old hps bulb no good?

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mobby420

Well-Known Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #1

I have been using a 600 watt eye hortilux bulb that has been used for about 6 crops before mine... I was told that after a few crops the light is no good anymore to produce buds even though it still lights up and is very bright?

I am on my 5th week of flowering and wondering if you guys think i should buy a new bulb or if the one im using now is still good? thanks!

 

email468

Well-Known Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #2

without a lumens meter there isn't a sure way of knowing but i have heard (and read) that you should replace your HPS bulb every 18-24 months and your MH every 12-18 months.

 

BMWEATER

Well-Known Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #3

good question, I have wondered this many a time

 

M

mobby420

Well-Known Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #4

hmm is there something else that the human eye cant see comming from the bulb ?

 

email468

Well-Known Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #5

mobby420 said:

hmm is there something else that the human eye cant see comming from the bulb ?

Click to expand...

yes there is...... lumens.

 

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T.H.Cammo

Well-Known Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #6

If it ain't broke - don't fix it!!! The best reason to replace an HID bulb is because you notice it's not producing that well anymore, not because "someone else" said you should. It's all a simple matter of "$ vs. Yield". It's whatever you feel most comfortable with; "Spending a few bucks on a new bulb" -or- "Putting up with the ever decreasing yield from an old, tired, bulb".

If you notice that the bulb is producing 25-50% less bud each crop - it's probably passed time to replace it!

 

HighwayStar

Active Member

• Jan 14, 2008

• #7

IMO buy the cheap lamps & replace often, I have used high dollar lamps, some folks love them, I don't think there worth the $ IMO. but I only use CFLs, 1000W hps, 400W hps and 400W MH in my grows

 

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mobby420

Well-Known Member

• Jan 17, 2008

• #8

I ask because i bought a used lamp with bulb that was used before, i was wondering hopw important it is i change the bulb!

T.H.Cammo said:

If it ain't broke - don't fix it!!! The best reason to replace an HID bulb is because you notice it's not producing that well anymore, not because "someone else" said you should. It's all a simple matter of "$ vs. Yield". It's whatever you feel most comfortable with; "Spending a few bucks on a new bulb" -or- "Putting up with the ever decreasing yield from an old, tired, bulb".

If you notice that the bulb is producing 25-50% less bud each crop - it's probably passed time to replace it!

Click to expand...

 

mattso101

Well-Known Member

• Jan 17, 2008

• #9

it is very impotant to change the bulb. When you do you will see ahudge diff. They say replace the bulb every year

 

joekikass

Well-Known Member

• Jan 17, 2008

• #10

Buy a new bulb , its not just the lummes but the colour spectrum that fades with use .