Changing out T5 bulbs

[Jessy]

So I've got a ton of new bulbs, some brand new, some with a month or two of use already. I've got the fixture down and wiped all the old bulbs of the salt creep crust encasing them but these are all over a year old already.

Can I just pop in all new/newish 8 bulbs and hang the fixture a little higher than normal and be ok?

[treylane]

Yes, just raise the fixture a little bit and keep an eye on things. Cut back on your photoperiod for a few weeks if you notice any problems, such as bleaching corals, or corals that won't extend their polyps.

[h20poloman2]

should be able to just replace the bulbs and that is it, no need to raise the fixture. Shouldn't be that big of a light shock, not like going from PC's to MH.


EDIT: If going from using 4 T-5's to 8 bulbs I would be more concerned. Think Jess's feedback above gives you the more cautious approach.

[nahtanoj]

i don't think they'd notice the difference.