t5 question?

[Aqua*Reef*Man]

I was wondering if someone knew or if its true why when you don't change your t5 bulbs you end up producing algae?

 

[nanonubey]

Yep or the coral will start suffering.

 

[kocho09]

Haven't changed mine in years, don't have any problems

 

[Eric The Red]

The spectrum produced by the bulbs shift as they get older and degrade. They shift to a spectrum that algae prefer. Towards yellow, if I recall. If your tank is prone to algae then old bulbs can accelerate its growth. As a T5 gets older it also looses intensity (PAR) which is why most reefers replace their bulbs on schedule.