T5 Tubes-how Long Between Replacements

[alanchown]

I have 2 T5 tubes and they are getting towards a year old. Do they need changing every year as per the traditional type or do they last longer-if so how long between change overs?

Alan

 

[zig]

I would say no you don't need to change them every year. Until they blow or stop functioning no need to change them other than that IMO.

 

[piper]

The output of the lamps will drop over time. If your looking for Max performance you need to change them every 6 months or so.

Email the company of the lamp and ask them how the peformance of the lamp is over time.

 

[zig]

The output of the lamps will drop over time. If your looking for Max performance you need to change them every 6 months or so.

Email the company of the lamp and ask them how the peformance of the lamp is over time.

I beg to differ piper, after 6 months I doubt you will notice any difference whatsoever with T5 tubes, I would say the advantage gained is so marginal to be insignificant after that period of time.

There certainly is a better case to swap out T8 tubes every year or so, but even then a year may be to soon IMO, 18 months probably, 12 months maybe not.

 

[SuperColey1]

I beg to differ piper, after 6 months I doubt you will notice any difference whatsoever with T5 tubes, I would say the advantage gained is so marginal to be insignificant after that period of time.

There certainly is a better case to swap out T8 tubes every year or so, but even then a year may be to soon IMO, 18 months probably, 12 months maybe not.

I think you answered the quesion there without knowing it. YOU will see no NOTICEABLE difference whatsoever

The human eye will not be able to tell when the bulbs efficiency and output is on the wane until it has changed dramatically. Bulbs start to lose their brightness as soon as you first use them, its just a case of how much they lose is not noticeable by us and it is minimal in the first few months and then gets progressively more. Some quality bulbs will last longer than others. all depends on what you have and if you have some way of measureing the output (which I guess none of us have)

I would suggest though that 6 months is a little on the short side after all unless you are buying you bulbs at a cheap price then you are gonna spend a lot of money.

I would suggest if you have multiple bulbs to change them alternatley i.e. if you have 2 bulbs the front one in the summer and the back one in the winter, therefore not letting both bulbs get to a worn out stage, and then BOOM blinded by 2 new bulbs.

 

[zig]

Well I suppose it depends on how you define "worn out"? even after a year I bet the difference is marginal with T5 tubes, I mean what are we talking about here, 10% 20% 50% lumen difference?? major spectral shifts?? I doubt it, I would suggest the tubes will still grow plants perfectly well even after an extended period of time.

 

[alanchown]

Well I suppose it depends on how you define "worn out"? even after a year I bet the difference is marginal with T5 tubes, I mean what are we talking about here, 10% 20% 50% lumen difference?? major spectral shifts?? I doubt it, I would suggest the tubes will still grow plants perfectly well even after an extended period of time.

That was my understanding-that T5 tubes lasted longer, but no idea how much longer! At £20 a throw i don't want to change them out for no reason.

Alan

 

[zig]

Well this very same debate happened over on Planted Tank about 1 1/2 years ago and some very respected aquarists/scientists (referring specifically to Tom Barr as the scientist) all chimed in for a rather lengthy thread full of debate charts scientific evidence etc, the bottom line was that the tubes will function perfectly well for growing plants until they actually blow, then you should replace them.

 

[George Farmer]

Plants will adjust as the bulbs adjust, because it is so gradual.

Generally you can "get away" with waiting to replacing most bulbs, including T8s, until they fail. The more modern tri and quadphosphor tend to give a constant output until they fail.

 

[piper]

I agree with all of you. I only change my bulbs when they blow. I was only pointing out that to have maximum output you would need to change your bulbs regularly.