Tank Lighting

[Humphshouse]

I have had a tropical aquarium running quite successfuly for 5 or 6 years now and in all this time have not changed the neon tube in the hood. I've just read in a guide for setting up a new aquarium which came with a new tank that my girlfriend has just bought, (her first) that I quote
"Neon tubes last approximately 1 year maximum, they continue to operate beyond this time,but are no longer effective in the aquarium. You must therefore remember to change them once a year."
Can anybody advise, or at least "enlighten" me

Thanks very much.

 

[HawkEye]

Flourescent lights do only last about 6 months to a year depending on the quality of the bulb abd the amount of hours it logs...if your tank is planted then it is a must that you change your bulbs...but if you have plastic plants or no plants at all then you probably could use the same bulb....but bulbs are so cheap these days I would get a new one...after 6 years yours must have lost some of its brightness...You will notice a difference...

 

[Kossy]

Well I recently bought a second hand light that came with a tube..i matched it with my lights and theres a noticible difference

 

[Lateral Line]

Fluorescents do, as stated above, deteriorate over time. Some fade away gradually, others give good performance for a period and then fail quite rapidly, Tritons for example - what I use.

 

[Alien Anna]

My husband (who studied physics at university) says its because air gradually seeps through the glass of the tube and mixes with the fluorescent gases, changing their wavelength and reducing their luminescence, which is why old tubes never die, they just fade away.

I have a problem - lights are extremely expensive in UK, not cheap at all, so I'm very loath to get rid of tubes I've replaced and I'm getting quite a collection. But I'm too mean to chuck them out. What can I do? Or will I have to appear on that show where people are forced to get rid of junk?

 

[colin5861]

Thats the truth Anna - lights are expensive in the UK. Has any UK member of the forum found a cheaper supply ?


Colin

 

[spanky_pp_]

My husband (who studied physics at university) says its because air gradually seeps through the glass of the tube and mixes with the fluorescent gases, changing their wavelength and reducing their luminescence, which is why old tubes never die, they just fade away.

I have a problem - lights are extremely expensive in UK, not cheap at all, so I'm very loath to get rid of tubes I've replaced and I'm getting quite a collection. But I'm too mean to chuck them out. What can I do? Or will I have to appear on that show where people are forced to get rid of junk?

Anna... Yeah, ill have to report you to the life laumdry tv show... Theyll strip your used tubes from you hehehe.