Choose your own adventure! 1 = Detailed Explanation of my issue 2 = I don't have time for this crap just give me the short and sweet... 1. Well I have searched and while I may of missed the thread I am trying to find out if I have possibly damaged my bulb. Originally I had tested the lamp a 400W Lumatek Digital Ballast with Dimmer 250/275/400/SuperLumens and a Hortilux Eye 400W HPS Bulb. This all is 1 grow / 2 years old. That said the grow went half way and the stuff has been boxed literally until last week. My friend kindly gave me these to start with so I could I focus on a tent and ventilation costs. So I fire the lamp up and it is orange as all hell and I feel blind. Then I turn it off and leave it off and don't touch anything. I mount in closet for about a week. I fire it up at 400w and dim it to 275 after a moment I see a visible dimming and I go to 250. It then stays at 250 for several days (4-6) tent arrives I put it in tent turn it on all is well. However at this point I realize this is the first time it was powered on in any setting other then 400w on startup. Also let me please state I have ALWAYS* let the bulb cool a min of 20-30min before powering on again. I sit on the side of overcautious for cost and safety reasons. However after about 2 days of being at 250 in the tent I have some babies peeking out and wanting to grow and I figure this is the first run and an experiment so I raise the light a bit and turn it off wait about 20 min and switch it to 400 and turn it on. It is worth noting also that at this point a lightbar is added and a 6 inch variable speed fan that runs on low is on the same lightbar could this be an issue? Continue to 2 for final portion. 2. This is where the issue starts, the orange glow it is emitting now doesn't seem the same spectrum as when I initially turned it on? Is this a sign of damage or decay? I have also been using this light for about 2 weeks or so and was curious if my eyes are just slightly more adjusted to it at this point? It is definitely still orange The temperature is much cooler right now also outside and around the tent. A lightbar was added and a 6 inch variable speed fan that runs on low is on the same lightbar as the 400w could this be an issue? Any advice or tips are welcome or links to articles. I have browsed the web and searched the forums. My personal thoughts are leaning towards the fan and light being on the same lightbar and therefore plug maybe is an issue as the lightbar is old and this is running in our guest bedroom. I will remove them from the lightbar LIGHTBAR / OCTOPUS = idk wtf everyone calls them. They are just a plug that makes 1 socket many and have a on off switch and surge protector. Thank you for reading this and taking the time from your life. As a new grower and father of a 2 year old I understand the most precious gift you can give another person is your time and for that thank you again.
IMO I think you're okay those bulbs last some time but if your are worried I would get another bulb.. Also make sure you don't burn the plants that's some pretty intense light did saplings just like your eyes went out of wak so dose the photosynthesis lol how this helps you...
I am positive the wattage and the light are good for what I am doing and they are a good distance from the hood as well. HPS won't throw anything out of whack with the plants though a lot of people actually use them from start to finish without a MH. I just haven't picked up my MH yet I am waiting for my second tent to arrive. I just need to know if a spectrum change or loss of intense color is a sign of the bulb having an issue or if my eyes are used to it. However my fiancee said it doesn't seem as orange either. =/
I agree though and am constantly monitoring the leaves for any sign of burn as this is my first grow solo. And my first set up and so I know I have nothing but learning to do lol. Luckily I work at home so it allows me to provide constant monitoring of the equipment and plants. It just makes it way harder to not fuck with stuff lol. I appreciate the response btw man! @ khalikidmia87
Ya np I get worried to I'm doing my first solo ass well I'm always reading I turned a while trailer in a grow so I get it but when I'm home I have to remember to leave then alone lol
If you check with manufacturers you'll find that bulbs being dimmed will not put out the same light spectrum or operate at nearly the same efficiency as bulbs being operated at their full rated power.
I appreciate the reply however the issue is after it is back to the intended 400w it is not matching the same as it looked initially. However I resolved it tonight by sticking poster board in the tent for just a moment to see if it made the color reflect different and it did. I am very happy to admit I am a dumbass lol.