PC Bulb replacement schedule

[kevinohio]

How often should you be replacing PC bulbs. I am running 50/50 bulbs now. I have a FOWLR tank. I do want to encourage coraline growth.
What happens as these bulbs get older, is it as critical to replace them often in a FOWLR?


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[Eggs]

The PC bulbs in my FOWLR are at least 2 years old - I bought the fixture used. I've been meaning to replace them, but have just been putting the money into other items. I haven't had algae problems because of the fish I have, but it seems the lighting is very dull.

 

[Tswifty]

I always thought 6 months was the recommended time to change them out... although you can probably just replace them whenever you think the light doesn't look as aesthetically appealing since you're only running a FOWLR.

 

[the budman]

in my reef i do them once a year. as the bulbs age the wavelenght of light changes and ends up promoting algae growth. everything i read says 12-18 months so i just get new ones for Christmas every year. i hope pc is for compact fluorescent, if not oops

 

[daniel_a_blake]

I change mine once a year as well.

 

[sohal1025]

Me too.

 

[Eggs]

I thought the PC was referring to power compact fixture, which has the cf bulbs.