Lighting upgrade worth it in flower?

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Radical Boo

Member
I was curious if it would be worth upgrading my Apollo 400W HPS to a Digilux or something of similar quality? There's about a $50 cost difference between the two bulbs so I'm guessing there has to be some benefit in the higher quality bulb. How much though, I don't know. I've always been of the "you get what you pay for" mindset, but I haven't had any problems with my budget Apollo. So would a higher quality bulb make a difference? I was planning on upgrading for my next grow, but figured it couldn't hurt to do it now if it would improve yield. I have two Nirvana Bubilicious plants in their 4th week of flower in a 3'x3' tent.
 
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thinn

Well-Known Member
I havent done the research on the bulbs but im positive digilux puts out more lumens. I have digilux hps and halide on the 400w 600w and 1000k levels and am satisfied with them.

The question you need to ask yourself is, if your apollo bulb is satifying your needs on yeild then would it be smart to switch to another bulb that costs twice as much just for a few more grams? I have never used apollo bulbs but if your happy, save your money and grow. Digilux might last longer but that is pure speculation on my behalf because i have not done the research on apollo bulbs.

So all in all, its always better to keep money in your pocket until you have to spend it, especially in the current economic situation. If you dont need it, dont buy it. You probably get kick ass results with your bulb so dont sweatit my friend.
 
R

raven1290

Active Member
Apollo is rated at 54,000 lumens and Digilux at 57,000, but I don't think you would notice any difference. It only adds a little over 300 lumens per sq./ft. with your size tent. Here's a couple links for you though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apollo-Horticulture-400w-400-Watt-HPS-High-Pressure-Sodium-Grow-Light-Bulb-/190792417754?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item2c6c1d41da#ht_2409wt_979 Apollo bulb $15.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DIGILUX-DX400-HPS-400W-Digital-Grow-Light-Bulb-Sodium-Hydroponics-Quality-/350636494098?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a3904d12#ht_3772wt_1183 Digilux bulb $50 or best offer.
 
BustyGreene

BustyGreene

Member
Quality of light is always a factor to all aspects of plant growth and final product. You should compare the spectrum each bulb puts out. I got a nicer hps this time around, and I noticed a difference in color and intensity right away.
 
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thinn

Well-Known Member
MYOB said:
May I ask how you are "positive" then?
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Because for one, apollo is a cheaper brand.

Digilux puts out the same as hortilix, which is a top lumen producer.

And Two, I have, briefly, looked at the light for purchase a while ago....last night I was not going to dig it up. If it did put out the same amount of lumens I would own all apollo bulbs. Clarification enough fella?
 
TechnoMage

TechnoMage

Well-Known Member
Some people swear by cheap bulbs or changing bulbs every gro. I've been running the same bulb for 18 months so since I was throwing a new batch in the flower tent, I swapped in a new bulb. Trying a Ushio Opti-Red this time.
 
LadyZandra

LadyZandra

Active Member
IMO- if you are going to "upgrade" really upgrade-- go to 600w from the 400w and reallly see a difference! You can still use the same fans etc-- but IMO the $$ to upgrade will pay for itself in the increased quality & yield..

We recently upgraded from all 400w lights (4 of them) if our flower room to 2 400w and 2 600w... our plants loved it! Now we put the 2 400w in the veg room and have 2 600w (for plants just coming in) and a 1000w on a rail for flowering... They go from CFL's in clone & early veg to 400w HPS in later veg to 600w early flower to 1000w last 1/2 of flower... and really made a difference!!!

We were (again) gifted another lamp-- so they will NOW be under 2 1000w without the rail soon as I can get more ducting...
;)
 
Rancho Cucamonga

Rancho Cucamonga

Active Member
I've used every brand of bulb from a no name my first grow to the over-priced and over-rated Eye's to Lumateks to Sunmasters to Sylvanias and thankfully finally to Digilux which are the only bulbs I use now.
I couldn't even get a Apollo at my store as the owner would laugh in my face as he doesn't sell junk. But the best way to prove this to yourself is after you somewhat master your skills try different brands and watts, experience is the best advice.
I use Lumatek ballasts and Digilux bulbs after about 5 years of indoor gardening half of those years being strictly marijuana.

If you do switch to Digilux or whatever these guys are a good place to shop. They don't charge premium prices for most bulbs.

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/grow-bulbs-hps-c-374.html
 
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thinn

Well-Known Member
Rancho Cucamonga said:
I've used every brand of bulb from a no name my first grow to the over-priced and over-rated Eye's to Lumateks to Sunmasters to Sylvanias and thankfully finally to Digilux which are the only bulbs I use now.
I couldn't even get a Apollo at my store as the owner would laugh in my face as he doesn't sell junk. But the best way to prove this to yourself is after you somewhat master your skills try different brands and watts, experience is the best advice.
I use Lumatek ballasts and Digilux bulbs after about 5 years of indoor gardening half of those years being strictly marijuana.

If you do switch to Digilux or whatever these guys are a good place to shop. They don't charge premium prices for most bulbs.

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/grow-bulbs-hps-c-374.html
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Amen......
 
