[APD] Re: Power Compact Bulb Useful Life: 12 months max

[Dave Millman <dave at tactics_com>]

Tomoko Schum wrote:


> I fail to see why it is necessary to buy new bulbs every
> year.  I suppose it all depends on each individual person's
> perspectives.

<snip>

> So you choose to spend nearly 80 dollars on light bulbs
> every year and be blessed with a super fast growth, whereas
> I spend the same amount every three years or so and still
> have a pretty luxuriant growth throughout this period.
> Don't you think we get the money's worth either way?

Tomoko,

Yes, it does depend on your perspective. In my case, my tank is 24 inches 
deep, and my light level when the bulbs are new is a bit over 3W/gallon. 
When I measured bulb output on each of the four bulbs and found that output 
had dropped to about half, that put me at well under 2W/gallon on a deep 
tank. Since I had designed a high-tech, high-light setup as a display tank, 
and paid about $250 to purchase a 4x55W system plus enclosure in the first 
place, the fact that I was severely under lighted after 2 years made the 
replacement bulbs a mandatory purchase for me. It was that or give up on 
the original tank goals.

Your perspective makes sense as well. And you don't have to trim as often!

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