They should be fine for anything you want to keep!
1) Pick up some timers if you want, or just pick some times. I run my lights for 12 hours a day, I start with my T5s for 3 hours, then my MHs turn on for 6 hours, and then its just T5s again for another 3. I run my lights excessively and I know it. Synch up your lighting times with when you will most likely be watching the tank. If your up late, run them late, etc.
I'm not super familar with the Tek lights but I think you are saying you have two lighting options for each strip; one switch turns on two bulbs, and the other switch turns on the remaining 2 bulbs. Yes? No?
2) Leave the bulbs as they are for now, 8 months is fine for a little while. There are lots of nice bulb options that have come out recently. If you can try and see a few tanks with the new Figi Purple, and maybe a few different actinic options. I can show you what I have when you come to get your food. If you don't like the colours that your fixtures are producing now, take the opportunity to figure out what you do like, so that your replacement bulbs are more inline with your taste.
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