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Hey how often should the bulbs in aquarium lights be replaced? just in general? just curious.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

depends on a couple of things....

but in general Flor. Tubes, your T?,every 6 months for most effectiveness

CF bulbs are good for 12 to 14 months......

As will all products, some bulbs because of the manufactors lasr a little long er other a little shorter

I personally have found it best to buy them online, but only if you going to order more than 2, this balances out the shipping cost, and you actually save money, compared to buying at LFS. Dr Fosters and Smith, currently have the best selection that I have found.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Are you trying to grow plants or just light the tank to see the fishies?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Im hopeing for both yes i really want to have a lightly planted tank. just anubias and java fern or moss.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Then as DJ said, about every 6 months. After that the output changes and the algae seems to get more benefit than the plants. I'm sure a plant person can explain the whys and whatnot They are a clever bunch.



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

mk. thanks Dj and callatya. preciate it.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

Hi,
Most folks who use fluorescent bulbs of any kind (VHO
Regular, Compact, etc) in planted tanks will change
them annually. To remember, pick a day (birthday,
1st day of Spring, etc) and change the bulbs out on that
day.

Things you need to know about fluorescent bulbs:
If you go to one of the large hardware stores or rummage
through catalogs for fluorescent bulbs you will find these
terms.

Color Temperature, listed in Degrees Kelvin.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/pg/KelvinTempExplained/
Use lights that are in the 6000-8800 (preferably 6700-
8800K) range.

CRI, the Color Rendering Index.. the higher the number,
the truer the color.

Initial Lumen's... the bulbs approximate light output
after the "burn in time" (100 hours).

These bulbs work by sealing a gas inside them along with
what looks like a white powder (phosphors) the starter and
filament bring the temperature of the gas to critical and
the phosphors give off light (really short explanation
with lots of poetic license). As the phosphors give off
light, they age and the frequency of the light shifts,
downward, over time. As this happens the K rating
decreases and the bulb puts out less and less light.
This is why, despite bulbs rated at 18,000 hours, the
"purists" change the bulbs annually.

Now, when changing bulbs, you should not change more than
one bulb at a time. If you have a hood with two bulbs,
you would change them annually, but one in say, January,
and the other in the next month. The bulbs loose output
as they age. Then along you come and change them both at
the same time, BAM! The plants and fish are hit with
a "light" shock. It is as if you were kept in a dark room
for a while and then suddenly you are exposed to the
bright sunlight of a cloudless sky. The fish will hide
under plants for shade, and the plants will be shocked and
have to acclimate to the increased light.

Frank


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