Hps bulb???

7L!fTeD24

7L!fTeD24

Well-Known Member
I have to replace a 400 watt HP's bulb. Is there a good brand with a better spectrum? Or are they all pretty much the same? On amazon I see almost all of them are under 20 dollars. But theres a couple that are 40 to 70 dollars. Is it worth getting the more expensive ones? Dont really care about longevity just spectrum and intensity. I have a vivosun bulb in now and seems really dim and only used it on one grow.
 
G

Gro-n-again

Well-Known Member
I've played around with ipower and vivosun 1k watt bulbs. I usually use a hortilux bulbs and side by side there's no comparison...the hortilux seems brighter and more yellow than both.

But recently I bought some ushio or oshio bulbs that I've never used before. I think they are even brighter than the hortilux.
 
Rurumo

Rurumo

Well-Known Member
Gro-n-again said:
I've played around with ipower and vivosun 1k watt bulbs. I usually use a hortilux bulbs and side by side there's no comparison...the hortilux seems brighter and more yellow than both.

But recently I bought some ushio or oshio bulbs that I've never used before. I think they are even brighter than the hortilux.
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I always liked Ushio bulbs back when I ran HPS/Halides.
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
I've used expensive bulbs like Hortilux and less expensive bulbs like Vivosun. If the Hortilux is any better the difference is minimal and does not justify the higher price. I can get 6 of the Vivosun bulbs for the price of 1 Hortilux and they last just as long.

Many cannabis growers think you have to use the most expensive of everything and that it costs a lot of money to grow good weed. I'm not one of them.
 
Jjgrow420

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
Sunmaster makes the best bulbs imo
Phillips or Ushio close second.
The diff is noticable in cmh. My buds are always bigger and more dense under the sunmaster vs ushio.
Vivosun bulbs are ok at best. I have some. They work, but QC is low and you see alot of issues with the cheaper ones. I've also noticed with vivosun bulbs sometimes the actual color of the bulbs vary and without instruments to measure the spectrum you aren't really sure what's going on there.
 
7L!fTeD24

7L!fTeD24

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
I've used expensive bulbs like Hortilux and less expensive bulbs like Vivosun. If the Hortilux is any better the difference is minimal and does not justify the higher price. I can get 6 of the Vivosun bulbs for the price of 1 Hortilux and they last just as long.

Many cannabis growers think you have to use the most expensive of everything and that it costs a lot of money to grow good weed. I'm not one of them.
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I agree. I'm new just don't know what's what yet ya know. I'm coming from a mindset of "you get what you pay for" but I'm asking questions just to get around all the bs and misinformation thats written down and get opinions from multiple people and kinda get a better picture.
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
7L!fTeD24 said:
I agree. I'm new just don't know what's what yet ya know. I'm coming from a mindset of "you get what you pay for" but I'm asking questions just to get around all the bs and misinformation thats written down and get opinions from multiple people and kinda get a better picture.
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Buy cheap ones and change each cycle
 
Jjgrow420

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
7L!fTeD24 said:
I agree. I'm new just don't know what's what yet ya know. I'm coming from a mindset of "you get what you pay for" but I'm asking questions just to get around all the bs and misinformation thats written down and get opinions from multiple people and kinda get a better picture.
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Dont get me wrong, vivosun bulbs are ok. You can use them and you'll grow great weed no doubt. But you're right you get what you pay for. There's a reason Phillips bulbs cost what they do. If you want to go 'next level' and get everything you can out of your bulb buy good bulbs.
Sunmaster
Phillips
Ushio
Nanolux
Illuminar
Always have extra just in case.(my vivosun bulbs are backups). Nothing like waiting for a bulb if yours goes on the fritz
Now, I don't use hps anymore I'm all cmh and smd but same rule applies.
 
