vegetable diet if it is a phosphate problem.