How often should I change my hps bulb?

OK never thought this was a big deal til... I have gotten two harvests that were underweight in my opinion. How often do you guys change out your bulbs? Resin production is killer, quality is high, yield is low.

Single ended every harvest. Double ended every other harvest.

what do u mean Carolina?

double ended bulb? looks good capn

Thanks cap master.
Do you mean gavita double ended, carolina? I am just using an eye hortilux 1k bulb.

we may never know lol jk
I use flouro but will be getting some low power hids soon bbut I would change mine once a year

Replace single ended hps after every cycle. Replace double ended hps after every other cycle.

Is what Caro is saying. Which would be overdoing it. A good DE can be used 4-5 cycles before losing 2 % on ouput. Replacing it roughly once a year will make it pay for itself, any sooner is pointless unless you get the bulbs for free. For single ended every 2-3 runs max.

Once per grow. I my opinion. I keep one one or two used ones for backup. Defects happen

Get a lux meter. Test and get a good reading 12" away from the center of the light. Every couple of months repeat the same test under the same conditions. You'll see a drop in intensity and can use that as a guide to help. Remember HPS bulbs are on only half the day 12 hrs not 16 or more like a vegging bulb. Something to consider.

I replaced my single ended once a year

I replace mine 2 timea a year.

I am going to run the DE 4 rounds before I change them because something about if the bulb loses more than a few percent juice the ballast won't fire. This is what I was told at least.

Single ended I buy the 25 dollar extra sun bulbs and replace every 2 rounds.

Mh bulbs in veg I run til they stop working lol

cap master said:

what do u mean Carolina?

Click to expand...

I replace a standard single ended bulb every harvest. I replace a double ended bulb every other harvest.

The companies can claim whatever they like. My lumen and par meter shows me the degradation in bulbs. So that's what I go by. I don't check anymore, and just replace on that schedule.

Following along.

I replace my Hortilux single enders every 3 cycles and I use them for veg. I've not noticed any reduction in yields or an increase after I change for that matter.

I used to use cheaper lamps and they needed to be replaced every cycle. It was worth the $$ to upgrade. Better yields and longer lamp life. Same variables except lamps and I got a 20% boost in yield.