Do flourescent bulbs need replacing?

**ken1508** · 02-04-2008, 06:48 AM

I've heard that after about 9 months the bulb is not longer putting out the same amount of light it did when new. So that even though it still lights up, it is no longer putting out the beneficial light that the plants need. Could the more knowledgeable members here please shed some light on this?

**jbeining75** · 02-04-2008, 06:50 AM

dave will reply to this thread very soon.... give him a few minutes, I think he is still working on some primers.......

**jbeining75** · 02-04-2008, 06:52 AM

here i'll post then someone can cleanup... yes they need changed..... for plant growth I'd change them every 6 months......

**Dave66** · 02-04-2008, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by ken1508

I've heard that after about 9 months the bulb is not longer putting out the same amount of light it did when new. So that even though it still lights up, it is no longer putting out the beneficial light that the plants need. Could the more knowledgeable members here please shed some light on this?

Ken,
Yes, you need to replace them, as they lights use up their phosphors and they undergo a color shift. That's a real problem for reef hobbyists, because the corals, etc. adapt to the color change, and when you replace the bulbs with new ones the abrupt spectrum change can bleach out the corals.
I replace the power compacts one at a time after eight months over my planted tanks. Regular tubes should be replaced after six months, especially those from hardware stores. Its important to keep your light levels and color temp steady for best growth of your plants.

Dave

**jbeining75** · 02-04-2008, 06:57 AM

see I told ya he'd clean it up after me.... good luck with your tank....

**Dave66** · 02-04-2008, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by jbeining75

dave will reply to this thread very soon.... give him a few minutes, I think he is still working on some primers.......

You would be right, I was working on a book list for AC. Pawing through lots of my books for those pertinent to both newbies and old hands.

Dave

**ken1508** · 02-05-2008, 08:18 AM

Let see, water needs changing, filter needs changing, now light bulb needs changing. I really need to write it all down in a log especially to help me remember that in 6 months the bulb needs changing.

The bulb I have now is an 18" G.E. Aqua Ray which I heard is an excellent all around bulb. I go in to Lowe's to get a replacement and they only have the Aqua Ray in 24" and the 18" is a GE Plant and Aquarium. I decided to give the P&A a shot. Bad idea. It puts out a yellowish/greenish light and lot less bright than than the Aqua Ray, made my tank look yucky. I'm going go to return it to Lowe's for a refund.

I bet my plants are going to do much better with a new bulb. Hope I can find a store nearby that carries the Aqua Ray in 18".

Thanks, Dave and jb.

**ken1508** · 02-06-2008, 07:15 AM

Found the 18" Aqua Ray at Wallymart. The specs looked pretty good.
15 watts, 675 lumens, 9325k, 7500 hrs. service life. States that it enhances blues, reds, and greens. It sure brings out the neon tetra's iridescent red and blue.

**mitcore** · 02-06-2008, 08:09 AM

change the bulb every 12mths,
or when they are weaker in light strength

**SkarloeysMom** · 02-06-2008, 01:31 PM

What do you do with your old fluorescent tubes? Hopefully you take them to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Flourescents have mercury in them so please, please, please don't throw them in your trash. Ok, I'll step down from my tree-hugging soap box now.