Hi, Looking for opinions, on the lifespan of cfl's for efficiency. Ie: how long do you think they would last before loosing lumens. It seems I can get 2 yrs off my hps bulbs before they need replacing.
2 years is a long time to run a hps bulb even on 12 hours per day. By one year old they are at about 90% and they keep dropping. The loss in light efficiency is costly and I recommend replacement within 18 months at max for hps. Compact floros have similar lifespans to hps bulbs. Both are good for about 1 year and then they should be replaced. BOG
Thanks man. Prolly explain for my short internode veg growth im getting. I know on the ole OG, someone had put data regarding it.
Well, I went to Wally World and got some new cfl's. In my travels, I also stumbled upon dolomite lime, so i scooped that also. "Can, you see the difference, I can see the difference" I swear the leaves on the Lifesaver perked up after the light change.
Those bulbs make pretty decent vegging lights. There are bigger bulbs you can get that are very bright if you want even more light. They also sell inexpensive linear cfl's but these while good arent as bright as the T5 type intended for vegging plants. They are a lot brighter than regular floros however and of the same type blue light that vegging plants love. Nice veg room for very low cost. I have vegged plants this way to try them and they arent bad but some light is wasted with the coils. BOG
I have to work on my veg area, it is pale compared to my flowering closet. The one thing, I have noticed and liked with this cfl light setup, my height growth is less than average but short nodes and internal growth is great and this works out perfect for my end product,as I like my final height around 24-30". I have pondered putting rolled up foil inside the cfls, to bounce the light back. Xtbudda...
