New Bulb Choices. Ushio, Digilux or?

legallyflying

Well-Known Member
Huh. Mine produced poor color, less dense buds and not so great trich development. Maybe my strain didn't like it? Maybe you got some special one? I'll sell all six of mine for $20 each. They have 9 weeks on them
 

Michelangelo00

Active Member
The GE Lucalox 600 Watt HPS Lamp uses state of the art technology in this high pressure sodium lamp. It boasts extra PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) for excellent light quality. Get your GE Lucalox PSL/XO Lamp 600W today and see the latest in high pressure sodium bulbs. Note: There has been reported issues with the Lucalox PSL with electronic ballasts. Please use these lamps with magnetic grow light systems only.
 

legallyflying

Well-Known Member
Guideline, not a rule. Lol.

Two runs on them so far without any drastic drop in lumens.

From GE: LucaloxTM XO lamps are of very robust and reliable construction, designed to meet the most demanding requirements. There are fewer parts and only 5 critical welds.
Simplicity and robustness deliver higher reliability. In addition, they are compatible with both magnetic and GE approved electronic ballasts.


Unlike "grow companies". GE provides all the technical parameters of their bulbs. My gut feeling is if you have a high quality ballast you will be fine. If you have some POS ballst you may have issues.
 

Trousers

Well-Known Member
I'm on my second year of using ushio and it produces just like the first run.
simon d recommended it, I think he uses GE bulbs now.

I use a 600 watt hps digital ballast.
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
Legal I forgot to mention I use my digilux with a quantum ballast. Imo those are the best ballasts. They got most innovative product of the year 2 years ago. I don't know if that ballast makes a difference in the bulb there. They boast that their ballasts make the bulbs produce more lumens without over driving them. Then again Lumens don't mean anything.

On the Par rating. Lumatek has the highest par 1780, thats because there is a gap in the yellow wave length, having less wasted light. It has very little red and blue. Digilux has the 2nd highest par 1680. It has the most red and blue of any bulb. It has an intensity of at least 50% in those wave lengths, where most bulbs like ushio and hortilux only have an intensity of 5% to 10%.

It's all about the spectrum.
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
Yes sir you are correct. Plants absorb 20% of green light. plants also reflect green light. The green wave length helps the plant to absorb more photons in other areas.
 

KidneyStoner420

Well-Known Member
Sorry to bump this but I currently run a Lucalox in my digital 250w.
Just bought a dimmable 600 and wa going to go with another Lucalox. However, I saw on 3 different bulb sites that they warn you that the Lucalox are only for magnetic ballast.
Too bad because the PAR rating on the Lucalox is over 1000.
I think I'll be purchasing the new Lumatek. rave reviews, same price as Lucalox and also over 1000 PAR. They are made to handle digi ballasts too.
Ushio, hortilux, digilux, all are around 200 PAR.
 

legallyflying

Well-Known Member
If you go to the GE website it says differently. I would call GE and ask about your ballast and compatability. Like I said, I have had no problems. Buy what you want obviously but there is a reason ushios and hortilux are THE most popular bulbs by a big margin. Par doesnt mean much of its in the wrong wavelength for optimal results
 
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