How often are you supposed to change your T5 bulbs?

[jessesoto33]

Just wondering because I'm switching bulb from MH to T5's

 

[lurking]

9 months to be safe. But really depends on how long you run them for during the day.

 

[sklywag]

My bulbs stated they have something like 16,000 hours of longevity. I don't understand how companies can advertise that kind of time and then they don't come close to it.
9 monyths times 10 hours a day we'll say, is 2,700 hours. Well under what they state they'll last.
These bulb companies I would think have done their research on this. If bulbs with ratings into the teens of thousands and they fall way short of it. They are falsely advertising them and way over priced as well.

 

[WestHillsReefer]

it depends on the fixture. if your fixture has independent fans for the reflectors then they last longer then fixtures that dont. Ati fixtures the pars start dropping after about 8 to 9 months if you run them 8 to 9 hours a day. the bulbs can last up to 13 months though. tek lights and similar fixtures ive noticed the pars dropping after about 5 to 6 months but can last up to 8 to 9 months.

 

[Raskal311]

From what I can remember T5s will loose 20% par in 10 months at 8hrs a day.

 

[jessesoto33]

So 6 to 9 months! Thanks

 

[JOSE CASAS]

From what I can remember T5s will loose 20% par in 10 months at 8hrs a day.

Is that overdriven the lamp? Because I thought it was less than that.

 

[Dooly]

no not 6-9 months, you are just throwing money away if you replace them every 6 months.. I would recommend 10-12 months of use if you keep them on for 8-9 hours per day

 

[Raskal311]

Is that overdriven the lamp? Because I thought it was less than that.

Cant remember but per icecap the overdriven bulbs does not loose that much more. Then again they are the one selling the overdrive ballast.

 

[RTG]

IMO, a lot will also depend on the bulb quality and even each individual bulb. I'm sure some of the cheaper bulbs won't have the same usable life.

 

[bigian]

IMO, a lot will also depend on the bulb quality and even each individual bulb. I'm sure some of the cheaper bulbs won't have the same usable life.

And if the bulbs are in a quality fixture that has active cooling...

 

[dfladermaus]

Ian is right, it is completely dependent on the fixture and GTR is right about the bulbs. If you are running something like a Tek fixture with no fans or shield then expect to change every 8-9 months. If you are running a Tek elite or ATI fixture you could go upwards of 12-13 months. If you use nice bulbs like KZ or ATI then you can expect more constant PAR over a longer time than using something like a wavepoint or UVL bulb.