Replacing T5 Bulbs ?

My new ATI bulbs are being delivered today, the current bulbs are at least 18 months old,whats the best way to replace them. One or two at a time, over days or weeks.

Currently have Geissman Actinic+ and 2 Aquablue+


Replacing them with ATI, 4 Blue+, 1 Purple+ and 1 Aquablue Special.

 

Replace them one at a time every 3 to 7 days depending on how your coral react. If they look to be fading go to every 7 days.

 

+1

You should replace those bulbs at least every 12 months max. The lifespan for each particular bulb is listed on their website. They aren't really too functional after that. Also, the older they are, the more algae grows (with sufficient amt of nutrients). Lol I learned from experience and am currently replacing mine for the first time as well. I am going with every 7 days just to be safe. 2 down, 2 to go. All is well so far. Good luck

 

I bought the fixture used and have had it on my tank for 6 months, who knows how old the bulbs are. Just had a bad cyano outbreak and I am sure its the bulbs.

One a week seems a little much, that would take me 6 weeks to change them all out.

 

these are all of coarse suggestions to the question you asked. Switch them out faster if you dont want to wait that long, and just keep us posted on the results.

 

I'm thinking of maybe switching all the bulbs and using the 3-4 screens technique and removing them slowly over a few weeks.

 

right on, I see your logic of wanting to go ahead and get the new ones all in. I had a friend who spaced them out over a month period, and another friend changed them all at once with no ill effects. But he could also raise his fixture if he needed to.

 

I've done both, with the same bulbs the screen method is great. I find it's tougher to acclimate to spectrum than intensity. So when doing a drastic change in spectrum, I feel types of bulb, may be more desirable to do so one at a time. That's precautionary though, every system is different.

 

Ok, put all the new bulbs in and raised the fixture up another 2 inches to its max and added 4 pieces of screen. The tank is pretty dark even with all the lights on so I don't think I will be shocking any corals.

 

You should take pics for comparison! We want to see! My fixture is easy to take on and off so I am just doing one a week so there isn't any risk. Lol my sps are pretty much my life