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thinn

Well-Known Member
Like I said in my first post if they work now they will continue to do so, they are a hell of a lot less than the main name brands.....I just need to stop being a label whore and try some of this mid grade equipment out.
 
cowboylogic

cowboylogic

Well-Known Member
thinn said:
Because for one, apollo is a cheaper brand.

Digilux puts out the same as hortilix, which is a top lumen producer.

And Two, I have, briefly, looked at the light for purchase a while ago....last night I was not going to dig it up. If it did put out the same amount of lumens I would own all apollo bulbs. Clarification enough fella?
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Hate to break this to you fella...but lumens mean absolutely nothing, zip, nada, when it comes to plant growth. Using lumen output to say one bulb will grow better than another is nothing less than foolish and wrong. Get a clue buddy...its called PAR light.
 
T

thinn

Well-Known Member
cowboylogic said:
Hate to break this to you fella...but lumens mean absolutely nothing, zip, nada, when it comes to plant growth. Using lumen output to say one bulb will grow better than another is nothing less than foolish and wrong. Get a clue buddy...its called PAR light.
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Hate to break this to YOU fella.....any company selling bulbs based on par is misleading. Its actually ppfd that you want to base it upon. For instance, solistek sends out cards packaged with their product that state common misconceptions on par in the digital bulb world. Also, im pretty sure the internet is plastered with the information from people who REALLY want to get technical on the subject.....food for thought....
 
LadyZandra

LadyZandra

Active Member
Ok- Ok ...
C'mon-- guys..
It is Lumens, and PAR--
Sure- if you got good spectrum they do better- but NOT if it has 1/2 the lumens as another bulb--
and same to be said for lumens- You can have all the lumens in the world, but if it is the wrong spectrum, it won't work for shit--
And not all bulbs give you the PAR/spectrum analysis-- IMO- those you stay away from.

BALANCE is key.....

Why all the fighting & pissing matches over things that are basically 'personal opinion"- not just here- but all over the boards lately???
Get a grip guys!
It's the weekend! CHILL!
 
T

thinn

Well-Known Member
LadyZandra said:
Ok- Ok ...
C'mon-- guys..
It is Lumens, and PAR--
Sure- if you got good spectrum they do better- but NOT if it has 1/2 the lumens as another bulb--
and same to be said for lumens- You can have all the lumens in the world, but if it is the wrong spectrum, it won't work for shit--
And not all bulbs give you the PAR/spectrum analysis-- IMO- those you stay away from.

BALANCE is key.....

Why all the fighting & pissing matches over things that are basically 'personal opinion"- not just here- but all over the boards lately???
Get a grip guys!
It's the weekend! CHILL!
Click to expand...
I honestly dont do it just cause its the internet. The reason it got a response is because he took the time out of his day to click the thread, not offer anyhelp whatsoever to the topics owner and decided to pick my post apart. Thats tge reason it warranted a response. Other than that im not here to knit pick anyone, there is enough people on this forum that do just that. Anywho, on with the show!
 
TechnoMage

TechnoMage

Well-Known Member
thinn said:
Hate to break this to YOU fella.....any company selling bulbs based on par is misleading. Its actually ppfd that you want to base it upon. For instance, solistek sends out cards packaged with their product that state common misconceptions on par in the digital bulb world. Also, im pretty sure the internet is plastered with the information from people who REALLY want to get technical on the subject.....food for thought....
Click to expand...
All are valid measurements, some just have more validity than others. For two bulbs of the same spectrum, Lumens will be as accurate as anything else.

Once you start comparing different spectrums, PAR or PPFD will be more accurate. Even with different spectrums however, Lumens is a good indicator. If you have two HPS bulbs and one is 10,000 lumens and one is 20,000 lumens. Unless the 2k bulbs is just putting out green light, it's going to win over the 10k bulb. I don't need to look at PAR or PPFD to determine that.
 
SimonD

SimonD

Well-Known Member
Radical Boo said:
I was curious if it would be worth upgrading my Apollo 400W HPS to a Digilux or something of similar quality? There's about a $50 cost difference between the two bulbs so I'm guessing there has to be some benefit in the higher quality bulb. How much though, I don't know. I've always been of the "you get what you pay for" mindset, but I haven't had any problems with my budget Apollo. So would a higher quality bulb make a difference? I was planning on upgrading for my next grow, but figured it couldn't hurt to do it now if it would improve yield. I have two Nirvana Bubilicious plants in their 4th week of flower in a 3'x3' tent.
Click to expand...
There's a world of difference between cheap lamps and inexpensive lamps. I've never tested an Appolo and can't comment on it, specifically. I can tell you that every Asian-made lamp I've tested, save for a pair of Digilux1Ks (a fluke, as others did not meet their specs), measured and performed relatively poorly, regardless of the manufacturer's claims. GE and Sylavania offer inexpensive 400HPS lamps that perform very well. They run ~$20.

It this were me, I'd go to the nearest Home Depot, buy a commercial lamp (GE/Sylvania/Philips) and install it. Good luck.

Simon
 
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