T5s - how often to change?

[~reefchik~]

What's the conventional wisdom on changing out T5s?  6 months?  A year?

[jd]

I've always heard 6 months.

[jeblin]

When I purchased my 4 bulb current fixture, I was told to replace two bulbs at 6 months and then the other two 6 months after that...then repeat. I asked other lfs owners and members here at the time and they agreed with that. The bulbs should last for a year (depending on heat/overdriving/etc) but you don't want to replace them all at once or you take a risk at shocking your corals.

Not sure if that still holds true...but thats what I was told ;-)

As with all my posts...just my 2 cents

EDIT:

Doing a quick google search yields --> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1641235

To summarize, they state bulbs should be replaced every 9-10 months to keep growth/colors to maximum.

[HUNGER]

bulbs should be replaced every 9-10 months to keep growth/colors to maximum.

+!

[~reefchik~]

Thanks for the link.  I'll consider 6-9 mos the time to switch out a couple tubes. 

I want a tank like Kangym!!