Anyone using CMH bulbs?!?

[Timmahh]

we are all here to learn something. I learned a lot from this thread also and I'm not even from Michigan,lol

My goal was to just see what bulb was really the best, and in the process, maybe save myself and you people some money if a cheaper bulb is comparable to the top of line ones. But mipainpatient has helped to expand my knowledge of lighting, so The next rip is in your honor.

testing hortilux,sun master and ultra sun tomorrow. stay tuned for results.

when i started growing last year, my main goal was to get the best light for the plants. after a few weeks of reading and research, I ran across the 400wCMH. after researching it, and seeing the PAR ratings and the cost of the bulbs, added to the fact they usually last twice as long with minimal degradation over its life span... and having a good understanding of how PAR effects lights (though not making the PLANT Connection) is what drew me to go with the Philips 400w CMHs. Now if i can just get the REST of my grow in line, id be happy. lol

 

[Timmahh]

point to keep in mind. the Philips CMH Bulbs are the only bulbs (i believe) rated for an OPEN HOOD. ie.. no glass....
the glass WILL filter the lights.. SO those of you with closed hoods are losing some light via the glass itself. not to mention UVs if the lights apply any.


the Philips have a little uv i think. but the glass in closed hoods will effect your par rating a bit as well.

 

[ryan1918]

It doesn't seem cost effective, I still think I would add 4 1000 watt's for $1000 vs getting 6 of these lights and hoping they would produce more.

 

[VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO]

It doesn't seem cost effective, I still think I would add 4 1000 watt's for $1000 vs getting 6 of these lights and hoping they would produce more.

for flowering, 4 1000's with a 400 cmh in the middle produces amazing bud with amazing colors. When we first tried this set up, all the plants leaned toward the CMH, the colors of the finished product were different then without it.
I mainly started using the 400 because it has a very low heat output. but have found it to be very useful in other ways.

TIMMAH, we tested a closed vs open hood, the resulting loss was only 10 par, VERY minimal.

 

[Schmarmpit]

I love CMH bulbs, just don't stare at them too long or work directly underneath them for extended periods. The UV is harmful just like always. I've heard that the UV can cause some strains to get frostier, as the resin is produced to help protect against UV rays?

Either way, I've been using them in my 12/12 from seed setup for the past 2 years. It makes 12/12 from seed so easy because the plants love the light spectrum in both veg and flower. I grow in a small tent and have about 12 different plants going in 1-2 gal pots, all at various stages. I start them in 16Oz Dixie cups until sexed. I use a 50/50 mix of FFOF/Happy Frog only. I rarely even need to feed them. Some plants do fine with just water the whole way through. I'm only pulling 1/2 - 3/4Oz dried off each plant, but it is way more than I can smoke by myself. And I'm pulling new strains every other week or so.

 

[Trichyn9ne]

Ryan- I'm not hoping the 400w CMH bulbs will produce more but I'm hoping for a healthier, faster growing, more frosty buds by covering more spectrum or par.

Timmahh, Victory, and Schmarpit- Thanks for your inputs. Victory I look forward to the test results and I hope you get them posted in this thread!! I just ordered a 400w CMH because of all the advice on this thread + I switched to a 250w CMH in my veg closet and I feel like growth is faster and plants look healthier.

 

[ryan1918]

I would love to see the results of one that was using one and one that was under a normal hps, same strain.

 

[mipainpatient]

I would love to see the results of one that was using one and one that was under a normal hps, same strain.

Here is a link to the google results for the query of "hps vs cmh"
https://www.google.com/search?q=hps+vs+cmh&sugexp=chrome,mod=12&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
a start?

 

[VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO]

we have a clear winner so far, it is the new hortilux bulb.

on reg. setting it pulled 2545nm and on superlumens went to 2601

the sunmaster is weak at 2280nm and 23330 for SL.
I ran a 2 year old sunmaster and it put out 2120 on SL. so, a bulb definitely loses some over time.

 

[Huel Perkins]

we have a clear winner so far, it is the new hortilux bulb.

on reg. setting it pulled 2545nm and on superlumens went to 2601

the sunmaster is weak at 2280nm and 23330 for SL.
I ran a 2 year old sunmaster and it put out 2120 on SL. so, a bulb definitely loses some over time.

What is the "new hortilux bulb"?

 

[tomcatjones]

What is the "new hortilux bulb"?

overpriced.

 

[VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO]

What is the "new hortilux bulb"?

they just put out a redesigned bulb

 

[Huel Perkins]

they just put out a redesigned bulb

I literally just bought a new Hortilux Super HPS 1000w a couple months ago, how do I know if its the new or old design? I still have the box if that helps....

 

[2easy]

in case any one is interested found a good price on the 830w cmh

http://lightbulbhut.com/ceramic-metal-halide-ellipitcal-watt-c-24_922_1045.html

 

[VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO]

I literally just bought a new Hortilux Super HPS 1000w a couple months ago, how do I know if its the new or old design? I still have the box if that helps....

new box is pink, But they used the last of there old boxes and put new bulbs in with a sticker on them. They didn't want to waste the old boxes, Trying to save a buck and be enivro. friendly
http://eyehortilux.com/education-room/lamp-basics.aspx#lampanatomy

 

[FatMarty]

in case any one is interested found a good price on the 830w cmh

http://lightbulbhut.com/ceramic-metal-halide-ellipitcal-watt-c-24_922_1045.html

I think that is vertical only lamp.

 

[2easy]

I think that is vertical only lamp.

it sure is it would be perfect with one of the new OG vertical hoods. they are supposed to be the bees knees

 

[FatMarty]

I'm kinda looking for a 1000 watt CMH lamp.
I just ordered new hood and I don't have height for vertical bulb.

Does anyone know if the dual-arc lamps are the same or similar to CMH?

 

[gooseman420]

So ive got the lumatek digital ballast with the high par bulb air cooled in a king cobra head was going to add another identical one and run them side by side but after reading this I'm just wondering if id be better of with 2x-400w cmh on both sides of the 1000w instead and should I get mh or the hps bulb ballast combo In cthe mh's , this is for my veg room

 

[Huel Perkins]

How about the Hortilux Metal Halide "Blue" enhanced bulb, anyone using or ever test this bulb??? I've made posts on this site years ago asking for opinions on if but couldn't find anyone who even uses them, seems like the $250 price tag (i know you can find them a little cheaper) has everybody scared of them...

Looking at their color spectrum they look absolutely amazing, even compared to the new and improved Super HPS.

"New" Super HPS

"Blue" enhanced MH

Your thoughts????