replace bulb light

does everyone here change the bulbs when the blinking light tell you, this is my 3rd grow none have gone good, I am really checking the ph this time and not over doing it with nutes, I have replacement bulbs but its growing fine right now should I replace the bulbs for new one or wait till the old ones die completely, I was checking amazon for light meters that say they can tell how much light gets to ur plant, thinking of getting one to check my current lights before replaceing them, also wanted to add more cfls along with a red led grow light when I switch to 12/12

what happened with your first two grows?

Cmikeb: You might want to consider using aimed reflectors as they enable you to recycle and better use the light you have. I haven't added any extra CFL's and with reflectors I get buds all the way down to the planting deck.

From habit, I change my lamps every six months but I think you have a good idea: using a light meter. It'll measure intensity, but will it measure the remaining wave lengths? My understanding is that as the lamps wear we lose part of the spectrum. Where can you get a decent light meter that will do both? I haven't seen a light meter since they phsed out film cameras. Please keep us posted on what your research proves as I've had the same idea for a while now.

You should change or replace your bulb with LED lights.LED lights produce less heat and does not harm the plants in any aspect.But you should check out before using, that it should be of relevant wavelength.

cmikeb said:

does everyone here change the bulbs when the blinking light tell you, this is my 3rd grow none have gone good, I am really checking the ph this time and not over doing it with nutes, I have replacement bulbs but its growing fine right now should I replace the bulbs for new one or wait till the old ones die completely, I was checking amazon for light meters that say they can tell how much light gets to ur plant, thinking of getting one to check my current lights before replaceing them, also wanted to add more cfls along with a red led grow light when I switch to 12/12

Click to expand...

Cmikeb: Here's a couple of things you might want to consider. My electrician friend once told me that bad, (worn out), lamps can overload the ballast/starter. The ballast is in the hood and if it goes they recommend that you replace the entire hood assembly. My guess is that like everything else in the Aerogarden it's proprietary and you probably couldn't get it with out a trip to China. As Aerogareners that's our cross to bear.
I seriously doubt they'll die immediately after six months of use because I know of a couple of times that I accidentally exceeded that limit. I don't have the lamp warning light on my older models and I've had no problems.
The light meter sounds like a good idea, although it won't measure the available wave lengths.
According to Aerogarden's customer service, "We change the lights to maintain the same wave lengths and luminosity." So there's something to think about too.
One other thing my electrician friend told me was to pull any flourescent lamp that turns gray at the ends. He said that was a sure fire warning that it's going to fail.
As far as additional lighting, I think that's a waste of time and money. I tried it but it wasn't that effective. Reflector panels will make a hell of a difference. Check some of my posts on that subject. You can get buds all the way down to the planting deck with reflective Mylar panels..
It's imperative that you check you pH daily when you're growing in that little reservoir and change it weekly. That what I was taught and I think I have a better track record than most. I hope this helps.

you dont HAVE to replace them, aerogarden claims that after 6 months the bulbs no longer put out the orginal lumens they did when they were new, however they still use the same amount of power. chances are you want it to run as efficient as possible, which is why they reccomend to swap them out every 6 months. do you have to, absolutely not! but its not like they are lying to you either just to make money, though im not sure how many lumens you actually do lose after 6 months and if its actually worth it to replace that often, and if it is actually noticeable in your yield or not. ive never priced AG bulbs but they cant cost that much. one thing you can do too if you plan to just keep using them till they burn out, even just as regular care, use a clean cloth to wipe the bulbs off gently and clean any dust and other shit that may be on the bulbs off, apparently that can affect your efficiency as well. oh and do this with the bulbs turned off/cool obviously