Is it OK to change light temperature mid grow (HIDs)

C

carlcastro

Hello,
 
I tried searching to see if there would be any adverse affects of changing lights randomly. But came up with nothing. I've been growing a few different peppers under this 400W HID source and the results don't look too bad. The peppers have been under this lighting system (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YXDHX6) since late September.
 
I was cleaning up and just realized that I've been using "bulb 1" when I realized that the two boxes have different specs.
 
Bulb 1 specs:
400 W
56,000 lumens
ET18
E39 Mogul
2000K
100V/4.6A
 
Bulb 2 specs:
400 W
36,000 lumens
T15
E39 Mogul
4200K
135/3.25A
 
This is the lighting setup I currently have, operating on a 16 on 8 off schedule:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YXDHX6
 
Here's how many peppers are currently doing:
http://i.imgur.com/yrfMoqc.jpg
 
I have a few questions:
1) Should I switch from bulb 1 to bulb 2? I think I read that somewhere on THP that I should be closer to 5000-6000K.
2) Should I buy a different bulb altogether? If so, what temperature/specs should I look for?
3) If I do switch, would my plants be affected since they've been under this light set up for about a month now?
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
To all accounts, peppers aren't nearly as sensitive to spectra as marijahooky.  (There's even considerable debate as to whether the evil weed istself is all that sensitive.) 
 
That said, bulb1 is quite red at 2000K, but it has considerable more lumens.  Bukb2 is in the nominal sweet spot at 4200K, but considerably fewer lumens.  If you do see a difference, don't ascribe it immediately to the spectra.
 
(And if you do choose to compare spectra, look at the full graph of intensity vs. wavelength.)
 
I have the same Apollo setup. I was also confused about which bulb to use so I just ordered another identical HID setup, without the bulb.
Now I have two 400W HID lights, one has the 2000K bulb, the other has the 4200K. With both of them, I should be getting a good full-spectrum light source. 
 
My Habs and Jals are setting tons of buds and pods. My tomatoes look like crap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top