Why did my brand new T5 light change colour?

[Squibege]

Pictures are taken 2 days apart. Tank is much less blue now. At first I assumed it was just more diatoms building up on the rock but comparing pictures immature it has to do with the bulbs.

My original 4 bulb HOT5 (Fluval) decided to stop working a few weeks ago, so I bought a new 2 bulb HOT5 from the LFS that came with one actinic bulb and one white bulb (I'm planning on adding some LEDs in time to it). The light was not taken off the tank- just slid out of the way to feed with a turkey baster and back again. Both bulbs are still light up

Did my actinic die? Should I put in a warranty claim?? I don't want another light to be busted!!

Tuesday:

Thursday:

Any help would be awesome!! TIA

 

[Lostinthedark]

Can't really say much from the pictures but T5 bulbs do have a break in period. I know the actinics start off a little darker but build up par after a few days of use. You might want to consider a quality bulb from ATI or Giesemann.

 

[Squibege]

Thanks! I wasn't aware bulbs had a break-in period

 

[jstack]

wow that first pic is jaw-dropping blue ascent are gorgeous

 

[Squibege]

wow that first pic is jaw-dropping blue ascent are gorgeous

Thanks! That's why I'm so bummed out it doesn't look like that anymore :sad1:

 

[Dkuhlmann]

That isn't normal, I'd contact the place where you bought them and show them the pictures.

 

[mgraf]

I agree, break in period yes, total color change. No.

 

[Squibege]

My dad (who's helping me get this thing up and running) insisted we at least check it out with the LFS we got it from. They checked it out and said something was weird with the bulb and that the light actually should have come with a different bulb. So he just swapped it out for the 'right' one

 

[Dkuhlmann]

And so how does it look now?

 

[chilli_reef]

Make sure the bulb is seated correctly as well.

 

[Squibege]

Back to blue!