How often should grow lights be replaced?

[Paul Mc]

One retailer told me that they should be replaced every year when using them for the late fall through early spring season. However, I noticed as I was buying my T8's today that they have a much longer life span (like 8 years, lol...).

So was the retailer just trying to move product or was he right?

[johnblagg]

the life span for the bulb is 8 years but the lumens drop off quite fast after a year of yse for most flouresent bulbs and its common practice to replace about that time...t5 's I dont know about for sure but other types yes ..this is a good rule of thumb for hid like mh and hps too

[bryce.martin23]

Dont know too much for orchids but been in the saltwater reef tank hobby for years and figure lights are lights regardless of hobby. Best bet for T-5 life span is best replaced after 6-8 months if money permits. If you want to push it you can go a full year but by that point the bulb has been beaten to death.