iSpeakWhale
Member
From what I understand you should replace it every 12 months? Or till it burn out? LOL But really how do you know when you need to replace your lighting?
When to replace your MH/T5/VHO/PC?
- Thread starter iSpeakWhale
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iSpeakWhale
Member
^-bump
tgunn
Active member
I'm tagging along too...
From what I've read, the replacement schedules most people use are:
MH - every 8-12 months
VHO - every 12 months
PC - every 8-12 months
T5 - every 4 years
I'm currently trying to decide on the lighting for the 140 gallon (48wide x 24high x 28 deep) tank I'm planning.
The replacement schedule of the T5s make them quite attractive to me.
I'd be curious to see some "numbers" relating to the useful spectrum of the various bulb types over time. I know many people use rules of thumb like I've mentioned above but I'm really curious if that's backed by real numbers.
Tyler
From what I've read, the replacement schedules most people use are:
MH - every 8-12 months
VHO - every 12 months
PC - every 8-12 months
T5 - every 4 years
I'm currently trying to decide on the lighting for the 140 gallon (48wide x 24high x 28 deep) tank I'm planning.
The replacement schedule of the T5s make them quite attractive to me.
I'd be curious to see some "numbers" relating to the useful spectrum of the various bulb types over time. I know many people use rules of thumb like I've mentioned above but I'm really curious if that's backed by real numbers.
Tyler
sherm71tank
Premium Member
I would have to seriously disagree on the vho life of 12 months, I noticed changes in my tank after just over 6 months running vho's. I went to pc after the vho and liked them much better- lasted alot longer and now I'm fidling with the t-5's but since I swtiched to the t-5's I've been having algae growth problems. I changed the bulb configuration around and I will wait and see what happens.
LittleBlueGT
New member
From what I have seen this is the schedule I would use.
Good MH lamps: 10-14 mnths
ATI T5 Aquablue: 18-24 mnths
ATI T5 Blue+: 14-18 mnths
ATI T5 actinic: 14-16 mnths
If you are using the T5s as primary lighting I would follow this schedule. If you are using them as supplemental I think you could go quite a bit longer, just change them when they don't color the corals as well.
I have seen people go over 2 yrs with MH lamps, but they did depreciate in output a large amount. Care has to be taken then when putting in new bulbs to acclimate the corals to the higher intensity.
Good MH lamps: 10-14 mnths
ATI T5 Aquablue: 18-24 mnths
ATI T5 Blue+: 14-18 mnths
ATI T5 actinic: 14-16 mnths
If you are using the T5s as primary lighting I would follow this schedule. If you are using them as supplemental I think you could go quite a bit longer, just change them when they don't color the corals as well.
I have seen people go over 2 yrs with MH lamps, but they did depreciate in output a large amount. Care has to be taken then when putting in new bulbs to acclimate the corals to the higher intensity.
iSpeakWhale
Member
I'm just curious what the expert has to say to this. Maybe someone from a vendor perhaps? Everyone would have a different opinion on lighting... I mean our color palette is different from one another. A blue may look purpler to another while the same may look green.
I do believe PC last longer than VHO but then againt I'm no expert to say that is true for sure.
Maybe I should ask "JB NY" from this thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254667 to look into lifespan on each bulb.
And expert out there are more than welcome for their input.
Thanks again in advance!
I do believe PC last longer than VHO but then againt I'm no expert to say that is true for sure.
Maybe I should ask "JB NY" from this thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254667 to look into lifespan on each bulb.
And expert out there are more than welcome for their input.
Thanks again in advance!
iSpeakWhale
Member
^bump
mvandepeer
New member
What about T-12's?
I have 2 30W T-12's
I know the # is the bulb size but does that affect the lifespan?
That and what does the "bump" mean? lol
I have 2 30W T-12's
I know the # is the bulb size but does that affect the lifespan?
That and what does the "bump" mean? lol
iSpeakWhale
Member
bump is the bump I have on my head... J/K
Basically when you you enter a new message the thread will go back up to the top up the list so you're basically bumping it so that more people will see the post.
T12 are new... I would leave the expert to answer that one.
Basically when you you enter a new message the thread will go back up to the top up the list so you're basically bumping it so that more people will see the post.
T12 are new... I would leave the expert to answer that one.
Thomas Geisel
New member
T5 should be changed every 6 to 8 month.
Where did you get 6-8 months for the T5s..
You are off by 12-18 months..
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104048.html
You are off by 12-18 months..
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104048.html
Thomas Geisel said:
iSpeakWhale
Member
^bump
Sorry, been away on vacation and haven't been on top of things. I think I will invite a few vendors for their input.
Sorry, been away on vacation and haven't been on top of things. I think I will invite a few vendors for their input.
VHO's are more in the range of 18-24 months. And I'm not just guessing. You can go to IceCap's messageboard on here and ask ASH. VHO's within the first 10 weeks settle themselves in to 10% less than when they were initially turned on, which is normal. However, they don't lose anymore for the next 18-24 months.
From IceCap:
I was invited to respond and glad to have the opportunity to silence some rumors.
The prior post regarding new VHO's (or any T-12 lamp) is in error. Fluorescent lamps other than the new T-5 HO's, all lose 10% of initial output in the first 100 hours of operation (and at that point output is considered 100%). After that they slowly lose output and will remain above 85% of specified output for two years when run by our electronic ballasts. (BTW, they don't shift colors as they age.)
