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which light bulbs?

fman

New member
Is there a difference in growth with Specialty bulbs? Right now im using regular Homedepot bulbs. Sylvanya 250 mh and Sylvanya 400 hps. They are nothing special, but they cost less than 20 bucks each. That being said, is it worth the money to buy a bulb like a Sunmaster, Eye Hortilux, or Agro -lite? All of these bulb are in the 100 range, are my plants going to grow any better? you input will be helpful.
 

bobman

Member
Good question I would like to hear what some say. I can report that I used a ushio mh conversion bulb for veg I think it was 6500k. It was expensive in the 150 range with delivery. My plants seemed to enjoy my 30 dollar 1000 watt hps bulb better. I would never buy one again. Never bought one of those 100 dollar hps bulbs before but I have read accounts were people swear by them.
 

Haps

stone fool
Veteran
What is true, is that a new bulb will always out produce any type of 6 month old bulb. Always. I buy the cheapest, use for two crops and replace, money in the bank babay.
 

jm420

Active member
Veteran
What is true, is that a new bulb will always out produce any type of 6 month old bulb. Always. I buy the cheapest, use for two crops and replace, money in the bank babay.
same here ,but i buy at the local electrical supply 400 whatts 13.00 hps or mh 9.00
1000 watt bulblbs ad 2$
600 are a no go as far as I know they are strictly grow lites 50.00 +,thats Biggest reason I use 400 or 1000 watt ballast
 

Whipit

Member
I looked at conversion bulb prices and bought an air cooled hood with a ballast and bulb for $100 more than the conversion bulb. They may have their place, but not here. You can get good bulbs at a good price by buying 6 or more. If I need 1K of vegetative light, I have a unit to put in place. When those plants are a couple of weeks old and ready to go into 12/12 I just replace the ballast, hood and bulb and have two 1K budding rooms for the plants to grow into.
 

fman

New member
Thanks for all the input, sorry I took so long to answer, computer broke. So I guess Ill just get some regular bulbs and save some $.
 
S

SCROG McDuck

If you use a digital ballast its a good idea to get a bulb that's made for use in digi's

Not being an ass.... why?

These bulbs have come to my attention in passing comments here and there, I have not 'really' searched for answers but want more confirmtion than what the manufacturers tell me in their propaganda..

BTW, 600w HPS cheapy/change=6>8 months.
 
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