Stupid Lighting Question

[the_lock_man]

Is it necessary to replace standard CFL bulbs annually, as per the manufacturer's instructions, or this another fallacy, designed to ensure the manufacturers make a decent profit?

 

[Chad]

Bulbs do fade with time but if that's right at a year or not is up for debate. With my reef tank I would notice a change in the corals that was a signal to me to change the bulbs but it was seldom right at the manufacturer's recommended time frame. I always felt that if I was getting the growth and color I expected there was no reason to change them.

On a side note I no longer have to worry about that since I run LED's on both tanks now.

 

[the_lock_man]

Yeah, LEDs is something I want to look into. Thanks for answering!

 

[Chad]

I've glad I made the switch. On certain tanks, like a reef tank, bulb replacement can cost quite a bit. I had two fixtures with 6 T5HO bulbs in each. Annual replacement for 12 bulbs is costly which was really what originally motivated me to see how long they would last.

When I got my 210 gallon tank it was too deep for T5HO lights to penetrate with enough PAR to matter at the bottom so I needed a new light. I really didn't want do deal with the heat of metal halide and those bulbs cost even more. So LED's it was. I am glad too. It's worth it for the low heat output alone. I live in a place where it gets 117 degrees F and so heat matters!