t5 - bulb replacement

[Bill Z]

I'm thinking of geting a tek 4 x 54 watt.

how offten do you replace your bulbs?
and
do you replace them all at the same time?

[Loverotties]

If they're all new at the same time then yes at the same time.And 9 months to a yr.

[theplatypus]

I thought t5 bulbs were in the 12-18 month range.

[Loverotties]

Some do ,But you will see a difference in your tank at that time.

[Bill Z]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

If they're all new at the same time then yes at the same time.And 9 months to a yr.

Is that a shock to the tank? All new bulbs at the same time.

[90_berlin_joe]

Bill, if you are buying a new TEK then yes your bulb will all be new. I suggest going with the UTI[UV] brand bulbs. Other great brand are Geismann. They should last from 1 year to 15 months, when you go to replace them do one bulb at a time over a week period. The reason for this is that over time your coral has acclimated itself to the lose of PAR from your lights. Replacing your bulbs all at once might cause bleaching and death. Replace 1 bulb at a time to allow your coral to adjust.

[Wiskey]

Good post 90_Berlin_Joe.

I've been keeping a close eye on my 4*54W Tek retro. Randomly about every 2 or 3 weeks I've been checking the light output with my Lux meater, the way things are going right now it looks like a year is about it's lot. They do drop off, but not nearly as bad as PC's or VHO IME. I am using 30% loss as the limit, when I hit that I am going to replace, I am at about 15% and about 6 months right now. The dropoff has been rather linear so far, so I hope it will continue that trend and give me a solid year.

Whiskey

[afbengochea]

hey wiskey, what bulb combination are u using? Im looking to upgrade and getting ideas on what bulbs to order

[90_berlin_joe]

Thanks Wiskey, I knew you would have posted sooner or later since I am 2 hours ahead of you.

[Wiskey, been meaning to let you know that the Nitrate problem is under control now and tank is doing great. Thanks again]

[Bill Z]

Thanks for the replys. one more question

reefgeek has a retro and a ready fit. Is it better to get the retro and mount the ballast outside of the canopy, or should I just get the ready fit and mount that in my canopy.
The real question is do the ballast give off a lot of heat?

[afbengochea]

I think it would be better to have the retro and have the remote ballast to avoid heating up the canopy. Im also planning on upgrading the reflectors to Ice caps to increase efficiency so I wouldnt be able to use the ready kits

[Bill Z]

so are the Ice cap reflectors better?
What ballast ice cap or the other one?

Wiskey and 90 berlin joe what set up do you have?

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by afbengochea

hey wiskey, what bulb combination are u using? Im looking to upgrade and getting ideas on what bulbs to order

I have the 4 bulb retro because I bought it to go over a 50G tank. Front to back
11,000K
Atinic Blue
6500K
11,000K

If I were to do it again I would probably go with 2 6,500K, and 2 atinic Blues.

Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by 90_berlin_joe

Thanks Wiskey, I knew you would have posted sooner or later since I am 2 hours ahead of you.

[Wiskey, been meaning to let you know that the Nitrate problem is under control now and tank is doing great. Thanks again]

Glad to hear about the nitrate! Glad it all worked out for you.

Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by Bill Z

Thanks for the replys. one more question

reefgeek has a retro and a ready fit. Is it better to get the retro and mount the ballast outside of the canopy, or should I just get the ready fit and mount that in my canopy.
The real question is do the ballast give off a lot of heat?

The ballast doesn't get super hot, but it does give off heat. I would go with the retro every time.

Whiskey