Is a bulb just a bulb?
- Thread starter speg
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
Quality of manufacturing affects two main things IMO: lifespan and color stability.
The cheaper lamps may not last as long and they may drift significantly off their specified color temperature.
Perhaps it's time to think about an upgrade to a T5 system. The operational cost is so much lower due to less frequent lamp changes... you may consider running the numbers and see if it makes sense for you.
The cheaper lamps may not last as long and they may drift significantly off their specified color temperature.
Perhaps it's time to think about an upgrade to a T5 system. The operational cost is so much lower due to less frequent lamp changes... you may consider running the numbers and see if it makes sense for you.
mrdc
Active Member
I agree with SCSInet since I have gone the cheap route before and thought that they didn't last as long and the color just seemed to be drabby. I purchased 96w not too long ago. Let me see what I paid for them.
Ok, I bought AquaticLife 96 Watt 420/460NM Dual Actinic PowerCompact Bulb - Square Pin for $36.
Ok, I bought AquaticLife 96 Watt 420/460NM Dual Actinic PowerCompact Bulb - Square Pin for $36.
flower
Well-Known Member
For a fish only system I don’t think it matters, unless the bulb burns out altogether I wouldn’t replace the bulb at all.
If you have coral ….I always used 50/50 bulbs with no problems and I bought whatever was on sale. Yes, once a year I paid around $36 to $50 per double bulb. ***** had the cheapest.
speg
Active Member
I wanted to go T5, but I think it's just a bit out of my price range at the moment... I know it makes more sense to just buy the T5 unit but when you've only got a limited amount of money to work with....then you gotta just replace bulbs... I'll see what happens.. still got some time to let the tank cycle.