what would it be? (aside from flouros) I'm trying to decide MH or HPS and only have the funds for 1 system. Which light would be a better single light to own? I'm looking at either 150HPS or 175MH. I'm not concerned with max yield as much as i am with maintaining healthy plants. Would HPS produce a "better" plant than MH if used for both veg and flowering or does the benefits of flowering under MH make it worth the use during veg? I'm going to decide on a light in 2 weeks and order one. How many plants, or even better, SqFt of area will a bulb in that range adequately cover? I don't think i'll have to worry about heat buidup with small wattage either. I'd like to run this wattage in my proposed 18"x24"x96" space. I can make the space bigger or smaller because i haven't enclosed it yet. Thanks in advance!
definatly go with the hps, it is the ideal spectrum for budding, the mh is really only good for the vegging being more of the blue spectrum rather than red. either will work but you will be more satisfied with the hps.
If I could have any light I would get the P.L. Deep Reflector or a Diamond Luminarc III Reflector and a 1,000W HPS Hortilux or Iwaskai bulb...big bucks though.
Cool, i'll get the HPS. Thanks for the help. Is $129 a good price for bulb, hood and ballast 150wHPS setup? How many lumens or watts per SqFt is a small HPS like that good for?
That light is good for an area of 2 x 2, 4sq feet...at the most, and around 2,000 lumens at least/per sq foot. If you're buying an HPS the more watts/lumens the better, notice how the price doesn't go up much for the 250W? I've got a 430W for 9 sq feet. My point being, save money for a decent system...they take up the same amount of space and you won't regret it.
vataloco, What is your approx. power consumption in $$$ (US) How much does that one 430w HPS cost to operate? How bad a hit does your electric bill take? Phyll
As an alternative to the HPS light, you might want to consider one of the red spectrum augmented MH bulbs that are out there, AgroSun Gold comes to mind. You should be able to put together a complete system for < $200US that will do you proud. Here are some links to lights and such: http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/lights3.shtml http://www.northernlightsgrowroom.com/8 highpressuresodium.htm For many more choices, do a Google search for "grow light" Electricity cost calculator (usually < $30/mo. for 400W): http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/hid_lamp_op_cost.asp Good luck!
I try to conserve energy when I can by turning the tv off, lights, and unplugging any big adapters. I don't really notice a difference in the bill but at times it could be $20 more. Keep in mind that the light is only on for 12 hrs.
or you could allways do what i did ,i bought a MH light for veg then i saved my money and by the time flowering starts get a HPS conversion bulb for the flowering stage..i paid $70 for a 400 watter..good luck
yep HPS is the way to go. Just make sure its not to close to the plants especially if its a high wattage. If its too hot for the back of ur hand its too hot for the plants and needs moved back till u can put ur hand next to ur plants n not feel alot of heat.
I always thought that it was better to have a Sodium system and get a MH conversion bulb to switch it to Halide...since regular HPS bulbs are brighter than the conversion bulbs.
yes but if you don't have the money to buy the MH conversion bulb at the same time you buy the HPS ballist...your gonna veg under MH so it stands to reason to get the MH ballast then the HPS conversion...oh well every one has their own way..good luck and happy growing .
more leaves more bud sites less stretching...shorter plants with more pot...i used to grow only with a