How often should one replace their HPS bulbs?

[Rabbi]

I heard some people do it every year but just wondering what people here think and do.

 

[Snype]

I replace my Hortilux 1000's after every 2 crops. I only VEG them under those lights for 2 weeks and flowering for about 65 days.

 

[Rabbi]

I replace my Hortilux 1000's after every 2 crops. I only VEG them under those lights for 2 weeks and flowering for about 65 days.

Holy shit really? Guess it's time to replace mine(hortilux as well) than, I've had these ones for a year and a half now.

 

[RoadRash]

Sort of depends on the proverbial "cash situation".

I noticed that the lifetime of the bulbs far exceeds the # of hours in one flower cycle.

If cash allows, every 6 months.


Right now Santa took my HPS ballast back to the North Pole.

That capacitor was replaced ... but it turns out it needs a new power cord.

 

[Rabbi]

Sort of depends on the proverbial "cash situation".

I noticed that the lifetime of the bulbs far exceeds the # of hours in one flower cycle.

If cash allows, every 6 months.


Right now Santa took my HPS ballast back to the North Pole.

That capacitor was replaced ... but it turns out it needs a new power cord.

Good to know, thx man

 

[uraceulose]

I replace my Hortilux 1000's after every 2 crops. I only VEG them under those lights for 2 weeks and flowering for about 65 days.

Same here but I use the Apollo bulbs.

 

[Hillside Grower]

Every 3 crops, I use MH for veg and the first 10 days of flower.

 

[Fly by Night]

Lumateks smoke my bulbs way more quickly, first crop being far brightest. Turn up to super lumens for a bit then toss em. You can tell, the glass is dark

 

[fukndenny]

4th full run with my 400w bulb, plus a good month or two of vegging time total, got a new one but haven't replaced it yet, curious to see how this 4th run yields, then we'll make a decision.

1st run was 315g
2nd run 336g
3rd run 280g

 

[Buds Bundy]

Go read up on what the manufacturer is suggesting and probably add 30% to that in life span.

Also don't fall into the lumens hype. The lumens listed on the box is the lumens in the first 100 hours of firing time after that it drops down. Look at the means lumens of the bulb which will tell you the average lumen output over the bulbs recommended life span.