T5 bulb issue

[Rich Hunsinger]

Back in the game after 20+ years. I bought the AquaticLife T5 G3 Hybrid light and have it combined with an AI Hydra 32 in the middle. I ordered (2 ea) ATI aqua blue specials and ATI blue plus bulbs from Reef and Marine (great customer service), but I’m having issues with the Aqua blue special bulbs. The first batch had a bad bulb, called AquaticLife thinking it was a bad ballast, sent them a video of what was going on and they replied with a bad bulb. Did the test they recommended and found the bad bulb. Called Reef and Marine and they sent a bulb right out. Put it in and two days later the same thing happened. This is not a ballast issue because I switch the two good original bulbs from the front to the back and working great. Little discouraged, is there a better bulb to try and if so, what colors do you recommend?

 

[Saltyreef]

Back in the game after 20+ years. I bought the AquaticLife T5 G3 Hybrid light and have it combined with an AI Hydra 32 in the middle. I ordered (2 ea) ATI aqua blue specials and ATI blue plus bulbs from Reef and Marine (great customer service), but I’m having issues with the Aqua blue special bulbs. The first batch had a bad bulb, called AquaticLife thinking it was a bad ballast, sent them a video of what was going on and they replied with a bad bulb. Did the test they recommended and found the bad bulb. Called Reef and Marine and they sent a bulb right out. Put it in and two days later the same thing happened. This is not a ballast issue because I switch the two good original bulbs from the front to the back and working great. Little discouraged, is there a better bulb to try and if so, what colors do you recommend?

Ati is the gold standard for t5 bulbs.
That being said, there are lots of reports of certain colors having production issues.
I would try to get a refund and order from a different supplier. If you still have issues its likely a ballast issue.

did you unplug the fixture to reset the ballasts end of life protection?

Did you perform all of these steps?