Conversion Bulbs??

[bertaluchi]

I was thinking about getting a conversion bulb for my 400watt HPS system. I can get a MH conversion bulb for like $45. Has anyone used these before? I never hear anyone talk about these things but I always see them at the hydro store. Is it worth it to spend the cash or should I just use HPS all the way. I have had good results. I use a 125watt Feliz CFL for seedlings then after a few weeks put them under HPS.

 

[kinetic]

I use a MH conversion bulb in my hps ballast. It works great and has higher lumens than non conversion lamps. Go ahead the veg will respond great to the blue spectrum. Good luck and happy growing!!!

 

[TheHealingOfTheNation]

Im new here, but conversion bulbs are bullshit. They have far less lumens than HPS. Just use the HPS.
I was using a conversion bulb that looked really dim. I had it about 16" from my plants. When I swapped it out for an HPS at the same distance and fixture, it burned the hell out of my plants in one night because it was so much brighter.
Take a look at the specs, all conversion bulbs are far less lumens than HPS.
They veg better under the HPS than they do a weak conversion bulb.
Get some T8's and save some wattage

 

[kinetic]

Im new here, but conversion bulbs are bullshit. They have far less lumens than HPS. Just use the HPS.
I was using a conversion bulb that looked really dim. I had it about 16" from my plants. When I swapped it out for an HPS at the same distance and fixture, it burned the hell out of my plants in one night because it was so much brighter.
Take a look at the specs, all conversion bulbs are far less lumens than HPS.
They veg better under the HPS than they do a weak conversion bulb.
Get some T8's and save some wattage

You do know that the difference between MH and HPS is spectrum right? And that the plant utilizes the spectrum of each lamp depending on if it's in Veg, more blue spectrum, or Flower, more red spectrum. To say a conversion bulb is bullshit is short sighted and not very helpful when there is more than enough evidence to indicate otherwise.

 

[TheHealingOfTheNation]

LOL. Id bet you were told that crap at a hydro shop.
Get an MH if you want a blue, but dont use a conversion
400W MH is 50,000 Lumens while a conversion isnt even 40,000.
Either way, an HPS is going to be cheaper and give you more light and you wont have to change bulbs like a monkey.
Seriously, just use T8's. It will save you money

 

[bertaluchi]

Thanks for the advise unfortunately I'm still here on the funking fence. Any real lumenologist types out there that actually know the truth about these things? I just want the best for my girls, ya know.

 

[kinetic]

Thanks for the advise unfortunately I'm still here on the funking fence. Any real lumenologist types out there that actually know the truth about these things? I just want the best for my girls, ya know.

Listen to the hostile guy thats recommending t8s and not t5s for some reason or you can look at my honest thoughtful advice. And by the way I used to work at a lighting store, commercial and residential. Good Luck amd happy growing.

 

[TheHealingOfTheNation]

T5 are hotter and run more watts. Go with T8's and save some wattage to get the same results.
T5's cost more to buy and operate. You would also probably have to buy HO T5 unit at a hydro shop from some douchebag that would try and sell you a conversion bulb.
Just grab a cheap T8 from the hardware store like everyone else. Its always the 600W guy who thinks he needs a T5 to be bigger and better.

 

[kinetic]

T5 are hotter and run more watts. Go with T8's and save some wattage to get the same results.
T5's cost more to buy and operate. You would also probably have to buy HO T5 unit at a hydro shop from some douchebag that would try and sell you a conversion bulb.
Just grab a cheap T8 from the hardware store like everyone else. Its always the 600W guy who thinks he needs a T5 to be bigger and better.

Im sorry that you had such a hard time in a hydro store that you have all that hostility towards them. I answered the guys question about using a conversion bulb. Obviously your mistake of neglecting your plants after switching bulbs was the lamps fault. Obviously you can grow with flourecents but Im willing to but not "everyone" is using T8s for veg. Not what the op asked about is it? He asked about conversion bulbs and I answered. You should drop the high and mighty act and conduct yourself decently.

 

[TheHealingOfTheNation]

They fried because they went from 30,000 lumens to 50,000.
Conversion bulbs are weak. Its as simple as that.
Why pay for 400W if you are only getting half the lumens? Thats a lot of wasted electricity.
Every large scale grower I know uses T8 because of electric costs. Theres no point to T5. You might as well be running HID's at that cost.
And I didnt say everyone is using them for veg. They are using HPS veg & flower. T8's for early veg