Changing Lt. Bulbs

[LeslieS]

Hi Guys,

I have T5 bulbs. How often should I change them? Do the old ones go in the trash or recycle bin? Do I give them to someone with fish only tank?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

hi leslie

some say you should change t5 bulbs every 6-9 months, but if you are like me you'll change them every year. i keep a couple just incase the new ones were to break or simply dont work.

recycle or not?? good question

 

[Harif87]

I think you need to call 311 to have them disposed of in the proper way since each bulb has mercury inside them.

 

[ming]

I replace them when I get a chance after a year. I'd keep at least 1 of the old bulbs just in case as well. Depending on how many bulbs is on that ballast, if 1 bulb pops, all of them will go out. So then you can use the old bulb while you wait to get the new bulb shipped.

 

[jhale]

how many reefers does it take to change a light bulb?

at least 10

one to change the bulb and 9 more to tell you your using the wrong one

 

[DonCisco]

Leslie call 311, just to be sure, it is the law for commercial and govt buildings to recycle the mercury in the lamps, but I don't know if it applies to individuals (usually it doesn't). Or you can ask your building maintenance, and tell them you have flourescent bulbs for them to reclyce?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ummm Don have you ever called 311? :lol2:

 

[LeslieS]

Thanks guys. I am going to speak with the building super. They probably have some method for recycling pickup already as the building uses fl lights for the laundry rooms.

 

[DonCisco]

Chief.. yes I have called 311 many many times. And I have always found them to be pretty up to date into regulations, especially once they transfer you to the right department. Then of course I am extra sweet on the phone, so that and my sexy voice.... hence the good service I get from 311. :party:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Umm yeah then you luck out cause everytime I have called them I was probably better off talking to a wall.

 

[DonCisco]

lol is because I roll my "rrrrs" when I say my name Frrrrrancisco... melt the operators.... haha

 

[LeslieS]

Frrrrrancisco,

You are going to have to change your name to Don Juan Cisco!

 

[FRY]

Mercury is an essential ingredient for most energy-efficient lamps. Fluorescent lamps and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps are the two most common types of lamps that utilize mercury. Fluorescent lamps provide lighting for most schools, office buildings and stores. HID lamps, which include mercury-vapor, metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps, are used for street lights, floodlights and industrial lighting. A typical fluorescent lamp is composed of a phosphor-coated glass tube with electrodes located at either end. The tube contains mercury, of which only a very small amount is in vapor form. When a voltage is applied, the electrodes energize the mercury vapor, causing it to emit ultraviolet (UV) energy. The phosphor coating absorbs the UV energy, causing the phosphor to fluoresce and emit visible light. Without the mercury vapor to produce UV energy, there would be no light.

 

[BHDMC]

I use my T5 on my new refuge which is on 24/7. Should I still change my T5 bulbs every 6/9/12 months?

 

[jhale]

every year with t5's is enough.

BHDMC why are you running the fuge light 24/7?
most reefers will run the light period opposite the main tank photo period.

 

[BHDMC]

I tried the reverse cycle and ran into a big algae problem. When I first set up the refuge the light cycle was on 27/7. No problem in the main tank, but cheato was not growing. I thought the cheato was getting too much light. I tried the reverse cycle and had a hair algae explosion in the main tank. I also had red and green hair algae growing in the refuge and on the cheato. I started all over with new cheato, dosing iron, and just add two T5 actinics with two 10K I already had as per the LFS. Prior bulbs were four T5 10K. So far all is well, the cheato is growing, but is has only been two week. The manufacture(corallife), told me to change these bulbs every six month. They maybe stating this to sell more bulbs, so I wanted to heard from others. I heard URI make T5, but I do not know if they make them in 30". I use the URI actinics on my main tank.

every year with t5's is enough.

BHDMC why are you running the fuge light 24/7?
most reefers will run the light period opposite the main tank photo period.