how often do you change

[barchtruong]

I have an Orbit 48"long light with 2 mh-130w each and 2 blue light double tubes at 160w. the guy at lfs told me I need to change out all the bulbs every year. Is that true? the mh itself is $50 each at least. and the blue light dbl tubes are like $60each. Wow, I think my bank has a major leak if I have to replace the bulbs every year. please let me know. I run my mh 5hrs aday and the blue lights are 7hrs aday.
Thanks a bunch.

 

[fatcat]

ya hes right..
That why i went with T-5's.

 

[ifirefight]

Only real way to know is a lux meter....1 year is a good general rule of thumb for MHs.

 

[grubsnaek]

santa brings me new bulbs every xmas

 

[markandkri]

i replace mine yearly on bulbs as well.

 

[tru2037]

if you forget to change your MH's you'll see it in the coral. I have an awful memory so I always forget. My colt usually lets me know by shrinking, then I change the bulbs and its all good. If I heard right you have to change any bulb, T5's, PC's and MH's