T5 tube - change how often

Normally after how long do i need to chnage the T5 tubes ? i hv been using a 2 tube T5 horpar for abt 6mths and 10hrs a day..the brightness level seem to have dropped..can anyone advice pl

[Neurogen]

Originally Posted by gch123

Normally after how long do i need to chnage the T5 tubes ? i hv been using a 2 tube T5 horpar for abt 6mths and 10hrs a day..the brightness level seem to have dropped..can anyone advice pl

I usually change it once the light seems yellowish and the sides turning brown/black burn.

Hi,
some serious hobbyist change thier tubes after 6 -9mths. I make a change of the tubes after 12 mths or when i see the plants which needs high light to flourish, not doing well with the similar tank conditions. For example, Glosso starting to grow upwards instead of creeping.


Cheers!

[ben loh]

bro, do u guys change all the light tubes together all change 1 by 1....

[denniswko]

Originally Posted by ben loh

bro, do u guys change all the light tubes together all change 1 by 1....

I change all the light tubes together every 12month..

Originally Posted by gch123

Normally after how long do i need to chnage the T5 tubes ? i hv been using a 2 tube T5 horpar for abt 6mths and 10hrs a day..the brightness level seem to have dropped..can anyone advice pl

If U wan a tip top condition...& if budget allows.....it is time to change & it's gd to change all at 1 go...cheers.

I think it really depends on the plants?
If there are high light plants in the tank probably a half yearly change of the tubes would be good if not at least every year

Originally Posted by ben loh

bro, do u guys change all the light tubes together all change 1 by 1....

its preferred to change one by one, or 2 by 2 if you have 4, this is to prevent a spike in the brightness, and if not managed properly, will cause algae problem.
if you want to be really careful, keep in mind that inroducing a new light tube is like increasing the intensity of light, you have to adjust the CO2, nutrients, etc accordingly to cater to the "extra" lights being introduced

Originally Posted by stewpidity

I think it really depends on the plants?
If there are high light plants in the tank probably a half yearly change of the tubes would be good if not at least every year

This is very true. I change my tubes every 5 months as when approaching the 6th month, my glosso starts to grow tall.

if you guys change so often, then what do you guys do with the old tubes ?

tubes normally have a lifespan of 10,000hrs or more.
assuming you put it on for 12hrs a day, in 1 yr, its only 4380hrs used ...