When do you replace your bulbs?

[Quiverfull]

When do you change your ATI T5 bulbs? Is 6 months too soon or not. I have a combo T5, MH fixture. T5s run 12 hours per day, MH runs 7 hours. Thought about 6 months on the T5s and 12 months on the MH. Running ATI Blue (+) and Phoenix 14K (250W). Have 90% SPS.

 

[tilo]

Sounds like the same plan for me. I run 4 on that 12 hour cycle and I think it cuts them down to about 6 months.

As for my 150 Watt DE, I'm thinking of replacing it every 8 months. I know that's a little foolish but I don't want a spectrum decline after a year then ramp up to a new bulb.

This is all assumption, I have no hard data to support any of it so please take with large grains of salt.

 

[MisterP]

Sounds good. Stagger your bulb changes as in at month 6 don't replace all bulbs at once. Replace one bulb a week for 2 weeks.

 

[atrox]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature1