How often do you change your bulbs on a planted tank?

[fish]

I have a buddy with a freshwater planted tank. He is running 3 65 watt power compacts over a 65 gallon tank. He hasn't changed his bulbs in over 3 years and is having problems with his tank. I have suggested he change his bulbs (I am a reefer so I am programmed to change bulbs at the first sign of problems). I'm just wondering how often people change their bulbs in the freshwater world?

[garnpet]

When the burn out!  

However, 3 years for a bulb is stretching it.  Mine tend to last a year or so.

[JetJumper]

For my plants I have (Not Aquatic Plants) I replace the bulbs once a year.  I would venture to say it should be the same for the Aquatic ones.

[NjOyRiD]

i think you cant go under 30% of that bulb's life

[Nerine]

I dont have a planted tank...so I've stretched the bulbs 3 years...but when I was doing plants, I changed every couple years..I think I'll be changing more often now that I found the correct size and wattage of bulb at rona for my tank

[Laura]

I was advised that you don't need to change PC bulbs until they die, but you do need to change regular flourescents as their spectrum changes after 6 mths - 1 year.

[charlie]

I run mine the non friendly supplier way- run it till it drop 
I have copied this from some of the guru`s of the plant world , one guy has access to all the expensive & accurate par meters  & whatever else gadgets, he has concluded that his plants do just fine without the touted change every --mths.

[washefuzzy]

Thanks Charlie I that will save me some money.

[charlie]

I run mine the non friendly supplier way- run it till it drop 
I have copied this from some of the guru`s of the plant world , one guy has access to all the expensive & accurate par meters  & whatever else gadgets, he has concluded that his plants do just fine without the touted change every --mths.

Perhaps i should add, that these Gurus were speaking in the context of quality T5 & Compact fluorescent lamps 

Thanks Charlie I that will save me some money.