karlos Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Hi I have a planted community tank with 4 54w T5 flourescent lights over it. I have read that you should replace them every 12months or so but they are about $50-$60 each! Thats going to cost me in the region of $220. ouch! Does anyone actually do this?? Thanks Karlos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 The modern tubes last longer than the old ones and they are generally stuffed when they go dark at the ends. It used to be 1000 hours but now I believe it is way more than that. You can replace them in a staggered way and therefore get into time payments. What K rating are they to be that price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I think a lot depends on what type of plants you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindy500 Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 i use my tubes till they dont turn on anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I have 4 bright white or daylight tubes (cheapest) and run them several years. When I get around to changing them, and I do them all at once, I get an algae breakout as there is so much more light in the tank. Staggering the change would be the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I use a marker pen and write the date I installed each tube on the ends. I change mine every 6- 8 months and notice increased plant growth when i do. Im only using t8 bulbs so its not that expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplecatfish Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I do. I've got T5 plant pro lamps on two of my tanks (12 bulbs total) and T8s on my other tanks. I write the dates on the lamps and have started to stagger the changes to spread the cost. I've definitely noticed the difference between new lamps and those over 12 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted November 29, 2008 Report Share Posted November 29, 2008 I also use the cheap daylight tubes from the hardware store and write the date installed on the end. I have three tubes going at any one time, and stagger the replacements - probably one every six months, so each tube would be about 18 months old when it gets changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlos Posted December 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 oops I forgot to check my post for replies! thanks for the info. I have a Juwel tank and would you believe it only Juwel T5 Hilite tubes are the right length to fit in the sockets! so no cheap alternatives unfortunately. My plants are still growing really well although I think that they have slowed down a bit recently. I will probably see how they go and change them if they start looking sad. Thanks Karlos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 you could probably get tubes cheaper from a lighting wholsaler (not a retail place like lighting direct) in regards to lites fitting the jewel tank there are different types of t5 tube a domestic t5(a cheap 1) is a lower wattage aquariums using t5s normally use t5VHO tubes(VHO standing for Very High Output) . im not sure but you may find the cheaper tubes dont fit to save people from putting a normal bulb into a VHO fitting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlos Posted December 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2008 Ah thats a good point. I checked with my LFS for all the other T5s they had and none fit... Figures... :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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