Replacing HPS Bulbs

[ErnestHemingway]

Hey I was wondering do you change out your HPS bulb each flowering cycle? I heard that the bulb loses a lot of its power after you use it for 70 days or so.

Is this true? Should I buy a new bulb before I start flowering this time around? I use the 1000w Hortilux EYE bulb, and they are not cheap. Also, maximizing yield is near the very top on my priority list.

I don't want to lose significant yield, nor do I want to waste a perfectly good bulb - and money. I would like to hear what you think and what you do as well.

 

[LeeROI]

Replacement for Optimum Growth: 9-10 months
Replacement for Average Growth 11-12 months
Replacement for Maint. Growth 13-16 months

[per eyehortilux.com]

 

[GMT]

I've seen charts that suggest its far more important with MH than HPS, over 5 years a HPS will lose 20%, I tend to do it every 2-3 years. But I'm not a pro, and if I lose 10% its no big deal to me.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I change my cheapie HPS lamps every 6-8mos.

Never ran expensive lamps, so couldn't tell ya.

Stay Safe!

 

[bignev99]

I'm doing a side by side cheap, 1 year old, vs horti, brand new, sitting at day 45 and there is a huge differance. Cheap side not near as dense buds and on average 6 inches shorter. Have almost bought a new bulb just to even the race will pdate with # in acouple of weeks

 

[rangergord]

I have never noticed it makes much difference when I replace my bulbs at least in terms of anything concrete like grams per watt or bigger faster growing plants.

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

Everytime I change bulbs I notice an improvment in yield and visibly brighter light. Like eye hurting brighter. I run hortilux 6 months max or three crops and change. Yiled is always better on a fresh bulb run.

 

[nukklehead]

Everytime I change bulbs I notice an improvment in yield and visibly brighter light. Like eye hurting brighter. I run hortilux 6 months max or three crops and change. Yiled is always better on a fresh bulb run.

yeah that...
xcept Ive been running my MH a little longer in veg lately so the hortilux will last a little longer. In the scheme of things though
I pretty much follow pures advice

 

[growshopfrank]

Everytime I change bulbs I notice an improvment in yield and visibly brighter light. Like eye hurting brighter. I run hortilux 6 months max or three crops and change. Yiled is always better on a fresh bulb run.

hate to say this but if you notice a difference
you waited to long

 

[944s2]

hiya,,, i change my dual spectrum 600w bulbs every 5 runs,,so works out about every year and quarter that i buy new lamps,,always being mindful where the bulbs are dumped so avoiding any nastiness for me or others,, peace and regards s2

 

[messn'n'gommin']

Lumen maintenance is largely dependent on the manufacturers standards and QC. These two are rough guides you can go by:





hth

 

[FunkBomb]

After 2-3 grows I'll buy new lamps.

-Funk

 

[nickman]

I had shop owner tell me to get a new bulb every twelve months...

 

[yerboyblue]

hiya,,, i change my dual spectrum 600w bulbs every 5 runs,,so works out about every year and quarter that i buy new lamps,,always being mindful where the bulbs are dumped so avoiding any nastiness for me or others,, peace and regards s2

You mean you don't enjoying throwing them into the street and watching the glass grenade go off?

 

[yerboyblue]

I would also say about every 12 months of use is a good rule of thumb. I go with every 4 runs, and each run is about 3 1/2 to 4 months for me. Never notice a substantial difference going from the oldest bulbs I replace with new ones, at least not a change I could attribute to the bulb. I could probably let them go longer.

 

[bignev99]

heres my update. 6 plants under each light, took out the weight of the biggest and smallest. The 4 remaining plants after 20 days of curing: old cheap light avg. 1.75 ozs per plant, new eye 2.25 per. 30% increase for a $50 investment, ebay prices, ill do that every day.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

old cheap light avg. 1.75 ozs per plant, new eye 2.25 per. 30% increase for a $50 investment

Got the results for New and New?

The 400w Eye's go for $50 on ebay... as a regular thing. 1000w is more like the $70 range. But yeah, I see your pricing angle... would like to see better comparison with new lamps of each though.

Stay Safe!

 

[sweetestsin420]

/

 

[SeaMaiden]

I had problems getting the Lumateks to play well with my Quantum digi. I had to put them in my mag coil. I made the mistake of getting Plusrite bulbs, I intended to hit Plantmax and didn't realize it til the order went through and I got the confirmation email. So I've gotta call 1000bulbs and see if they can change my order to Plantmax.

BTW, since when have Plantmax bulbs gone up to almost $30? Last time I bought one it was twel dollah!

 

[Rolldaddy]

Sea,

If you lumatek balasts would you plantmax or lumatek bulbs?