should I buy new ones

[pugmug420]

I am on my 4th grow and am wondering how long the 400 watt sodium and 400 watt halide bulbs last. Do the bulbs effectiveness go down as they become older? Would newer bulbs be more effective? thanks for any help...

[Ms.Fox]

If you are on your 4th grow and had 3 full length grows with that light, I would probably change the bulb. You can get them at Home Depot for less than $20. ;-)

[pugmug420]

thanks i figured it was probably time to change. My lamps are hps sodium and metal halide, can i still find them at home depot for $20? Last year when i bought them at the grow shop they were something like $40 to $60 a piece. It would be great if i could get them at home depot, although i do like supporting smaller independent stores.

[Ms.Fox]

^ Yep, I bought mine from there for the last grow. ;-) Actually I found them there by accident when I was looking for another kind of bulb. They had hps and mh bulbs. The hydro stores always have inflated prices.

[pugmug420]

awesome, thanks so much for your help...