Is there anyway to check the life of a t5 ballast and bulbs?

[richardhmc]

I buy all my stuff used and I forget how old my lights are. I'm in the middle of deciding to buying a new t5 light or just keeping and fixing up my old one. Is there anyway to tell how old a ballast is? specifically a tek light.

Also, how do you tell the life of a t5 bulb? I think bulbs should be kept for maximum of 6 months?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

8-12 On bulbs months depending on what kind of fixture your using....

 

[richardhmc]

currently I'm using a regular tek light

 

[mbg75]

Is the bulbs are actively cooled, then up to 12 months.
For non cooled par starts dropping dramatically after 4-6 months.

Either way spectrum starts shifting at 10-12 months

Lots of info out there u can read up on