T5'S TILL THEY DIE, ANYONE???????

[spsick]

How much of a drop off (percentage wise) and where is your data coming from?

I’ll check my notes but it was a lot. That’s me measuring PAR with my Apogee right below the bulbs every few months to judge replacement schedule.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I’ll check my notes but it was a lot. That’s me measuring PAR with my Apogee right below the bulbs every few months to judge replacement schedule.

I believe BRS was stating something around 20% after 18 months but I would have to re-watch the video.

 

[hotdrop]

I get pretty **** colors on t5 But also I’m Still running the same bulbs I started with 5 years ago idk. Im in the process of trying to figure out if it’s just that T5 give bad colors or if something else is wrong. Any suggestions on where to look? Every coral is shifting green if it can.

 

[Nano_Man]

Before I packed in think it was early 2000 t5 were the light to go for at that time great lights . Now Iam back in the hobby led is all new to me I think the t5 are very good

 

[Troylee]

I get pretty **** colors on t5 But also I’m Still running the same bulbs I started with 5 years ago idk. Im in the process of trying to figure out if it’s just that T5 give bad colors or if something else is wrong. Any suggestions on where to look? Every coral is shifting green if it can.

The bulbs shift spectrum over time that’s why people change them regularly… you’ll get algae growth and wonky spectrums etc..

 

[Jasonak]

I change 18-24 months. I wright down the date installed with a marker on the bulb when I put them in. Run them 6 hours a day.

 

[fishface NJ]

I run my 6 bulbs for 16 months at 10 hours a day. 95% sps

 

[tigre44]

I change them when they burn out. My corals and clam are doing great growing like weeds. I use mh and t5

 

[Perry]

After speaking with "Chimek" owner of Pacific Sun, many years ago, bulb life is dependant on cooling of bulbs. This is why their units have excellent cooling, not even warm after hours of use, due to larger cooling fans. I purposefully run multiple fans pushing air into the ATI unit, but also a fan blowing on the unit as well. This according to him extends the life beyond a year.

 

[Battlecorals]

After speaking with "Chimek" owner of Pacific Sun, many years ago, bulb life is dependant on cooling of bulbs. This is why their units have excellent cooling, not even warm after hours of use, due to larger cooling fans. I purposefully run multiple fans pushing air into the ATI unit, but also a fan blowing on the unit as well. This according to him extends the life beyond a year.

I agree. The problem with my ati fixtures is that the fans just don’t last. There’s another thread I started about that somewhere on here. Someone suggested, and located some way better fans and I’ve been using those for a while they are more moisture resistant for sure.

But, what has really helped keep my bulbs cool is that I finally said “screw it” and took the acrylic cover off.

 

[Perry]

I agree. The problem with my ati fixtures is that the fans just don’t last. There’s another thread I started about that somewhere on here. Someone suggested, and located some way better fans and I’ve been using those for a while they are more moisture resistant for sure.

But, what has really helped keep my bulbs cool is that I finally said “screw it” and took the acrylic cover off.

Yeah, I actually have a fan blowing air into the fixture, instead of pulling in, the opposite of the design. This keeps the bulbs cool. I also have another fan blowing over the reef which cools the fixture as well

 

[fishface NJ]

.....

But, what has really helped keep my bulbs cool is that I finally said “screw it” and took the acrylic cover off.

After reading this I took mine off. It never has salt or water mist on it

 

[Battlecorals]

After reading this I took mine off. It never has salt or water mist on it

Good call. Keep an eye on your corals for sure. You may see a little jump in par.

 

[100gallonreefer]

I agree. The problem with my ati fixtures is that the fans just don’t last. There’s another thread I started about that somewhere on here. Someone suggested, and located some way better fans and I’ve been using those for a while they are more moisture resistant for sure.

But, what has really helped keep my bulbs cool is that I finally said “screw it” and took the acrylic cover off.

I think I’ll give that a try. For whatever reason I always thought I had to because it was designed that way

 

[Gtinnel]