2 Qs, HPS + CFL and MH vs CFL

[cloud-vvi]

Hey guys,

I have two questions,

1. will it be ok to use both HPS and CFL (soft white) together while flowering?
HPS at the top, CFLs at the side

2. Is MH works as much as HPS does while vegging?
I'm in dellema here to go either with :

a) CFLs to veggi then HPS to flower
b) MH to veggi then HPS to flower with HPS/MH switchible ballaster
c) Use MH convertible bulb which works at HPS ballaster for veggi,
then HPS with same HPS 'only' ballaster to flower

Reason is, obviously HPS only ballast is much cheaper than HPS/MH dual ballast,
and at the same time, I heard that while in veggi period that light is not that
important compare to flowering, so why not just CFL during a veggi time
(save some bucks)

Any advice?

[chimera]

I use option C and it works great. 30 days max vegging in my hydro set-up, longer than that and the plants get to big.

[kinky19777]

The Absolute best thing to do is have a MH light during VEG time and when flowering Kicks on Use a HPS or use BOTH during Flowering.. I have nothing bad to say about the cfl's but I usually only use them for Extra lght ran up n down on all four sides of the plants due to me being a cheap ass and not haveing MYLAR ( a relfecive aluminum foil looking stuff that you put on the wall for reflection)...lol But remember when you use HPS and MH you will probably have a heat issue so dont forget about that.But the true question is do you have the funds to go HPS and MH. I do recommend HTGsupply ..they have several AWESOME setups that have MH and HPS on the same ballast and they are Very reasonable ...Also they dont foreward your info to the MAN. Hope this helps

[cloud-vvi]

Originally Posted by kinky19777

...Also they dont foreward your info to the MAN.

Whoa, are you saying that some online shop actually report to LEOs when purchase
stuff?? Its too sad that HTG don't ship to Canada,

I found alternative online shop called better grow hydro store, and they have live
support chat box and I actually had some chat with one of their reps today.

They also have lowest price on Galaxy 400/600 HPS/MH ballast, and think I'm
going for that for my innitial launch.

For the heat issue, I'm going to grow at my balcony which is pretty cool all day,
(ofcourse, inside cabinet for cover-ups)
and if its not helping, I might consider spend extra bucks on vortex fan..

Oh by the way, thank you both for great advice

[Mr.Wicky]

Hey mate, I havnt used MH but a friend of mine has, and I think for veg growth CFL's are a better option, check my first page of my grow in my sig, the node distances are so close (which is a good thing) but I believe for flowering that HPS is the most optimum setup as the light penetration is greater meaning more bigger buds!

[toastybiz]

All of your options are viable, a lot of it comes down to cost.

Fluoros (which CFLs are) work well for veg as long as you have enough. I still prefer MH for veg, but the fluoros work. To me the issue is that by the time you buy enough CFLs, and fixtures, and do all the wiring, I don't think you would save money compared to just buying a MH bulb.

As between your options B and C, I don't think there is any difference in performance (delivery of effective light to the plants), just two technical approaches to the same question. If one set-ip is cheaper than the other I would go with that.

Personally I use option C like Chimera. More specifically I use a MH conversion bulb for veg and HPS bulb for flower run off a single HPS ballast, and I also supplement with CFLs in the corners of my grow box, daylights during veg and warm whites during flower.

[Sensigrower]

Have you considered a duel spectrum HPS? I use a 430 watt son agro HPS bulb by Phillips.

Here is a link:
http://www.specialty-lights.com/9960.html

[cloud-vvi]

thank you guys for nice tips!

I may go with HPS + MH convertible with HPS only ballast, along with a few extra CFLs