7L!fTeD24

7L!fTeD24

Well-Known Member
Jjgrow420 said:
Dont get me wrong, vivosun bulbs are ok. You can use them and you'll grow great weed no doubt. But you're right you get what you pay for. There's a reason Phillips bulbs cost what they do. If you want to go 'next level' and get everything you can out of your bulb buy good bulbs.
Sunmaster
Phillips
Ushio
Nanolux
Illuminar
Always have extra just in case.(my vivosun bulbs are backups). Nothing like waiting for a bulb if yours goes on the fritz
Now, I don't use hps anymore I'm all cmh and smd but same rule applies.
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Thanks for that list of brands. Didn't know about em and looking into em.
 
G

Gro-n-again

Well-Known Member
I will say that I did have trouble getting bulbs that worked from the cheap china bulbs. Order a 2pk and only 1 lights, that's happened to me twice with the 1k lights. Another time I ordered a 400w hps and it wouldn't light, had to exchange then also.

I just see the extra expense of buying quality bulbs as cheap insurance and what if they produce 10%-12% more. They're definitely brighter. You're only talking $40-$50 more per bulb. Plus you'll get the satisfaction of knowing you don't support the chicoms.

In fairness I will say that they grew fine pot just noticeably blu'er and not as bright.
 
Jjgrow420

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
I've used expensive bulbs like Hortilux and less expensive bulbs like Vivosun. If the Hortilux is any better the difference is minimal and does not justify the higher price. I can get 6 of the Vivosun bulbs for the price of 1 Hortilux and they last just as long.

Many cannabis growers think you have to use the most expensive of everything and that it costs a lot of money to grow good weed. I'm not one of them.
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X. I like you. You've got a wealth of knowledge... but your stubborn. Lol. I know you like to save $ and maybe that's what gets you off. That's awesome, everyone's got their 'thing'. But I think youre misleading the op a bit with your statement.
While I agree with you that it's unnecessary to buy expensive gear for the most part, there are some things I won't skimp out on. Bulbs being one of them. Your weed is only as good as your light source. It's the 'engine' that drives the process of photosynthesis which of coarse you are fully aware of (not trying to sound condescending). Would you put a 4cyl motor in a Lamborghini? Nah... So even a small bump in umol/s and/or finer tuned spectrum WILL give you better results. Facts. If spending an extra 50$ gets you a few extra Oz's of frostier buds is it worth it? I think so.

For you maybe what you get is good for what you need so there's no reason to justify spending more on a bulb and that's cool too.
But the truthful answer is yes it is 'better' to buy better bulbs. The real question is... 'is it worth it for you'
If you were to buy smds would you buy cheaper diodes to save money? Prob not... you'd be going for the lm301bs. Same idea.
I even switch my bulbs during the grow (cmh) to fine tune my growth. 4200k veg 3100k flower and 10000k finish. It's worth it imo. That's what 'gets me off' tweaking things, getting good equipt, trying some different techniques...etc

Dont take this as an act of war or anything just some discussion with opposite views. It's good for someone to read both perspectives instead of someone's biased opinion on a subject.
I'm neither for not against buying exp bulbs. Do what you want to do it's your grow! Both will work just fine.
But my PERSONAL opinion is yes it's worth it. Everytime.
 
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xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Jjgrow420 said:
X. I like you. You've got a wealth of knowledge... but your stubborn. Lol. I know you like to save $ and maybe that's what gets you off. That's awesome, everyone's got their 'thing'. But I think youre misleading the op a bit with your statement.
While I agree with you that it's unnecessary to buy expensive gear for the most part, there are some things I won't skimp out on. Bulbs being one of them. Your weed is only as good as your light source. It's the 'engine' that drives the process of photosynthesis which of coarse you are fully aware of (not trying to sound condescending). Would you put a 4cyl motor in a Lamborghini? Nah... So even a small bump in umol/s and/or finer tuned spectrum WILL give you better results. Facts. If spending an extra 50$ gets you a few extra Oz's of frostier buds is it worth it? I think so.

