UVL T5HO Super Actinic R

[Ed]

I have tried the UVL (formerly URI) Super Actinic R bulbs in both the 39W T5HO and 54W T5HO configurations.

Not having the best of luck with the 39W version. They start out well, but after a few months, they dim considerably and lose a great deal of intensity. T5HOs are theoretically supposed to last 2 yrs - I usually retire mine after a year -

I am overdriving them with 54W Advance ballasts - but I have used this same type of ballast with Aqua Medic Ocean Blues and TRU Actinic 03s w/o incident.

I have read that others overdrive these same bulbs with (60W) Icecap ballasts.

Overdriving undoubtedly cuts their usable lifespan, but from ~24 months to <6?

Anyone else have any issues with these bulbs or am I just 'lucky'?

[hobogato]

i run a total of 16 of these (24" & 36") and also overdrive with workhorse ballasts. most of the bulbs last about a year, but i have had a few go out in about 6 months as well.

[Ed]

Thanks Ace. I'm going to keep a closer watch on the TRU bulb I just used as a replacement for the UVL. Time will tell.

[apedroza]

kEEP US POSTED!!!! Iam currently running TRU bulbs as well

[HecticDialectics]

Ed- Are you using any sort of active cooling?

[Ed]

Ed- Are you using any sort of active cooling?

I do not have a chiller, however, I do have one 5" Coralife fan on each end of my 15" tall (inner dimension) canopy blowing over the top of the reflectors.