T-5 Bulb life span

[aquad]

Does anyone know how long a T-5 @54W light bulb would last?
Compared to Metal halide which can last up to 1 year.
When do the T-5 bulbs start to lose there spectrum ? Is it at 6 months or 1 year. please help me Thank You.

[barjam]

I have read 12-24 months depending on spectrum.

[pito]

I'm pretty sure it's gonna depend on if the bulbs are being cooled down or overdriven.

[CruzinKim]

Normal use, I've read 15-18 months on T5s. On MH, most change at 12 months, but I've seen several threads of them not needing a change until 18 months.

[aquad]

Is there anyone here who can support any information about the life span of a T-5 54w bulb. Most fluorescent bulbs will degrade after six months . About 50% off its original spectrum. What would make a T-5 bulb last longer.

Based on - T-5 54w blub ATI 48 inch
- Work Horse Ballace #5

[DarG]

12 months minimum for the blue bulbs. 18 months for the whites. That assumes that the bulbs are atleast open to the air like in a DIY retro on an open light rack or similiar, not enclosed in a canopy or a fixture with an acrylic lens and no active cooling. If enclosed in a canopy or a fixture then they require adequate fan cooling and venting of the hot air to last that long. 12 months is probably a little bit conservative for the blue bulbs and 18 months may be a little conservative for the whites as well.

Overdriven they require more aggressive cooling, bulbs and endcaps, and then opinions vary on longevity from only 2 or 3 months less to only lasting 1/2 as long.

[barjam]

Oh, the work horse ballast will shorten your life as it really isn't a proper T5 ballast.

[The Grim Reefer]

Depends on what you are trying to raise and your system. Cooling the lamps and using true T5 ballasts will help extend the life. If you have a 24" tall tank full of SPS you will get around 9 months of excellent results based on the experiences of guys in europe who have been using them for several years. With the better lamps and reflectors that are out now I would bet that in all but the most extreme cases a year is safe. If you just have a few SPS up on the rocks 18 months is probably safe. You just need to keep an eye or your critters.

[aquad]

Thanks for the information ,but is there anyone who can state that they have used the T-5 48 inch bulbes for over a year with out any noticeable difference to the coral.

[cashman95]

Listen to what The Grim Reefer has posted! He knows T-5 lighting!!!!!!!

[The Grim Reefer]

No but I have used 5 foot 80 watt lamps 14 months and there wasn't a noticable difference. A Aquablue lamp had around 85% of the output of a new one.

[CruzinKim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11210860#post11210860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquad
Thanks for the information ,but is there anyone who can state that they have used the T-5 48 inch bulbes for over a year with out any noticeable difference to the coral. You're fortunate to have Grim respond to your thread as he is one of the resident experts on T5s specifically.

[aquad]

Yes I agree It's great that Grim reponded to my question , But I would love to hear from more people . Who have also used them. And who grow corals and frags.

[aquad]

The Grim Reefer how long have you had the T-5 light on your aquarium for? And what did you have before T-5

[The Grim Reefer]

On this tank since last spring. Was using VHO T6's before that for several months.

On the 125 I started with T5's in 03, went to 150 watt halides, upgraded to 250 watt halides and ended up putting the T5's back on. That was an expensive experiment.

[sjm817]

On my previous tank, a 90G, I replaced the 6 48" bulbs after 1 year. I dont have test equipment, but there was no noticeable difference to the eye, or any reaction from the coral with the fresh bulbs. It seems I could have run them quite a bit longer. My 180G is now 1 yr old which also uses T5s. Not sure when I will replace them. YMMV.

[aquad]

I would like to thank you guy's for your help