bulb change identifier?

[shuggy4105]

I have a 400w HPS/MH set-up.what i woud like to know is-is there any indicator that will tell me if the bulb needs re-placing?
as "our" lights have to work soo hard,is there something to watch out for i.e dip in the light intensity, heat etc,to enable us to know when the replacement is due? i`m pretty sure cfl`s need replaced every 6-12 mnths.Does HID lighting need to be changed,(other than the light going out) as often? if not "when?" and what (if any)signs should i be on the look-out for as a clue to lighting needing changed?
i bought my set-up, second hand around three months ago, so obviously there is another bulb which came with the buy. it`s HPS, and i would like to use it for flowering but, my problem being, i have no idea of the age of this bulb. i`m pressuming that it`s old,but i don`t want to throw it out if it`s a working bulb(which it is), working for "our" purpose,is what i`m referring to?not heard much on this at all through the forum,
any replies,greatly apreciated:guitar: cheers

 

[THE BROTHER'S GRUNT]

I have a 400w HPS/MH set-up.what i woud like to know is-is there any indicator that will tell me if the bulb needs re-placing?
as "our" lights have to work soo hard,is there something to watch out for i.e dip in the light intensity, heat etc,to enable us to know when the replacement is due? i`m pretty sure cfl`s need replaced every 6-12 mnths.Does HID lighting need to be changed,(other than the light going out) as often? if not "when?" and what (if any)signs should i be on the look-out for as a clue to lighting needing changed?
i bought my set-up, second hand around three months ago, so obviously there is another bulb which came with the buy. it`s HPS, and i would like to use it for flowering but, my problem being, i have no idea of the age of this bulb. i`m pressuming that it`s old,but i don`t want to throw it out if it`s a working bulb(which it is), working for "our" purpose,is what i`m referring to?not heard much on this at all through the forum,
any replies,greatly apreciated:guitar: cheers

Morning shuggy. You should replace your HPS / MH bulbs once a year.

 

[shuggy4105]

thanx bro,any tips on recognising a bulb which is past it`s sell-by date?