400w mh

this is my first post and my first grow.

anyway i got a used 400w mh when i started and maybe im just paranoid but it seems to me that it is putting out alot less heat and seems to be a bit dimmer and im wondering if it may be almost time for a new bulb.

i have about 3 weeks left in veg and it is a very small space. im wondering since im planing on switching to an hps or a conversion bulb for flowering, if this is dimming on me a little will it be ok to stick with it till veg is done, or is this something i really need to jump on cuz my room might be dark in a few hours?

I would just let it go the next 3 weeks, it should be good for at least a year, I think ... is there anything limiting its current flow ? .. other large appliances on same circuit ? ... long extension cord ? ... good luck :jointsmile:

i never thought of that but i have my pumps and everything on the same outlet in a surge protector.

no extension cord

the pumps run all the time though

1 air pump
two water pumps
2 fans all the time / pretty small ones

Useful life of HID bulbs is pretty short. I'd change your bulb annually. If you got it used with the bulb you are still running, it is almost certainly time for a new one. Lumen output drops while energy consumption stays the same, and your efficiency goes way down.
Just as a safety precaution, I think it is generally good practice to swap out bulbs well before they burn out on their own. I've heard of HIB bulbs actually breaking when they burn out, however few growers will ever see that because their useful life to grow plants is much shorter than the time it takes them to wear out entirely.