Halide bulb swap

[Turd Ferguson]

When you folks change out your old MH bulbs for new, do you reduce lighting time for the first couple weeks given the increase in intensity due to a new bulb? If yes, what is your schedule?

Thanks

 

[DIYreefer]

I haven't run halides in a long time but when I did, I did not modify their schedule after a bulb change.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally for me, I reduce from 8.5 hours to 5 hours, then I add an hour every few days. It works for me.

 

[PaulErik]

I typically just change bulbs and leave the runtime the same. The time to replace varies with different bulbs and ballasts. I have had dud bulbs from time to time where I needed to replace them early. I usually use a PAR meter to determine if the bulbs are needing replacement.

If they are really old (way past the useful life) and dropped in intensity a lot then I’d consider cutting down the operating time by an hour or two and ramp them back up over a week or two.

 

[A. grandis]

I normally subtract 2 to 3 hours from the photoperiod and add the hours back in a week or 2, slowly, ading an hour every 3 days or so. I don't go too crazy about it, but prefer to go slower than faster. Never had problems.

 

[EZKLR]

I never changed times but I guess it would depend on how old the bulbs were

 

[N-A-S-O]

Personally for me, I reduce from 8.5 hours to 5 hours, then I add an hour every few days. It works for me.

Exactly what this guy said.