Most of the short life estimates above were true at one time, but things change. VHO was infamous for 6 to 9 months of 80% plus output before a sharp drop off. That is the result of using a billboard type conventional ballast which is hard on the lamp when starting and during operation. We use high frequency to get results and a ballast that adjusts to the load. Heat is also a factor on fluorescent lamp life. If the ambient temperature around a lamp is 150F or more you will lose output and lamp life. T-5's again are the only exception and can tolerate higher operating temperatures. The heat issue is why PCs are a bad design for a fluorescent lamp. Besides the fact that the design cuts down on the ability to direct light where you want it, one half of the lamp cooks the other side. Other factors are proper endcap installation for sound connections between the endcap and the lamp's bi-pins. I recommend relamping every 18 - 24 months when using good VHO lamps and our ballasts. Even though super actinics lose output faster, the amount of light at that end of the spectrum is so over the top, that you could use them till they don't phosphoresce to your liking and forget about the lamp's age. With overdriving NO lamps (T-12 & T-8) I recommend 12 months.
T-5 HO lamps are not an unbent PC, they are a new technology. I've tested GE 6.5K lamps for the equivalent of 2 years on a reef tank with improper venting of heat and still found you were getting above 90% after 24 months, being overdriven on our VHO ballasts (a 54-watt lamp runs at 85-watts). On a T-5 HO ballast, 3 - 4 years is doable. Don't run these lamps on a ballast that doesn't shut down power to a dead lamp. Also there are many brands of T-5 HO lamps and we'll have to learn what's good and what's not.
MH is a bit more messy but using electronic ballasts lowers the initial starting voltage and if it's a high frequency ballast, eliminates the constant on/off of the bulb's arc. Those are the main factors of MH bulb life. Heat is not a factor. In fact they thrive in a hot environment (the bulbs, not the ballasts). For most bulbs I would suggest 14 - 18 months. More for an Iwasaki bulb, less for some of the less expensive new imports. MH bulbs do shift color over time and if they're under or over powered will give off different Kelvin characteristics then they were specified to provide.
I'm sure I left a lot out but feel free to follow up.
Andy
I was invited to respond and glad to have the opportunity to silence some rumors.
The prior post regarding new VHO's (or any T-12 lamp) is in error. Fluorescent lamps other than the new T-5 HO's, all lose 10% of initial output in the first 100 hours of operation (and at that point output is considered 100%). After that they slowly lose output and will remain above 85% of specified output for two years when run by our electronic ballasts. (BTW, they don't shift colors as they age.)
Most of the short life estimates above were true at one time, but things change. VHO was infamous for 6 to 9 months of 80% plus output before a sharp drop off. That is the result of using a billboard type conventional ballast which is hard on the lamp when starting and during operation. We use high frequency to get results and a ballast that adjusts to the load. Heat is also a factor on fluorescent lamp life. If the ambient temperature around a lamp is 150F or more you will lose output and lamp life. T-5's again are the only exception and can tolerate higher operating temperatures. The heat issue is why PCs are a bad design for a fluorescent lamp. Besides the fact that the design cuts down on the ability to direct light where you want it, one half of the lamp cooks the other side. Other factors are proper endcap installation for sound connections between the endcap and the lamp's bi-pins. I recommend relamping every 18 - 24 months when using good VHO lamps and our ballasts. Even though super actinics lose output faster, the amount of light at that end of the spectrum is so over the top, that you could use them till they don't phosphoresce to your liking and forget about the lamp's age. With overdriving NO lamps (T-12 & T-8) I recommend 12 months.
T-5 HO lamps are not an unbent PC, they are a new technology. I've tested GE 6.5K lamps for the equivalent of 2 years on a reef tank with improper venting of heat and still found you were getting above 90% after 24 months, being overdriven on our VHO ballasts (a 54-watt lamp runs at 85-watts). On a T-5 HO ballast, 3 - 4 years is doable. Don't run these lamps on a ballast that doesn't shut down power to a dead lamp. Also there are many brands of T-5 HO lamps and we'll have to learn what's good and what's not.
MH is a bit more messy but using electronic ballasts lowers the initial starting voltage and if it's a high frequency ballast, eliminates the constant on/off of the bulb's arc. Those are the main factors of MH bulb life. Heat is not a factor. In fact they thrive in a hot environment (the bulbs, not the ballasts). For most bulbs I would suggest 14 - 18 months. More for an Iwasaki bulb, less for some of the less expensive new imports. MH bulbs do shift color over time and if they're under or over powered will give off different Kelvin characteristics then they were specified to provide.
I'm sure I left a lot out but feel free to follow up.
Andy
LittleBlueGT
New member
Great info ASH!
I just got some VHO actinics because the T5s didn't have the color that I liked. It is nice to know that I can keep them until I am not satisfied with the color.
I just got some VHO actinics because the T5s didn't have the color that I liked. It is nice to know that I can keep them until I am not satisfied with the color.
Sry, I was trying to remember your previous responses to VHO bulbs lasting 18-24 months on IceCap ballasts. Basically, I got the 10% mixed up with 15% and from 10 weeks to 100 hours. Still, the overall message(conclusion) of my response is not far off. That they last a lot longer than many have stated on here lately with fairly minimal output lost. Thank you for clearing this up ASH.
sherm71tank
Premium Member
WOW, great information. Thanks!
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