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I was discussing this with my LFS today and she explained it is the UV in the lighting and this usually lasts only 12 months but that does not mean toss out and replace they "Can" be still workable for up to another 12 months.
In this case I am referring to good quality Aquarium lighting.

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Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Hi,
As the bulbs burn, the phosphors used inside the bulb
age and the bulb "burns in." While that happens the
frequency of the light also shifts and the amount of light
drops (lumen's) drops off. After the burn in period, the
bulbs continue to age, and while the frequency shift
becomes more stable, the brightness drops off.
As the bulbs age, the shifts begin to fall into the range
where algae makes better use of the light than the plants
do.

I know several folks who simply put the bulbs in, run them
till they cease to burn and then replace them. If you do
this, over time, the inhabitants of the tank, both plants
and fish, grow used to the aging and dimming lights.
When you replace the bulbs, its like us walking from a
dimly lit room into the bright sunlight. We squint our
eyes, or close them till they get used to the brighter
light. In a tank, the fish will hide under plants, and the
plants will need to shift their systems to grow accustomed
to the newer, brighter, light. That can trigger a crypt
melt, and it can cause other plants to have a "set back"
or even burn their leaves. The result can be the death
of larger, older, leaves, and the beginnings of the
growth of new leaves.

When I change bulbs (I have two) I replace the main bulb
(the one that runs 10hrs/day/365) with the one that runs
only 4 hrs/day and put the new bulb in the 4 hour socket.
That way I minimize any trauma to the tank.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Is it true, that roughly you must change the light tubes every year, if you put on the lights 10 hours daily?.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Hi,
Yes, "serious" gardeners change the bulbs annually.
However, there are probably nearly as many that wait till
the bulb won't light any more and then they finally change
them out. For many it's a matter of finances.

http://www.plantsalive.co.uk/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=8

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=375

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200406/msg00312.html
I added this link because of the comment about the
5000K rating bulbs and algae. As the bulbs age, the
K rating drifts downward. I use 6700K bulbs on my tank.

Hope this helps...
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--