Hey everyone I’ve been using leds since day one started with junk upgraded to better junk tried incorporating t5s with leds still not happy so I went and got two 315 cmh fixtures but I have to buy bulbs witch I’m OK with , however there are a few choices
4300k. 3100k and of course the 3000k. I’ve even come across a 10,000k witch I’m not sure about
When I bought the lights I was in flower do I got the 3000k , now I have read a little bit on whats next but I’m honestly confused witch ones to get
I’ve read that 3100k can be used from start to finish. If true I might have to kick myself. Not sure yet. That’s why I’m here
So it’s a choice between a 4300k or just use a 3100k start to finish from here on out
So far I’m pleased with the outcome. My critical purple seems to have adapted to the new lighting and loves it. However my Mazar struggled like they got sun burned , I’ve experienced a plant getting sun burned from going inside to outdoors and took while to adsot but my Mazar just seem to keep struggling. Though they are very close to done , needles to say I don’t expect a difference in yields this time around
So what is everyone’s input that have used cmh lighting …what’s the best bulbs to use. I am on a fixed income and I’ve seen them as much as 100 for a sing to as low as 54 for a single also some say uv as well. I do still run one led for uv and ir
When u get to the 6k lights should be more of the blue hue to them for veg cycles. 3k tod4k are more of the reddish guess for flower times. Never heard of the 10k but thinking higher up u go the more blue looks they usually get. That might be a good light for vegging plants I’m nott sure there. @dbrn32 is the light guru and most likely can explain the differences between the lights for u. Led is a way better option tho. When choosing LEDs u wanna go for good chips and a good driver to drive them chips right. Hlg spider farmer king bright enfun Mars PLC budget led there are alot out there to choose from. Mh and hos will do great work but cost u alot more on the electric bills to run. Like double the price of a led drawing the same amount of power.
That’s correct. But I think you’d do just fine with the 3k bulbs you already have.
Cmh have the best spectrum coverage for the price of the bulb lights imho.
A local grower friend uses his along with his higher end led’s for more terps and density of buds.
Super frosty with the combo.
Biggest thing with the cheaper led lights is lack of canopy penetration.
Top buds kinda ok and lowers larfy fluff.
The cmh will give a much better product in the end.
As Mark said above they do cost more to operate but probably not much over your cheaper led’s.
Might be a bit warmer in ur grow area too but if expected then you can plan for that.
Good luck with your grow. 
Thank for the feed back. I’ve read a bit further on a 10 000k , it’s seems to be a finishing bulb to be in the last two of flowering , now I’m really confused. It says it’s also great for veging. That’s why I’m confused, to my knowledge blue for veg red for flower. However it does somewhat make sense but I’m no pro on lighting. Before the cmh I was using 3 1500watt rated 200watt at the ballast by viaspectre. (Amazon) I ended up with 3 for the price of one …long story
They did a good job but still very low on yeilds, trichromes are ther the aroma is strong but no yields
So what I’m thinking is getting separate bulb for vegetation. I’m not sure on rules of posting links but here is the description of the 10,000k bulb
@Jayy Second last line says only use in last 7-14 days of flower.
Because of the higher uv emitted from it.
Too much uv can actually be detrimental to growth earlier on.
Personally I’d stick with the 3 k that you already have and run it all the way thru.
The 4 k bulb would be a better choice if you wanted to veg with a more blue spectrum. But not really worth the extra outlay of cash.
You could probably pick up a uv bar style led for considerably less than another cmh bulb to add in the last couple weeks if u wanted to
I tend to agree with you on the uv. My led is dimmed at 50 % not sure how much it’s helping but they do uv diods. All diods are by samsung I woukd assume they are good the leds also and ir diods as well not sure if that all helps either. I’m just starting to dig into lighting. Yes I’ve also heard to uv can be damaging especially in a confined area such as a tent
I think I’ll stick with what I have for and see what happens. As I had mentioned I brought the cmh in during the middle of the flowering stage
Thanks for the advice. Stay lit. Peace
You need to check specs on each individual bulb that’s within your budget. I would probably toss the conventional thinking of 3000k for flowering or whatever in lieu of spectral shift with the higher cri of cmh bulbs.
Personally, my choice would be 4200k Phillips master power bulb. That’s based on limited amount of experience with cmh.