Lifespan of ATI aquablue special

I decided to try out some ATI lamps for my T5 setup about 3months ago and I am dissapointed of the aquablue specials performance. I read many reviews and looked at some par test done before buying them and it seemed that I was making a good decision. When I first replaced my bulbs with the ATIs I was happy with the blue plus but I noticed that the aquablue specials were not really putting out that much light. Now it has been 3months since I first got them and one of the aquablue specials is hardly even lite. I am going to replace the aquablue specials as soon as I can scrounge up the money but I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? Thanks for your input

 

Some times with any bulb brand you get a bad bulbs. The gas isn't mixed properly or so on. Some bulbs have a warranty others do not. Try to contact the dealer where you got the bulbs and see what they can do for you.
This is in a fixture correct?

Happy reefing!

 

It was in a fixture but now it is a retrofit. By the way thanks for replying. It seems to me that my posts often go unanswered and I have yet to figure it out so thanks for taking time to help me.

 

It probably is a bad bulb, I have some Ati bulbs that have been running full brightness for over a year and a half now with no problems.

 

Sorry to hear that! I will try to stay on line more!;D
Does the retros have fans?
Happy reefing!

 

A couple things to remember regarding the bulbs and their coloration.
The first thing is that as a bulb ages, it looses light wavelength in the blue/purple spectrum area, eventually leaving the red end only.
The other thing is that the bluer warmer kelvin bulbs need to be replaced sooner than bulbs with kelvin at the other end of the spectrum, which coincides with the first scenario!

 

Yea they have fans. I try to keep everything cool to prolong the life of the bulbs. I was thinking that it could have been a lemon just as dr.frag said but then I realized that both of the aquablue specials were dim.

 

I don't take it personally. I am not really a member of 3reef to make friends. I am just here to learn and help others whenever possible. I think it would be kind of silly to not help someone on a internet forum because of some differences in opinion or for whatever reason. I am sure that it is just a coincidence or something. I was just making an observation when I said that it seems that I don't get many replies.