I have read many posts on the length a fluorescent bulb is effective but didn't find info on my question.
Little bit of info/rant:
I am trying to prepare hatchling tanks for 2020 breeding season and calculating everything that I will need. It may not be cost effective but I feel bad for the many babies I see listed on various websites with toe/tail nips. My plans were to build enough tanks that each hatchling could have its own tank from day 1 and avoid all nips.
With that being said I realize this could mean 20-35 enclosures of the proper size per clutch. Each needing the correct space to grow and proper UV lighting. Bringing me to my question: Do fluorescent tubes start aging by first used date or is it total time used. A typical reptisun that lasts 6 months of continuous use would go bad 6 months after the first time it was fired up and not used again? Or can you use it for a month, off for 6 months, and it still has 5 working months left in it?
My main concern is for the animals health vs costs, just need to know what to plan for.
The tubes decline with use. A T8 is good for roughly 6 months or so while a T5 is good for at least a year. I've had them last over 3 but monitored output with a Solarmeter. If you can't monitor the output, then I'd stick with replacement every 12 months. A T5 will provide better output at the recommended 12'' than a T8 will at the recommended 6''.
So a typical bulb that lasts 6 months, could be used over a years time, if only used 1/2 the working time?
Didn't know if the gasses in the tubes started to diminish once they were fired once or only were used up by being on.
So a typical bulb that lasts 6 months, could be used over a years time, if only used 1/2 the working time?
Didn't know if the gasses in the tubes started to diminish once they were fired once or only were used up by being on.