Wow!!! All tough questions:

1) If the lighting is working, then everything is fine. If its not doing its job, then its the bulbs. They could be old and not producing the spectrums necessary.
2) Really, you dont. Maybe someone else will jump in with some advice on old bulb testing, but not me!
3) Figure on replacing the bulbs anyways. Chances are you will see a combination of colors that you like, and the ones you got arent them! Its really all personal preference.
4) Again, personal prefrence. I think PC are sort of getting phased out with the new HO T5's that are available. I personally like the blue look, so I go with 20k's with T-5 actinic supplement. There are some spectrums that VHO offer that the MH do not, such as 450nm but that, if i remember correctly, is primarily used for anemone's to feed.

March meeting is in San Antonio at my house on the Northwest Side! HTH!


Alex