How often should I be changing bulbs in my fixture? I've got a Coralife 130W compact fluorescent.... Please advise.
When to change bulbs?
- Thread starter golfproinlexky
- Start date
I like the wait til it burns out theory...more money for buying new stuff. I hear that the spectrum changes, does that mean the light isn't as powerful or the color just changes a bit in the tank? Or is all of this false?
i cant tell you much on the compact fluorescent but once again some just keep the light till it burns out and say there wasnt really a change in their plant growth.. There had been a few other topics on this question. Im sure someone can give you a better answer
Here is a thread on that topic http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141169
Their are opposing opinions, so it depends on who you ask. I included my experience in that thread. I read in a different thread that when you look at the bulb when its off if you see black discoloration its time to replace.
Their are opposing opinions, so it depends on who you ask. I included my experience in that thread. I read in a different thread that when you look at the bulb when its off if you see black discoloration its time to replace.
depends on how much you want to spend and how often.
there are a few guys here that I would consider an authority on planted aquariums..they say run em till they burn out.
there are a few guys here that I would consider an authority on planted aquariums..they say run em till they burn out.
This excerpt is taken from Rex Grigg's web site:
"There are rumors running around the Internet that you need to replace your fluorescent tubes every year or so. I feel that is a myth. If you have high quality compact fluorescent bulbs you can run them till they drop. If you have low light levels and inexpensive standard fluorescent tubes then you can replace them every 12-18 months."
TR
"There are rumors running around the Internet that you need to replace your fluorescent tubes every year or so. I feel that is a myth. If you have high quality compact fluorescent bulbs you can run them till they drop. If you have low light levels and inexpensive standard fluorescent tubes then you can replace them every 12-18 months."
TR
tanker
Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Many years ago I used a "Lumenometer" (did I spell that right??) to measure light in my tanks with PC bulbs. The bulbs light/power drops to about 60% after about 10months. Ever since then I always change my bulbs (PC) every 10-12 months. I never wait more then a year. I "KNOW", it is very expensive, but I love my tank-jungle.
PS--The meter is used to test lights for taking pictures.
PS--The meter is used to test lights for taking pictures.
Cool, sounds like there are plenty of different opinions and data to back them up....think I'll take my chances on letting them burn, as my wife might call off the entire hobby if I start replacing bulbs often.