Bad Bulbs

[harrica]

Just wondering if any of you fellow growers could answer a question of mine.

What are some of the signs that you need to replace your bulbs in your HID? Does it cause the plants to grow a certain way that might hinder it or change its color? I have some bulbs that come with the used setup that I bought and I am not sure how old they are, and was thinking I might need to spring for some replacements.

Thanks for any replies.

harrica

[Mel]

it is best to change annually .. that being said good luck;)
there are sooo many things to keep track of man....

I notice a slow down on the normal growth cycle ...first I check for mites (ahhhhh) if no mites :pI check my bulb dates
sure enough they are past due:eek:

Recently I have been using Aug 1st:cool: because it is a very special date to me any way a good day to turn on my love light and let it shine:sunny:

[Pothead420]

i agree with mel i change mine every 3-4 crops:cool: but have went longer and noticed no differance but i recomended you change it:)

[peakguy]

I only use bulbs for 3 grows, then get a new one and keep the last one for backup.

[CB]

Just wondering if any of you fellow growers could answer a question of mine.

What are some of the signs that you need to replace your bulbs in your HID?

when the ends of the white cathodes (or whatever there called) turn black about an inch in on both sides. HPS will also shut on and off and on when it's really bad.

same as other's on the 3 grow then new bulb... maybe grab new one's now and use old for spare/back up


peace

[majestyk5]

just what i was thinking.

[reubeni]

As an electrician I would like to chip in; HPS lamps last a dam long time they take years to diminish there life span that is why 90% of the worlds street lighting is HPS but the lumen's do drop off steadily over time .
This longevity is the enemy of electricians and the hydro shops, hence the shops recommendation of 3 grows which in my opinion is crap; has any of us here measured the drop off in lumen's of a lamp over a stead time period? my answer would be no but if we did we would be surprised a the slow rate of decline of lumen's, the output drops off not a linear scale but on a logarithmic scale the lamp looses lumen's at a faster rate coming to the end of its life.
Now some maths typical 600w HPS=24,000hrs
flower @ 12h/d x 70days x 3 grows= 2,520hrs
Now given the above equation we have used 1 tenth of the lamps useful lifespan; which is a waste and a hazard to the environment these lamps are not environmentally friendly in their construction or disposal so we should use them wisely.
As for vegging flouros do a better job and they also last for a very long time.
IN conclusion I will differ and go for at least 9-10 grows before disposal of the lamp which is still less than half of the typical lifespan albeit at the annoyance of the lamp retailers.

[harrica]

Thanks for the replies.

I am gonna to get a new bulb. Do any of you use 400 Watt Hortilux Blue MH Bulb. I have been reading that these increase growth during veg. cycle. Just wondering if its true and worth the investment.

harrica

[Dawg]

in my experience, the cheapo bulbs work just fine. I didn't see the point to paying a fortune for a bulb.
You can get em real cheap off ebay or e-conolight [dot] com has em dirt cheap as well. Also can try 1000bulbs [dot] com

[Even Crazier Van Guy]

Thanks for the replies.

I am gonna to get a new bulb. Do any of you use 400 Watt Hortilux Blue MH Bulb. I have been reading that these increase growth during veg. cycle. Just wondering if its true and worth the investment.

harrica


I use a white/blue spectrum MH 430W bulb to veg, Harrica... it works totally beaut for vegging. I had clones going under floros and switched to the MH and they exploded in growth:D. I tried vegging with the 1000W red spectrum MH for a while, and got unsatisfactory growth... switching to the 430W blue spectrum made a big difference even with the diminished lumens. it's all about the color temp depending on the growth cycle and what the plant is working on.

that's what I see, anyways....

[Mel]

Thanks for the replies.

I am gonna to get a new bulb. Do any of you use 400 Watt Hortilux Blue MH Bulb. I have been reading that these increase growth during veg. cycle. Just wondering if its true and worth the investment.

harrica
that is one of the finest bulb made, if you have already spent $ on be happy it is a fine bulb

BTW any thing can be done under a 400w, more than that is indulgence and can be a real headache with the heat issues

ECV your red spectrum during veggy may even have slowed down the process. Red spectrum is a fall/harvest light. The blue spectrum is spring/ veggy growth.


To all, watch the sun, watch the plants under the sun grow, pay attention. You will be suprised how much leak over you will get to your MJ gardens if you just watch how plants behave naturally, watch spring , watch summer , watch fall, pay attention. Remember, there is no indoor that can come close to outdoor. Our objective is to immitate the sun and it's cycles.

[Pistol Pete]

Actually Cannabis Can Only Absorb 4000 Watts Off That Big Halide In The Sky
Therefore A 4000 Watt Inside Growroom Can Match , Or Even Exceed Outdoor Growth
I'll Dig Up The Trichome Technologies Article ( They Grow Using 100 Watts per Square Foot :eek:)
PP

Love Your Outdoor Grow Shows Reubensi
:)

[reubeni]

Actually Cannabis Can Only Absorb 4000 Watts Off That Big Halide In The Sky
Therefore A 4000 Watt Inside Growroom Can Match , Or Even Exceed Outdoor Growth
I'll Dig Up The Trichome Technologies Article ( They Grow Using 100 Watts per Square Foot :eek:)
PP

Love Your Outdoor Grow Shows Reubensi
:)

Hmm just a couple of quick questions, what amount of wattage does the sun produce is the watts the same in the northern hemisphere as the south or the tropics? does cloud cover have an effect or the ozone layer? and outdoors what about the other environmental effects such as thieves ,rain, pestilence,competition,lack of control over light cycle and quality there of, by the way thought the plants depended on a source that complies with the needed: spectrum/ lumen's/intensity which does not have much too do with watts or am I just dumb?:D

[Pistol Pete]

Bump

[WilliamClarkeQuantrill]

plants don't absorb watts.

[Elephunt man]

plants don't absorb watts.

:laugh::smoke:

damn tough weeds....I personally can't live without the sun :sunny:

[CB]

Bump

first Bump we have seen here:o
anywho i don't get the 4k indoor grow doing as good as the sun and outdoors.

no light can match mother natures can it? :cool:


:pass: