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How to tell when it's time to change T5 bulbs
- Thread starter hotchill
- Start date
Can someone tell me how to tell when it's time to change the bulbs?
I just keep mine until they burn out... I don't think there would be a point to changing them if they aren't dead.
T5 bulbs can lose as much as 40% of their output within 18 months. This information is from my days of keeping reef aquariums where lighting is one of the major factors of success.
Do you need to replace them that often for growing plants? I can't say, as with an aquarium you need the light to penetrate the water which is much more difficult than air.
Do you need to replace them that often for growing plants? I can't say, as with an aquarium you need the light to penetrate the water which is much more difficult than air.
Each manufacturer gives an idea of operating hours. I've found it simple to mark the packaging of each bulb with rough run time (say 18/6 from March to September) and replace well before manufacturer specs (bearing in mind company literature is always "optimistic").
Waiting for the bulb to pop is... another way of doing it.
Most T5 fall between 20-30k operating hours. At 8 hours a day you aren't even close, especially as rated lifetime hours are based on much shorter cycles (on/off), giving reduced bulb life.
Waiting for the bulb to pop is... another way of doing it.
Most T5 fall between 20-30k operating hours. At 8 hours a day you aren't even close, especially as rated lifetime hours are based on much shorter cycles (on/off), giving reduced bulb life.