Blue no longer blue

[MyBoyGus]

I have a 48" Coralife T5 dual bulb fixture, 10,000K and actinic blue. I purchased about two months ago. When I first turned it on the light was BLUE.

I don't know when it happened, but the light from the fixture is now white. Blue seems to be gone. I removed the white bulb, and turned it on with just the actinic. The bulb came on, but had pulsating waves, which slowly went away. Seemed dim. When the bulb is off, it is white, I thought I remember it having a blue tint when turned off.

If I look at the bulbs in the fixture when they are on, it seems that the actinic bulb is just lit from the white one.

Is the simple answer that I have a bulb that just went bad that quick? I understand T5's are supposed to last for years, but I guess they can just as likely go bad in a month or two?

My first fixture like this. Newish tank, freshwater for years.

 

[BrokeColoReefer]

i think the spectrums are set up with different gas ratios in the tubes, not the coatings on the glass... possible bad bulb? Im not sure about them lasting for years.. my understanding is 1 year is replacement time. but ihave had bulbs go out early in there life.

 

[Macimage]

That is too early for a T5 bulb to lose color. I would contact the manufacturer and get a replacement.

If you have to purchase a replacement bulb, get a good quality one such as ATI or Giesemann.

Good luck!
Joyce

 

[hornman]

These fixtures are junk. I've had 3 of them go bad on me. And yes I did notice that the bulb colors fade quite a bit.