How often should you change your bulbs?

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by KrazyKuch

so then all in all the only difference between T-5's and metal halide is the tempurature....Why do people bother going with T-5's then if MH last longer and are cheaper!!

Depends on the quality of the bulb. My G-man bulbs last at least 1 year.

T-5 bulbs cost in the range of $25-$35 per bulb whereas as good quality MHs run about anywhere from $80-$100. Over a 4' foot tank requiring 2 MH bulbs or anywhere from 4-8 t-5 bulbs, the cost of bulb replacement is roughly the same.

T-5s systems use less wattage overall that equivalent MHs systems and the results is less heat.