How often should I change my hps bulb?

Captain Plank-Eye

Active Member
OK never thought this was a big deal til... I have gotten two harvests that were underweight in my opinion. How often do you guys change out your bulbs? Resin production is killer, quality is high, yield is low.

20160213_032050.jpg
 

cap master

Well-Known Member
we may never know lol jk
I use flouro but will be getting some low power hids soon bbut I would change mine once a year
 

Sativied

Well-Known Member
Replace single ended hps after every cycle. Replace double ended hps after every other cycle.

Is what Caro is saying. Which would be overdoing it. A good DE can be used 4-5 cycles before losing 2 % on ouput. Replacing it roughly once a year will make it pay for itself, any sooner is pointless unless you get the bulbs for free. For single ended every 2-3 runs max.
 

Craig1969SS

Well-Known Member
Get a lux meter. Test and get a good reading 12" away from the center of the light. Every couple of months repeat the same test under the same conditions. You'll see a drop in intensity and can use that as a guide to help. Remember HPS bulbs are on only half the day 12 hrs not 16 or more like a vegging bulb. Something to consider.
 

patrickkawi37

Well-Known Member
I am going to run the DE 4 rounds before I change them because something about if the bulb loses more than a few percent juice the ballast won't fire. This is what I was told at least.

Single ended I buy the 25 dollar extra sun bulbs and replace every 2 rounds.

Mh bulbs in veg I run til they stop working lol
 

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
what do u mean Carolina?
I replace a standard single ended bulb every harvest. I replace a double ended bulb every other harvest.

The companies can claim whatever they like. My lumen and par meter shows me the degradation in bulbs. So that's what I go by. I don't check anymore, and just replace on that schedule.
 

Medicanman

Active Member
I replace my Hortilux single enders every 3 cycles and I use them for veg. I've not noticed any reduction in yields or an increase after I change for that matter.

I used to use cheaper lamps and they needed to be replaced every cycle. It was worth the $$ to upgrade. Better yields and longer lamp life. Same variables except lamps and I got a 20% boost in yield.
 
Top