Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[Katrina71]

@brett_schn I think we are already partners in crime. You have my rock :)

 

[brett_schn]

@brett_schn I think we are already partners in crime. You have my rock :)

Correction my mom and brother have ur rock lol. And our tank is the same age

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks. A work in progress...

It always will be....

So far everything looks happy with new spots in the tank. 4 months today!

And congratulations!!!

 

[Katrina71]

I have so much to learn.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That never ends. Fortunately.

 

[Katrina71]

Alright guys...do I need to replace my compact T5's now that my tank is 4 months?

 

[Katrina71]

Try to think back. If you don't want to admit you ever had sucky lights, feel free to post as "a friend's tank..."

 

[Reefrookie220]

Do you know how old they are? Were they used when you got them?

 

[Katrina71]

Do you know how old they are? Were they used when you got them?

White barely used, actinic new.

 

[brett_schn]

U usually can get 6-12 months on ati t5 bulbs. I say you should be fine. If u are a cube girl get a jbj 45g cube and get a ai hydra 26hd or something and make the best tank possible. Let ur son keep the 8g biocube. If it’s not in his room yet move it to his room and then u have the 45g

 

[Katrina71]

Not getting a new tank. Just maybe replacing bulbs.

 

[brett_schn]

4 months mean upgrade though. Lol. How do u not feel the need to upgrade to a larger tank lol. I felt the urge since I got fish in my 10g lol

 

[Katrina71]

I'm old. :)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No, your tubes are fine.

On a friends tank with crap lights that I had at my house for years, you have time to wait.

I agree 9mo to a year, and at 9mo that's just to help start the rotation.

 

[Katrina71]

Thanks! I've read differing opinions.

 

[brett_schn]

For sps tanks it’s 6-9months

 

[Katrina71]

So far there is only one SPS I even like.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Most people just guess and use superstition and rumor.
I think I'm going to start doing more of that.

It really actually depends on the time the tubes are on, the temperature they burn at, and the quality and efficiency of the ballast used to power them.
To actually test them to see if they need to be replaced you'd need a spectrometer and lux meter.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So far there is only one SPS I even like.

Leptoseris?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

For sps tanks it’s 6-9months

That would also allow for a rotation. I.e. One every three months. Not always because the tube is actually bad.