HPS Bulb stopped working last night

THCHead.25

Active Member
I have a 1000w HPS and last night I went in to check on things and the ballast was buzzing but no light.. I unplugged and reset after 5 minutes . But it still wouldnt ignite.
This was a used system I think was used for a year or two but not sure how new the bulb was. Can they just blow out or can you tell by looking at the bulb ? And could it possibly be the ballast .

I put a MH conv bulb in and it worked fine .. Will this screw up my harvest at all ? And do you think I am in need of a new bulb ? I picked up a 150w hps from lowes a while back . Anyone know if they carry 1000w and what they go for?

Thanks ... -THCHEAD
 

adizz

Member
1000 watt hps bulbs should really be changed every 2 cycles or so... Even befor they completely die, they lose lumens. Running a 1000w with the same bulb for 2 years is more like running a 600-750 towards the end. I could see the MH bulb stressing your plants out pretty good. Remember, the reason most people weg with mh and flower with hps is because the HPS is a closer spectrum to the sun in the end of summer. When it is low in the sky and really orange. Just changing the spectrum like that for a day may have confused them pretty good. (like a random july day in the september outdoor.) Nothing drastic will happen, but you may set them back a couple days in flower. you also may have some strong strains that dont even notice. Also, kinda doubt lowes has 1000w bulbs. worth a try though i guess gauranteed to be cheeper imo if they do stock them
 

Dirty Harry

Well-Known Member
I use generic bulbs for my percy grow. I have a 1000W light but have not needed to buy a bulb yet. For my 400W lights I get my bulbs at Menard's or an electrical material place that sells damn near EVERYTHING electrical to contractors. I grow on the cheap bulb wise, but it works well for me.
I understand the "special grow bulbs" are tweaked for light spectrum, but for me not worth the extra costs and I have done four very good indoor grows using generic industrial lighting bulbs.
If your in a pinch, pick up a local generic bulb to get you running again and order the more expensive bulb when you can.
 
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