120 Starphire Light question

[Noober]

Currently I have 4 white lights working, and two of my acentics went out, so I only have two working. What is a good ratio of white to acentic for maximum coraline and coral growth in a tank, so I will know when purchasing all new bulbs? How long is the typical life span of t5 bulbs? My two went out rather fast, in a couple months or so. Thanks a lot!

[Jeff]

the life span of t-5 bulbs can be from 12-18months, and the ration of white to actinic is your choice of how you like your tank to look. with 6 bulbs try
2- 10k
2-50-50 or aqua blue+
2-actinic
it has been awhile since i had to change bulbs so this is just a rough estimate.

[alton]

It might be a ballast issue, if you have two white lamps burning in there place at this time keep them in there and see if they then go out in a couple of months. T5HO lamps are suppose to last 20,000 HRS and effectively for Aquariums 12 months.

[Noober]

cool thanks a lot, They were the bulbs that came with the light fixture so they probably were pretty cheap... I figured there would be one ballast for each set of four bulbs but their probably is one for every set of two.