When to change lights

[chemflex]

I have a Juwel Rio 180 aquarium and I was just wondering how often the lights should be changed?

 

[Dubby]

Once a year should be OK.

 

[cutechic]

My lfs told me every 4-6 months. I wonder if this is because of the type of light or the fact that they want to sell me more bulbs than necessary

 

[Dubby]

My lfs told me every 4-6 months.  I wonder if this is because of the type of light or the fact that they want to sell me more bulbs than necessary    

Hmmm.....

If you leave the lights on for an average 10hrs/day it would have been used for around 1800hrs in 6mths. Is this anywhere close to say 80% of the tube life?

 

[Bol]

If you don't have live plants, I'm not sure it matters much.

If you have live plants, most people will suggest changing them every six months.

 

[njparton]

Every 6 months is what I heard

 

[Doggfather]

yeah, if you have plants, and leave 1 bulb in for say 12 months, then attach a new one, i think the plants get burnt....or is that just for coral?

so you need to change every 6 months

 

[Lateral Line]

It depends on the quality of the lamp as well. A good quality modern PolyPhosphor tube actually doesn't fade that much for most of it's life, then deteriorates quickly. Cheap tubes start fading from day one because the electrodes in the end caps are poorly made.