Light maintenance thread

[reefcouple]

Just curious if anyone knows the science behind 1000W HPS Bulbs and when they should be changed out?

I use Hortilux bulbs that are a bit pricey, been using the same bulb for the past 2 years and have not seen a change in yield results..

Same goes for my H0T5 Bloom table, been using those bulbs for a couple years as well and haven't noticed a change.

I've read or heard about light meters, but its been awhile and my memory is a little selective so I need some input on those as well..

Much appreciated..

 

[sagensour]

They say the color spectrums dont hold up. Mostly just heat from old bulbs.

 

[UncleBuck]

i'm too lazy to go cite this, but i have read on various manufacturer's websites that hps lamps do not lose a whole lot of their output before they die, that they retain something like 80% of their strength, whereas mh does not retain as much. these stats should all be on the manufacturer's website.

since this is light maintenance, the best way to clean an hps lamp that has dust or other shit on it is with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and a 100% cotton cloth or t-shirt.

 

[reefcouple]

i'm too lazy to go cite this, but i have read on various manufacturer's websites that hps lamps do not lose a whole lot of their output before they die, that they retain something like 80% of their strength, whereas mh does not retain as much. these stats should all be on the manufacturer's website.

since this is light maintenance, the best way to clean an hps lamp that has dust or other shit on it is with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and a 100% cotton cloth or t-shirt.

I have read the same about HPS retaing the majority of their spectrum throughout bulb life and that MH loses its spectrum alot quicker (I dont use Halide)... Just not sure how accurate thos reads are/were...

Thanks for the reply.. I think I will stick with my current bulb until she actually dies...

An actual light meter would be great huh!!

 

[UncleBuck]

light meter would be great....but expensive.

just get on the website for whoever manufactured the bulb. it should tell you retention levels there. from what i remember reading, it is pretty consistent among all hps lamps.

 

[doc111]

Just curious if anyone knows the science behind 1000W HPS Bulbs and when they should be changed out?

I use Hortilux bulbs that are a bit pricey, been using the same bulb for the past 2 years and have not seen a change in yield results..

Same goes for my H0T5 Bloom table, been using those bulbs for a couple years as well and haven't noticed a change.

I've read or heard about light meters, but its been awhile and my memory is a little selective so I need some input on those as well..

Much appreciated..

All the grow shops around me recommend changing them once a year..........probably a ploy to make more money off of growers.