Hey guys so long story short I need more than cfls for my struggling plants, but I I'm nowhere near anywhere that sells a proper ballast and reflector kit and ordering grow related items online scares the shit out of me. I found a 100 watt MH 4000k spectrum bulb with a medium base at home depot for like $30. If I bought a fan you think I could just plug it into one of those socket to bulb adapters? It has a medium base (the same size as my cfls) so I shouldn't need a ballast right? You think I'd blow a circut running 8 20 watt cfls and one or two of these bulbs on the same socket? Id mount a power strip into a shelf and plug the bulbs into that. Anyone see a problem with this idea? I like it cause its relatively cheap and I could mount it into my grow closet easily. Thanks.
You guys can disregard this or a moderater can delete it or inform me on how to do it. I ended up breaking down and buying a 400 watt hid appollo horticulture ballast and fixture. Any advice on the best use of this system would be appreciated. Thanks.
with proper cooling, this lamp can be right above you plants canopy for maximum penetration. i wouldn't go over 4 foot though. that's what the 600w is for i own both and the apollo air cooled hood, as well as their tent. they are all very reliable. and that warranty is nice piece of mind my 400w ballast blew a fuse yesterday, after 2 1/2 years of continuous use. I'm working on getting a warrantied replacement
Thanks man. I don't plan on growing anything taller than 2 1/2 ft anyway. The problem I'm facing right now is that buying seeds online makes me nervous, so with seeds in short supply I'm wondering how I can keep clones in veg and flower Thier mothers at the same time, seeming as how I'll only have the one ballast. It's good to hear yours has been reliable. Are the stock bulbs decent? And also what bulbs do you recommend? I'm sure this info is out there already but as a new grower I appreciate yalls help. Also, did your air cooled hood come with fans or will I need to purchase them seperately?