[HairlessCaveApe]

--Dose anyone know how much less light my lights are throwin after bout a year anna half? -I got 2 400 watt hps's and I know that I musta lost some intensity and I was wonderin if anyone knew at what rate of time and what percentage dose a bulb loose intensity? -Thanks for any insite anyone may have on this!

[plinkerdink420]

i don't know any of the specifics about the bulbs (i.e... what percentage of intensity lost), but have heard that you should replace your bulbs at least every 6 months

[Bigmone357]

U can buy a plant light intensity meter 30.00$ at hydrostores or digital light meters 129.95$ they'll tell you, that 's the only way u can find out an honest answer in my opinion. It's bulb replacement time for u imho for best results metal halides need replacing every 8 months preferebly hps bulbs replace 12 months is recommended for maximum results :wink: 80$ will replace them both ,160$ will give u back up bulbs. Peace

[Payaso]

Bulb Degradation Occurs and metal halides should be replaced after 12 months, HP Sodiums after 18 months...

With Metal Halide bulbs you can look at the arc tube and if it is cloudy or very blackened it is near the end of it's life.

In Jorge Cervantes' newly revised 'Marijuana Horticulture Indoor/Outdoor Grower's Bible' (which I have the privelege of designing for him at this time) he says 'an old bulb is inefficient and costly. Replace Metal Halide bulbs every 10-12 months or 5000 hours of operation.'

High Pressure Sodium bulbs should last longer, up to 24,000 hours or up to two years. When the bulb comes on, gets to full light, then goes out mysteriously it's time to change the HPS bulb. That's been my personal experience.

Hope this little bit of info helps..

~Payaso

[HairlessCaveApe]

Thanks Plinkerdink, Bigmone and Payaso. -Yea ... -I think I just gotta break down and get some bulbs. -Its hard to notice the loss being around it alla time but after all this time and after the advice given I guess Its about time I got me some replacement bulbs. -Thanks again!

[Payaso]

Let us know what kinda deal you get on the new bulbs... I'm interested to know...

Peace,
~Payaso

[badmf]

FYI; bulbs degrade at varying rates, by brand, by temperatures during use, number of startups, hours of use etc, so there is no "real' fixed date, and as mentioned get a meter, a PAR is best, this is not only useful in determining bulb life but finding out what areas are getting the most light, being efficient is saving too! I use it to position reflective sheeting (Mylar, alumaglo etc) for best reflection angles.

[dreawoh]

my growlux 400s are replaced every two years (12/12 only)

[HairlessCaveApe]

Hey Folks! -Thanks for all the input! -It looks like Im gonna have to get a bulb sooner than I planed. I was gonna get complete 400 watt unit from Mariland Hydro or something and 2 bulbs to replace the ones Im currently runnin but this mornin one of my 400's are dead so I gotta get me a bulb today. -I called a couple of joints like Fox and shitt and they both gave me unbeleavably low fukkin prices on theyr 400 watt hps bulbs! One of them said $18.90 and the other said $20.00 ! -I know these cant posibly be any lights specific for growin but whaddafukk?!!? -$20.00 ? -Annyhow, Im gonna go get one and check it out! -Il post later on after Im done gettin sweetly stoned and screwin it in! -It aughtta be good enoughf annyhow just to last me till I get what I planed on like I said earlyer in this post.

[GMT]

To be honest, I havent noticed any problems with my 400w Son-T throughout the 5 years of its useage so far, Though you have now convinced me it's time to replace it.