How often do you replace your bulbs?

[GudBud]

High there, just out of quriosity how often do you change the bulbs in your grow lights?
After every grow?
Once or twice a year?
or just when it gives up the ghost and dies?

I heard the lumens fade after a while in use, is this true?

Any input would be appreciated....

Stay safe and high...

GudBud..

 

[trich-zilla]

Seems like the second grow is the best grow, the third is similar to the first, so, I change them after 3 full runs as the 4th full run is typically less than impressive.

 

[greenhead]

Seems like the second grow is the best grow, the third is similar to the first, so, I change them after 3 full runs as the 4th full run is typically less than impressive.

I'm not saying that your experiences are wrong, but that seems not to make sense. Did you grow the exact same strain under the same conditions for each of those grows ?

You'd figure that grow #1 would be best, then it would keep on slightly diminishing after that, since the light would keep getting weaker.

 

[wafflehouselove]

and don't forget that after each grow supposely you get better because you familairize yourself with the strain your growing. So lets not speculate anymore, anyone here with a light meter?

 

[trich-zilla]

I'm not saying that your experiences are wrong, but that seems not to make sense. Did you grow the exact same strain under the same conditions for each of those grows ?

You'd figure that grow #1 would be best, then it would keep on slightly diminishing after that, since the light would keep getting weaker.

Yes, same strain, same dirt, same nutrients, same everything that I could control. Bulbs need to break in. The first grow is good, don't get me wrong, but not near as good as the second. The second grow on bulbs is always a winner for me, always above average. We're not talking grams either

and don't forget that after each grow supposely you get better because you familairize yourself with the strain your growing. So lets not speculate anymore, anyone here with a light meter?

Been working with the same strain for two years now. This particular grow is the first time I've NOT had that strain in the grow. Unfortunately, I think what you see with your own eyes, what a light meter sees and what a plant sees are going to be 3 separate things. I've gone 5 runs on lights before cause I was too broke to change them. 1/2 pound a light didn't help the situation any. Bought new bulbs, hey, what do you know, back up to a pound a light. A pound a light isn't exactly spectacular, but it's how this strain did, regardless of how you ran it. From clone, veg'd up 2 ft, topped, lst'd or whatever else you can think of (except scrogged cause that takes too much damn time and effort,) packed in 25 under a light, or 5. You're right though, it's time for this website to stop speculating so much and get to making this a science. Impossible though, when my experiences don't match yours, or vice versa.

I know people with the exact same cut of POG as I've got and can do 2lbs a light with it. Personally, I've never gotten more than an 8th off one plant of it. It's amazing.

 

[Guest]

from what I have read you should replace them about every 2 grows. which can be expensive, so i dunno.

 

[Marijuanaut]

I changed my bulb for the first time after using it for 4 years..it was on most of the time..maybe 2-3 month off during that time.
My last grow with it was one of my best.
correct me if i'm wrong but isen't the life span of a HPS bulb something like 16.000 hours !?

 

[GudBud]

Well seems like i open'd up a can o worms on this one.

I agree that a new bulb runs at an optimum when it's new, and deteriorate's constantly but slowly over time when it's switched on.

I think what we need is a scientific study to see excactly how much and how quick the lumens deteriorate in bulbs over a priod of time...

The bulb is the indoor growers sun and prob. top of the list in pruducing good MJ. so i think this shouldn be overlooked.

Anymore input from those in the know would be well appreciated...

GudBud.

 

[wafflehouselove]

I change my bulbs mostly after every year. That way you can have a yield per year average. Less headach and you get to save money! Pfft changing bulbs every so hrs.