NO Flourescent tubes longetivity

[Aquafreak]

Anyone use flourescent tubes till they burn out? If not how long do you keep them for? Do they show a huge decline in plant growth as they age? I know that they wear down with time but anyone ever tested how long they last till visible signs in plant growth shows?

[OrionGirl]

I replace mine about every 8 months. I have 2, so alternate the replacement.

Haven't tested, but I can certainly notice the increased growth following replacement, so I think that even the 8 months is too long to retain the best spectrum output.

[Slappy*McFish]

I replace mine about every 8 months as well. I never alternated them though, just replaced them all at the same time...makes sense if you originally bought them all at the same time. I have 2 lights on my 55, and 2 on my 10. You can definetly tell the difference after replacing them both...the plants can too.

[RTR]

It also depends on the particular tube - Tritons last 18-24 months routinely for me with very little loss of output. SPX-50s (GE Sunshine) drop off much faster and need relacing after 6-12 months, depending on light level needed/wanted in the particular tank. Staggering the replacements on multitube tanks will help even out the light output, as previously mentioned.

[Aquafreak]

Any have experience with Arcadia Freshwater Lamps? Longetivity wise.

Thanks for replies so far guys.

[SnakeIce]

RTR you say that tritons last almost 2 years wow I have only 30 watts on my 20 and if the out put of that 30 watts drops very much my plants stop growing as well. I can get the ge's to work in my setup for only 6 months and they are shot as far as the plants are concerned

So the question is, If you have more initial wattage(higher wpg) then you can get away with using the bulbs for longer?

and plants that 'require' high light could be grown with less if you replaced the bulbs every month. thus not letting the output fall below what they require. Obviously it is easyer and cheaper to give the elevated light level than go through that. but in theory would this be so?

[RTR]

"So the question is, If you have more initial wattage(higher wpg) then you can get away with using the bulbs for longer?"


-It would sound logical, but in practice it doesn't work. If you have higher wattage, you need more CO2 and other nutrients, then the light drops and you have excess nutrient. Plus you start running higher light plants successfully, then they slow down and get algae coated.

Consistent light, like consistent pH, is a benefit.

On tube types, you buy what pleases you visually - or I do. Buy expensive tubes less often, cheap tubes more often.

[SnakeIce]

without ordering online i only have easy access to the ge line. I tryed using their sunlight bulb but the plants wouldn't grow as well with them as their plant and aquarium bulbs. the sunlight looks better, brighter but the plants clearly like the redder plant and aquarium bulb which doesn't look as nice.

so this is my story. I have what is considered a low light tank, 1.5 wpg. but using the best for the plants I have found I have several medium/high light plants in my tank, melon sword and hygrophilia to mention what is Growing in my tank at the moment among other things. GE's Plant and Aquarium bulb is effective for these plants for only 5 or 6 months max befor i get the algea growth starting really bad and I have to replace the bulbs.

would the tritons allow the plants I have to continue growing even with my low light. are they as good for plants as the ones I am using

all the money in the world won't make a big fancy setup grow nice plants if i am a klutz about things so I am trying to learn the process with my little tank

[RTR]

The Triton would likely grow about the same or a bit better, and would run longer. But it costs much more than the GE tubes.