How often do you replace your bulbs?

I know bulbs lose brightness after awhile but I'm not sure how to gauge that and just when I should buy a knew bulb. I've heard of people buying a new bulb for each grow and I've heard of people getting multiple grows outta one bulb. What's your opinion?

what kind of bulbs are you using?
Regardless, the general suggested replacement time is every 6 months, but the bulbs would still definitely be usable, but just not as strong as new ones.
So could you get multiple grows from one bulb?
Yes
Will it hinder your grow?
Likely, but may not be noticeable.

Ive got a 1000w HPS and a MH bulb and I replace them after 4-6 crops. (year to year and a half. Cost about $350 for the 2 lights.)

dirtycows said:

Ive got a 1000w HPS and a MH bulb and I replace them after 4-6 crops. (year to year and a half. Cost about $350 for the 2 lights.)

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your gettin hosed. i bought some cheap bulbs for 40 bucks a piece.. 1k watts. im going to replace every 2 runs instead of every 4 like i usually do because they are the ghetto bulbs. seem just as bright as my digilux's

i replace mine after two harvests if they are cheap. if they r nice bulbs i stretch it out to three with the thousands in hps. my mh will have close to 6 or 8 months on it before replacement. but thats just becuz its a veg bulb.

patrickkawi37 said:

your gettin hosed. i bought some cheap bulbs for 40 bucks a piece.. 1k watts. im going to replace every 2 runs instead of every 4 like i usually do because they are the ghetto bulbs. seem just as bright as my digilux's

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I ran Digilux and then did a run with a new digilux and a 30 dollar bargin bulb. Bargin bulb won but bight slight margin, but thats enough for me at 2:1 cost savings.

patrickkawi37 said:

your gettin hosed. i bought some cheap bulbs for 40 bucks a piece.. 1k watts. im going to replace every 2 runs instead of every 4 like i usually do because they are the ghetto bulbs. seem just as bright as my digilux's

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Some people like to pay for manufacture "hype" and other growers that follow the masses like sheep. Happens all the time in MMJ growing from nutes, equipment, medium and hell even water.

Cool. Thanks guys. I'm using 1000w mh and hps. I should probably get a knew hps since mine was slightly used when I got it and I've already done a harvest from it.

BigBuddahCheese said:

Some people like to pay for manufacture "hype" and other growers that follow the masses like sheep. Happens all the time in MMJ growing from nutes, equipment, medium and hell even water.

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Wait...... You mean I didn't have to go all out balls to the wall?

Nukebisket said:

Wait...... You mean I didn't have to go all out balls to the wall?

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No please do!!! I love it when people spend more to grow their medicine then it would be to buy it.

I giggle and feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I am at the hydro store with 65 dollars of Dynagro stuff that will last me 3 entire grows and the tweaked up monkeys falling for the hype have hundreds of dollars for crap from Advanced and others and are complaining the problems, issues and that cost is for one maybe two grows but more likely one.

Granted not bulbs, but the over priced over hyped MMJ stuff is all over you just have to open your eyes,mind and close the wallet. Sad most cannot do that.

I change my bulbs every three or four grows

Save an old one in case one breaks on you (it has never happened to me but I like to be prepared)

BigBuddahCheese said:

No please do!!! I love it when people spend more to grow their medicine then it would be to buy it.

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Ok good I was starting to think something was wrong spending $2000 in nutes and equipment for my 1.5oz harvest, It's worth it then!