Is the price of a bulb worth the difference? - GreenPassion.org - Dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Education

knottyd · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 09:02 PM

I recently purchased a 400 watt system and it came with what I found to be VERY good bulbs. They are both eye hortilu, MH conversion and a super HPS. Well is the difference in price for a normal bulb and "avanced" bulbs? My bulbs are used and I want to replace them but not sure if I want to spend abot 70-100 per bulb. I'm all about you get what you pay for but I've read in posts that people pick up bulbs for $10-20.

The HSIC · #2 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 12:47 AM

It's hard for me to say at this point, I am running a $7.00 bulb right now in one of my lights, but it's only been about 10 days now.

My gut instinct is to say, I'd rather replace my bulbs with the l'cheapo unit twice a year.

midgradeindasouth · #3 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 12:50 AM

yup
Check out 1000bulbs.com

I found a 400 hps for $7 and 400 w HID conversion bulbs for $38.00

I bought 3 400w hps and the one I am using seems like it is just as good and will last just as long.

Mogie · #4 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 09:37 AM

It just seems to make sense and go with a cheaper bulb as long as it provides the same as the expensive even is you do have to replace twice as often. You will still be money ahead. Hey does anyone have a good place I can look for a cheap 600 watt hid?

green_nobody · #5 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogie

It just seems to make sense and go with a cheaper bulb as long as it provides the same as the expensive even is you do have to replace twice as often. You will still be money ahead. Hey does anyone have a good place I can look for a cheap 600 watt hid?

if you can't find one in the states, go to a europian grow shop. the 400W and 600W bulbs are the most commonly used ones in europe, so there is plenty to choose from. the only bad thing is that the dollar is so weak right now - so only do it if you really unabe to find anything good within the states.

and to that 1000bulbs.com place, its funny - ilooked thru the 3 400WHPS bulbs they offer. well they all cheaper then what i know, but the sylvania as the same specs pretty much as the cheaper plusrite, and if i 8 of those i still pay less then for one eye! and sylvania used to be damn good!

The HSIC · #6 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 07:28 PM

1000bulbs.com Mogie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogie

It just seems to make sense and go with a cheaper bulb as long as it provides the same as the expensive even is you do have to replace twice as often. You will still be money ahead. Hey does anyone have a good place I can look for a cheap 600 watt hid?

tokecrazy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 11:11 PM

Mogie I looked on 1000bulbs and they don have 600 watt bulbs.Plantlightinghydroponics.com has them for 49.90 to 70.00 bucks and that's holux and sungo bulbs.The 600 watter are a little more than the cheap ones right now but there prices are low to what's out there.The 600 is new and is in the middle of the 400 and 1000.PEACE

Hobo · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 11:59 PM

bulbs are one of the greatest expenses to a grower, not just to buy, but to operate too. if your going to buy a 400watt bulb, make sure your getting the best out of those 400 watts. a 400 watt clear blue MH at 4000k does very little for the plant in terms of photosynthetic radiation. i upgraded from one of those types after discovering this fact, to a hortilux superbulb.... a huge noticeable difference, and a good extra 5000 lumens from the previous bulb i had.

dont go by price alone. look at the lumen output and the color output in nanometers on the box of the bulb, the life expectancy of the bulb. and decide if its worth it for you to opt for more effecient bulb at a higher initial cost.

if you ran a 400 watt hid for 12 hours a day at 9 cents a kwh.. it would cost you.... 43 cents a day or about 13 dollars a month, so keep that in mind when your making a choice between bulbs, to make the most use of your 400watts

ISO2BWELL · #9 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoboCabbage

bulbs are one of the greatest expenses to a grower, not just to buy, but to operate too. if your going to buy a 400watt bulb, make sure your getting the best out of those 400 watts. a 400 watt clear blue MH at 4000k does very little for the plant in terms of photosynthetic radiation. i upgraded from one of those types after discovering this fact, to a hortilux superbulb.... a huge noticeable difference, and a good extra 5000 lumens from the previous bulb i had.

dont go by price alone. look at the lumen output and the color output in nanometers on the box of the bulb, the life expectancy of the bulb. and decide if its worth it for you to opt for more effecient bulb at a higher initial cost.

if you ran a 400 watt hid for 12 hours a day at 9 cents a kwh.. it would cost you.... 43 cents a day or about 13 dollars a month, so keep that in mind when your making a choice between bulbs, to make the most use of your 400watts

My sentiments, exactly. We spend so many dollars on HID equipment, and the lamp, IMHO being a rookie, seems to be the key link in the "light chain". I'll save up the extra dollars and buy the best I can get.

Having the best lamp that is recommended also greatly improves a rookies chances of finishing a good grow, even with all the other screw-ups that happen along the way.

ISO

green_nobody · #10 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 10:50 PM

well it is a question i actually don't have since my HID was build around a brand of bulb of philips, a dutch brand. so have to go premium always in order no to cause damage to my rig.
but i would love a place to get em cheaper - normally you pay 70-80bucks a bulb of these. getting those for 50 would be a big improvement already.