How long do T5 bulbs last?

[fishresponse]

I want to upgrade to T5's from my vho's and just want to know if they last the same. I usually replace my bulbs every 12 months.

thanks

 

[David Grigor]

type of ballast and if the bulbs are active cooled or not are factors on how long it will last. Conservatively though you shouldn't have an issue with running at least 12 months. Most likely will get more like 18+ months.

 

[Bebo77]

i would change them at 1 year for optimal color and growth.

 

[fishresponse]

They will be ran with an IC 660 and fan cooled.

 

[barbra]

until they burn out.

 

[old salty]

Since I have two fixtures side by side, I did a little comparison at the 14 month mark. I changed all of the bulbs in the left fixture and left the old bulbs in the right fixture. When the lights came on, I used my NASA calibrated eyes to check the difference between the two. The bulbs at 14 months were much dimmer than the new bulbs and the color spectrum had certainly shifted. The very next day, I changed the bulbs in the fixture on the right and will put my bulbs on a 1 year change rotation. They may last much longer than I have used them, but they don't last forever.

 

[fishresponse]

I pumped to get these lights up and running. I hear they have awesome PAR values.