Lighting

[andyboy!!]

It says in my little book that the fluorescent tube should be changed yearly as it degrades in quality after time even though it still comes on.

So off I trot to my local pet shop to purchase one where I am told that this isn't true, they can last upto 5 years.

Anyone know any better?

Cheers
Andy.

 

[dthoffsett]

If I remember correctly, the lights can last up to five years before burning out, however the level (waves) of light output that they are originally rated for start to degrade in 6 months to a year. Now if you have a fish only tank, this isn't a problem; for planted tanks you should replace the lights every 6 months to a year.

I could be wrong though, wait and see what others think.

 

[George Farmer]

Most flourescent tubes will gradually decrease in intensity over a period. Their spectrum will also change. Some last longer than others before they completely fail. So your "five years" is true to an extent.

If you're growing plants or corals then changing the tubes more frequently is recommended. I change my tubes every 12 months or so.

This said, most plants and corals will adapt to the change in intensity and spectrum. One needs to be careful when swapping multiple tubes at once, as photoshock can occur, where the plants or corals will react to the sudden change.

Many tri-phosphor (or quad) will give a fairly stable light output, then fail completely.

 

[andyboy!!]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I have had mine since Christmas 2005, so thats just over a year. I only intend to keep a few plants (not a full 'planted tank'), so I think I will be ok for the time being???

Ta
Andy.