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Buying a used grow light is a lot like buying a second-hand car. There are a number of issues to be on the lookout for, the only problem is that you can’t take a grow light to a mechanic to check everything over for you. This means you have to put your faith in the seller and take them at their word. While we like to think that most people out there won’t be trying to pull the wool over your eyes, we’ve heard a number of horror stories over the years when it comes to buying used grow lights.
Even if you’re buying from a trustworthy source, you won’t be getting the assurances associated with buying brand new grow lights from a reputable retailer. If your budget is tight and you think second-hand grow lights might be the best option for you, here are a few things to look out for.
Depending on the type of light that you are looking to buy, the age of the bulbs is an important aspect to take into account. HPS bulbs will break, with the average bulb needing replacing every 11-12 months. If the lights you’re buying are fitted with old bulbs, they’ll need to be replaced not long after having owned them. The same goes for fluorescent lights and should be factored into your budget. It is also a good idea to test the lights with brand new bulbs if possible. The lights should run efficiently and smoothly when fitted with new bulbs. If they don’t, then we’d recommend steering clear of those particular lights.
LED bulbs have a much longer lifespan compared to HPS and fluorescent lights, so you don’t need to be as concerned with the bulbs when shopping for used LED grow lights. However, there are a number of other parts that can fail, such as the drivers, fans and light boards. While most LED’s can be easily fixed with replacement parts, sourcing these parts can be difficult depending on the brand. To save headaches down the road, look for reputable brands that have replacement parts available to the public. If you’re in the market for HPS or fluorescent lights, these are much harder to repair and usually require an electrical engineer.
Everything has a life-span, with a rough guide for grow lights being three to five years. You could get 10 years if you’re lucky, or only two if you’re not. Most lights come with a two-year warranty, though this can be tricky when purchasing lights second-hand. You need to verify the purchase with the supplier to guarantee your purchase will be covered by warranty.
As with all second-hand purchases, buying used grow lights comes with a significant amount of risk. It requires you put a lot of faith into the seller that their lights are of a suitable standard. By doing your homework and knowing what to keep an eye out for, you might get lucky and find yourself with second-hand grow lights capable of producing great results. However, more often than not, people end up disappointed with unsatisfactory results produced by their used grow lights.
At The Hippie House, we believe it’s a much wiser option to purchase brand new grow lights from reputable sellers. This way you can be assured of a high-quality grow light that meets your criteria, as well as being covered by relevant warranties if anything should happen to go wrong. By forking out that little bit extra, you can be confident in having a top-notch light that will last you years. This lets you focus on the important things – your plants and garden!
We’re proud to stock a wide range of the best brands in grow lights, making the process as pain-free as possible. If you have any questions, reach out to our support team of grow light experts who can help you make the perfect choice.
We stock a wide range of grow lights from brands like Electric Sky, Mars Hydro, Viparspectra, Spider Farmer, Fluence, LushPro and more. All grow lights are shipped directly out of our Australian Warehouses safely and discreetly. If you're after any other hydroponic equipment as well we also carry a massive range of indoor gardening gear including tents, nutrients, pumps, propagation equipment, mediums, testers and meters and more. Click the links below to view our range.
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