- Location
- New Jersey
I was just thinking how my super actinic looks extra dull lately. I know they are dull to begin with so I wanna know what you all think. Bulb is probably 4 months old.
Had my T5 lamp gone bad?
- Thread starter CONSTANTNE
- Start date
- Location
- Flushing, NY
Pictures usually mean a lot, but not in this case. The brightness of the bulbs in this pic would only depend on the camera settings. People typically change out the T5 bulbs once a year to be on the safe side.
- Location
- New Jersey
I agree its tough to show with a pic. Super actinic is second in from left by the way and the reflectors are making it look brighter than it is. Just dont want to leave it in if it will effect corals and algae growth.
- Location
- Flushing, NY
If you tell me how old the bulbs are, I'll tell you if they should be replaced.
- Location
- New Jersey
The super actinic which is the one im questioning is 4 months old while the rest are 10 months old. I know T5 bulbs should be replaced around the 1 year mark but the super actinic isnt old at all just doesnt look right.
- Location
- Flushing, NY
not sure how I missed that.
At 4 months, they're probably fine.
The color does shift slightly the first few weeks of having a bulb, but that is just the initial burning in time.
Super Actinics are normally more darker then 12k or 10k T5 bulbs, I used Aquablue Special and Blue+ which were also brighter then Super Actinics
Last edited:
- Location
- Midtown East, Manhattan
Don't know much about electrical but I know that some ballasts suddenly get affected by microwaves or radio signals and even when they get cold. Are these the same brand/model bulb you had before?
- Location
- New Jersey
Hmm interesting. Same everything and theres a blue plus on the same ballast as the super actinic and that one is fine, not dull or anything.
- Location
- Midtown East, Manhattan
If it's not too hard, I would turn off all your lights, step 5 feet back and try to remember the color/intensity then take the bulb to a friends house and compare, just to be able to rule a couple things out. Again, this is far from expert advice, just what I would do. Hope this helps
- Location
- New Jersey
You had me thinking so I went through my stuff and found an old ATI actinic bulb. They arent the same bulb but it gave me an idea and the difference was night and day. Definitely something wrong with the lamp so back to my old combo. Have some pics I can post up to show you all. Wonder if this was causing algae or effecting my SPS in any way.
- Location
- New Jersey
That is very true the bulbs are suppose to be more effective and last longer with fans
- Location
- long island
I am supprised bat600 did not comment on this. You and I have the same exact fixtures and I am swapping out the bulbs every 6months to be on the safe side and have the max color and par reading comming from the bulbs. Yes out lights can hold the lights for 12 months.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Location
- Far Rockaway
Just read this now ant dame the rest is 10m old i would change all out i would go with kz bulbs the super blues are more bluer then the Ati blue+ and have more par . Get the super blues ,Fiji Purple , Coral light II , . I am doing the same next mounth going all Kz bulbs
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