Burning in T5's

[MikeC]

I have the ATI T5 hybrid fixture and it's time to change some bulbs.
I have a two bulb T5 light from Home Depot is it ok to use this to burn in bulbs and then place in main unit?

Thanks

 

[sunny]

Should be fine. However if you just change 2 bulbs at a time and per week, should not be an issue.

 

[MikeC]

My concern is the dimming of the bulbs they're not supposed to be dimmed until they are burned in for 50 hours
So I figured I could use this 2 bulb Home Depot unit and burn two bulbs at a time in for 50 hours and then just replace in the main unit

 

[sunny]

Ah! You did not say anything about dimming in the OP

 

[MikeC]

Ah! You did not say anything about dimming in the OP

I have the ATI T5 hybrid fixture

 

[Arnaldo24]

My concern is the dimming of the bulbs they're not supposed to be dimmed until they are burned in for 50 hours
So I figured I could use this 2 bulb Home Depot unit and burn two bulbs at a time in for 50 hours and then just replace in the main unit

Mike. Thats a good idea. Even tho last bulb change i ask a friend of mine to burn them for me (since his fixture dont have dimming options).
But i got me a 2 bulb cheap fixture so next time i can do it my self.

 

[MikeC]

Ah! You did not say anything about dimming in the OP

My bad I thought I covered that by stating ATI hybrid but just realized the 60" model is not dimmable

 

[kres1024]

Question what will happen if you don't burn them in for the 50hrs and just start dimming right away?

 

[MikeC]

Question what will happen if you don't burn them in for the 50hrs and just start dimming right away?

ATI North America said: ?
Dimming the bulb right away will reduce the usable lifespan of the bulb. The burn in period allows the phosphors and mercury to properly distribute throughout the whole tube. Dimming the lamp prematurely can disrupt this process.

 

[ming]

Can't you just set the fixtures at 100% intensity for 50 hours?

 

[MikeC]

Can't you just set the fixtures at 100% intensity for 50 hours?

Yes if you want to bleach all your coral?

 

[kres1024]

ATI North America said: ?
Dimming the bulb right away will reduce the usable lifespan of the bulb. The burn in period allows the phosphors and mercury to properly distribute throughout the whole tube. Dimming the lamp prematurely can disrupt this process.

Oh ok that's not to bad ,I did like a 40hr burn no biggie

 

[ming]

Yes if you want to bleach all your coral?

Never had that problem before. But each person has their own experiences

 

[MikeC]

Never had that problem before. But each person has their own experiences

So you just leave your lights on for 50 hours straight?

 

[ming]

Never said straight. I leave them on 100%, it'll eventually hit 50 hours, heck it'll even hit 500 hours

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

I never burned in a bulb or had to dim them either lol. Never had a problem with t5's bleaching coral. Only thing I see burning and bleaching coral is leds.

 

[MikeC]

I never burned in a bulb or had to dim them either lol. Never had a problem with t5's bleaching coral. Only thing I see burning and bleaching coral is leds.

Not sure why your lol?
My ATI unit is able to dim the bulbs for a dawn to dust affect and you need to burn in the bulbs for 50 hours.

But thank you I found the answer I was looking for so I guess this thread can be closed so no one else gets confused about the original question.

Thanks guys

 

[BioMan]

This "Burning in" thing is that only for units that dim T5's my fixture doesn't dim and I've been happy with it, but is there a benefit I've been missing out on? You always learn something new in this hobby...

 

[MikeC]

This "Burning in" thing is that only for units that dim T5's my fixture doesn't dim and I've been happy with it, but is there a benefit I've been missing out on? You always learn something new in this hobby...

1.Yes
2.No your not missing out it is only for the sun rise and sun set effect.

 

[BioMan]

1.Yes
2.No your not missing out it is only for the sun rise and sun set effect.

OK cool:thrash:

Now i've got an idea, or question, brainstorming actually,,wouldn't it be more of a sunset/sunrise thing if the lights came on 1 bulb at a time from one side of the tank then eventually all on then 1 at a time go off until they're all off on the opposite side? or am i reaching too much here:scratch: