Another T5 bulb burn in question..

Mykesocalreef · Dec 2, 2018

It’s time to change my bulbs. My specific scenario is that I don’t run my lights @100%. I’ve seen people state that if you don’t dim it doesn’t matter and they change a bulb or two at a time over a few weeks.. Do they not need 50-100 hours straight? My scenario is that I don’t ramp up and down but I run them less than 100%. Running at 100% would be to much light for the tank. Anyone else ever in this same situation? If so what did you do?

Flippers4pups · Dec 2, 2018

Mykesocalreef said:
It’s time to change my bulbs. My specific scenario is that I don’t run my lights @100%. I’ve seen people state that if you don’t dim it doesn’t matter and they change a bulb or two at a time over a few weeks.. Do they not need 50-100 hours straight? My scenario is that I don’t ramp up and down but I run them less than 100%. Running at 100% would be to much light for the tank. Anyone else ever in this same situation? If so what did you do?

When I ran T5's, when time to change I would buy all my bulbs and only change one or two a week till all got changed. Never worried about burn in time.

Dual40IM · Dec 2, 2018

Mykesocalreef said:
It’s time to change my bulbs. My specific scenario is that I don’t run my lights @100%. I’ve seen people state that if you don’t dim it doesn’t matter and they change a bulb or two at a time over a few weeks.. Do they not need 50-100 hours straight? My scenario is that I don’t ramp up and down but I run them less than 100%. Running at 100% would be to much light for the tank. Anyone else ever in this same situation? If so what did you do?

I understand what you are saying. I have ATI Dimmable fixtures also that I do not run at 100%. I purchased a cheap T5 shop light at Lowes and use it to burn in my new bulbs before installing into my ATI fixtures. Hope this helps you.

Mykesocalreef · Dec 2, 2018

Dual40IM said:
I understand what you are saying. I have ATI Dimmable fixtures also that I do not run at 100%. I purchased a cheap T5 shop light at Lowes and use it to burn in my new bulbs before installing into my ATI fixtures. Hope this helps you.

Thats what I was thinking.. Thanks for the input!