How frequently should you change out your T5 bulbs? | BRStv Investigates

[randyBRS]

Hey guys,

This week we're getting back to our roots in the BRStv Investigates series with a test of T5 bulb's longevity from a simulated year's worth of use. We'll finally answer the question on how much spectrum shift and PAR loss you can expect from your bulbs when ran at 100%, as well as test the effects of dimming them to 50%!

 

[mjt82]

Great video! Question: Why did you guys remove the splash guard from the Sunpower fixture, since they are so adamant that the splash guard is an integral part of their cooling system? It seems to me that by documenting the life of the bulbs here that you've disproven that it's absolutely necessary.

 

[Potatohead]

Been waiting for this video for months!

 

[Finhead]

Another great video @randyBRS

Great video! Question: Why did you guys remove the splash guard from the Sunpower fixture, since they are so adamant that the splash guard is an integral part of their cooling system? It seems to me that by documenting the life of the bulbs here that you've disproven that it's absolutely necessary.

If you listen to the video he states it's to get a middle ground measurement between passive cooled fixtures and fan cooled fixtures. Not everyone runs a ATI fixture.

 

[Potatohead]

I think you should continue the experiment for another two to four months (simulating 6-12 months) with just the ATI blue plus and see what happens. To not have to swap blue bulbs for 2-3 years would be pretty nice.

 

[mjt82]

Another great video @randyBRS



If you listen to the video he states it's to get a middle ground measurement between passive cooled fixtures and fan cooled fixtures. Not everyone runs a ATI fixture.

Right, understood, but I guess my point is/was (I don’t think I made myself clear) that you’re not running the fixture as the manufacturer intended. Could that skew the data?

 

[Bronx19]

Dimming not causing an issue is a good one solved.

 

[erk]

This was a helpful study. Changing 6 bulbs every 9 months is a chunk of change. I'll shoot for the 12 -18 month mark now. Very interested in the upcoming study on coral coloration. I've tried the trace/amino additions for a long period of time and also ran without for a long period of time. I never really saw much of a change, good or bad. The biggest change I saw was feeding more and more often. That really made the corals happy.

 

[bodegus]

This has to be one of your best videos yet. Thanks for progressing the hobby with all of these.

 

[Greybeard]

Great vid. I'll be very interested in seeing what 2 years worth of use looks like on those bulbs.

Tell your CFO to get over it... we'll just spend our hobby dollars on other stuff

 

[kamikazereefer]

Nice at least 5 month left for
My bulb humm what I will invest lol !!!

 

[Potatohead]

Tell your CFO to get over it... we'll just spend our hobby dollars on other stuff

 

[Ryanbrs]

Great video! Question: Why did you guys remove the splash guard from the Sunpower fixture, since they are so adamant that the splash guard is an integral part of their cooling system? It seems to me that by documenting the life of the bulbs here that you've disproven that it's absolutely necessary.

We were making an attempt to not just test on the Sunpower but find a balance between all the different retro and fixtures installs. Each has it's own active or passive cooling solution.

 

[madweazl]

Awesome, thanks for the informative video. Cant wait to see what the next simulated year brings.

 

[mps026]

U guys rock! Love brs investigates.

 

[jzw]

wow, great vid. i think brs should continue the experiment past at least the 2 year mark, lol.

@Ryanbrs, does brs offer a dimmer kit for existing t5 fixtures? my dream retrofit kit would have an user-controllable auto ramp up, and ramp down function/timer, plus intensity control - like the functions built into leds (minus specturm control, of course).

 

[Catfish2]

Like I commented on YouTube, it would be hard to find another company that would put out a video that shows you can buy their product less, but this makes me appreciate BRS even more and encourages me to shop with them even more.

I know there are plans to continue the testing for another simulated year and I think that's great. I would love to have that information so I can make a more informed decision. Maybe all those used bulbs I hung onto have some usefulness?

 

[40B Knasty]

Thank you BRS, Neptune, EchoTech, and WWC for your time money and efforts! This is great info. Can't wait to see how things go for the next 4 month test results.

 

[Bob_Marlin]

Awesome video! Really glad that you’ve decided to simulate another twelve months as 3 out of the 4 bulbs had the PAR values started to increase at the very end. Even if the results don’t continue in this way it will be interesting to see what happens during the second year. Can’t wait for the next episode in the ULM series and the further tests!

 

[jackson6745]

Looking forward to future video topics. Keep up the good work!