Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.
Many perks!
<...more...>
|
02-16-2018, 02:15 PM
|
|
Jr. Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Zone: 3b
Location: calgary
Posts: 19
|
|
Bulb replacement
Hi there,
Sorry for may be dumb question - but how often do you change bulbs? I have sunblaster T5 (fluorescent), they are working, but they are old (several years - about 5, I think). What happens if not change bulbs every 6-24 (I saw different opinions  ) months?
Thanks in advance! |
02-16-2018, 02:34 PM
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Zone: 5b
Location: Ohio
Posts: 10,950
|
|
I have fluorescent T5HO lamps (sunblaster as well as another type from Hydrofarm) that run twelve hours a day (timer). Most of my plants go outside for the summers but, since I have a dog that likes to destroy orchids, I keep those indoors. I change all the lights every two years. The bulbs usually list the hours that they should last but they do decrease in efficiency over time.
__________________
I decorate in green!
|
02-16-2018, 03:17 PM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Zone: 8a
Location: Athens, Georgia, USA
Posts: 3,208
|
|
I also have older fluorescent lights. They do lose efficiency, but my lights still seem to be functioning well enough for my plants to grow, good enough for my needs. I only have plants indoors for a few months, though. Not year round.
If it were me, I would replace when I felt the plants were not getting what they needed.
|
02-16-2018, 04:55 PM
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Zone: 6b
Location: PA coal country
Posts: 3,382
|
|
Want to see something very interesting? Compare a bulb which has been run a year or so with an identical new bulb.
__________________
Be who you are and say what you think. Those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.
|
02-16-2018, 05:46 PM
|
|
Jr. Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Zone: 3b
Location: calgary
Posts: 19
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Subrosa
Want to see something very interesting? Compare a bulb which has been run a year or so with an identical new bulb.
|
How? |
02-16-2018, 06:15 PM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Zone: 6b
Location: PA coal country
Posts: 3,382
|
|
Run 2 identical bulbs in a fixture. After a year replace 1. Compare the new to the old. Then decide on your replacement interval.
__________________
Be who you are and say what you think. Those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.
|
02-16-2018, 07:05 PM
|
|
Jr. Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Zone: 3b
Location: calgary
Posts: 19
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Subrosa
Run 2 identical bulbs in a fixture. After a year replace 1. Compare the new to the old. Then decide on your replacement interval.
|
sorry, still did not get it - what should I compare? I have old ones, tomorrow (I hope ) will have new ones... I have light meter... |
02-16-2018, 10:46 PM
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,149
|
|
Believe me, once you observe the two side-by-side, you'll know. The intensity alone will tip you off.
|
02-16-2018, 11:25 PM
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 18,578
|
|
Most people recommend changing the bulbs every 9-12 months, no longer. Your eye cannot see the difference when they have dimmed so much the plants begin to struggle.
|
02-17-2018, 12:01 AM
|
|
Jr. Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Zone: 3b
Location: calgary
Posts: 19
|
|
Ok I'm off to buy new bulbs. Thanks to all! |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:34 PM.
|
Linear Mode
