florescent lights

[fizz]

i got my tank used from a guy about 2 months ago. it is a 58 gallon oceanic. he had it for about 4 months before i did. i just recently was told you have to change your florescent lights every 6 months. is this true? if so why? also which ones are florescent. i have 3 bulbs. one is just one long bulb. the other 2 have two bulbs coming off the end of the socket on is blue and one is white. thank you.

 

[mr . salty]

All your bulbs ARE flourescent,just two diferent kinds.The ones with two tubes are called PC(power compact).The other is either regular output or VHO(very high output.This can be determined by the wattage.What is the wattage of this single tube bulb???? And YES,They all need to be replaced between 6-10months....This is because the bulb starts to degrade.This can cause alot of problems in a marine tank.The least of wich is an algae bloom.....

 

[fallen04]

the power compacts i have are guaranteed for 14 months before they need to be changed out so maybe there is a quality issue as well