For you maybe what you get is good for what you need so there's no reason to justify spending more on a bulb and that's cool too.
But the truthful answer is yes it is 'better' to buy better bulbs. The real question is... 'is it worth it for you'
If you were to buy smds would you buy cheaper diodes to save money? Prob not... you'd be going for the lm301bs. Same idea.
I even switch my bulbs during the grow (cmh) to fine tune my growth. 4200k veg 3100k flower and 10000k finish. It's worth it imo. That's what 'gets me off' tweaking things, getting good equipt, trying some different techniques...etc

Dont take this as an act of war or anything just some discussion with opposite views. It's good for someone to read both perspectives instead of someone's biased opinion on a subject.
I'm neither for not against buying exp bulbs. Do what you want to do it's your grow! Both will work just fine.
But my PERSONAL opinion is yes it's worth it. Everytime.
Click to expand...
People can use whatever bulbs they want. I've been using HID's for years and have used numerous brands of bulbs.

Those expensive bulbs diminish in light quality just like the cheaper ones over time. They are not 6 time better than the less expensive Vivosun bulbs but they cost 6 times as much for 600 watters and 4 times as much for 1000 watters.

Everyone keeps saying that HID is old technology and it is which is why it's not difficult for many of these newer companies to sell comparable bulbs for much cheaper. It's already well known technology and easy to produce.

The OP asked about replacing a 400 watt bulb. They can spend $70 for a Hortilux or $14 for a Vivosun and end up with the same results. The spectrum of both lights are almost identical. Both are enhanced spectrum super HPS bulbs.

I stand by everything I said. It has nothing to do with being stubborn.


Hortilux




Vivosun



.
 
Jjgrow420

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
People can use whatever bulbs they want. I've been using HID's for years and have used numerous brands of bulbs.

Those expensive bulbs diminish in light quality just like the cheaper ones over time. They are not 6 time better than the less expensive Vivosun bulbs but they cost 6 times as much for 600 watters and 4 times as much for 1000 watters.

Everyone keeps saying that HID is old technology and it is which is why it's not difficult for many of these newer companies to sell comparable bulbs for much cheaper. It's already well known technology and easy to produce.

The OP asked about replacing a 400 watt bulb. They can spend $70 for a Hortilux or $14 for a Vivosun and end up with the same results. The spectrum of both lights are almost identical. Both are enhanced spectrum super HPS bulbs.

I stand by everything I said. It has nothing to do with being stubborn.


Hortilux




Vivosun



.
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Ya I figured you'd take my comment the wrong way. All good.
40 bucks ain't breaking the bank for me so to each their own. Neither of us are wrong. Different strokes for different folks
He'll, I've bought 150$ bulbs I've never even used yet and prob won't ever use lol.
I'd rather deal with quality product then worry about bulbs bursting, poor light quality, and bad QC.
 
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xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Jjgrow420 said:
Ya I figured you'd take my comment the wrong way. All good.
40 bucks ain't breaking the bank for me so to each their own. Neither of us are wrong. Different strokes for different folks
He'll, I've bought 150$ bulbs I've never even used yet and prob won't ever use lol.
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I didn't take anything the wrong way. We're having a discussion. We just disagree about some things. It's not a big deal.
 
Jjgrow420

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
I didn't take anything the wrong way. We're having a discussion. We just disagree about some things. It's not a big deal.
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Ok cool. I just didn't want you to take it the wrong way is all. Respect.
You can actually take credit for a few things I've realized and changed so I do value your advice.
 
Jjgrow420

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
That's the great thing about these forums. When I started growing, nobody talked. Bro science was rampant and yea we used to wear sunglasses and a hood to the grow shop in fear the cops were on the other side of the road taking our photos and following us home. Lol. Now we can openly share our knowledge and gain wisdom from all sides of the earth without the fear of 'the man'. Other people's pov, or ideas can change the way you think about something and of coarse knowledge is power!
 
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