i found what seems like a pretty good deal here ---> High Tech Garden Supply If you dont wanna click, its an HID Ballast good for up to 400w of bulb. Comes with a free 150w HPS bulb, which is perfect for my soon to be grow, and it comes with a free reflector, but most likely i will be buying a cooltube later on. Does this sound like a good deal or is there something better? (FYI If you found something better, don't flame me. I haven't searched for anything, i just happened upon this page.)
The ballast can't be good for both 150w and 400w. It's matched to a 150w bulb, I think it is safe to presume the ballast is 150w. Don't believe that ad's claim about coverage, 150w is inadequate for 9 sq ft (that's less than 17 watts per sq ft.). That kit is good to cover 3 sq ft at most, good for 1-2 plants. If you see more plants in your future then look to a 250w or 400w kit, available for about $50 more. Also, if you are considering an air-cooled hood I would recommend getting it now, otherwise you are buying one hood now and another later, which will cost you more in the long run. Oh, and Kush, your sig is disgusting, I really suggest you change it...
can do heh ^_^ anyways, i was stoned when i found it but i could have sworn i read something on the page that sai dit was good to 400w though. at any rate i probably misread something. the 3 sq/ft size is perfect because the space i have is only about 2.5x1.5x6 and its just for a personal stash, or maybe "giving" out a few grams to friends. i actually found a DIY cooltube thread so im going to be following that. thanks you guys and +rep to both of you, even though my rep doesnt matter yet.
High Tech Garden Supply i got this and got the conversion attachment and its so worth it.....!!!!!!! also remember you gotta pay for shippin and thats $60+, but its up 2 u
Value versus price --- The real question is, "How soon do you want to buy it, AGAIN?" HTG is a good company with an established presence, as well as 4 brick and mortar locations in the US. There is a reason why they are successful. Just my 2 cents!
A 150w would be perfect for your space - over 5000 lumens/sf and you can get 150's really close to your plant(s) - as close as 4". HTG is a good buy. HTG sells the same hood for their 'intro' systems up to 400 watts - not the ballast. That's probably where the confusion came from. Good luck on your grow!
So what if its refurbished? It works doesnt it? AND it comes with a 3 year warranty so yeah I would say its DEFINITELY worth it.
i gotta question for you. i heard that with a 150 watt or even the 250 watt hps lights its cheap at first to grow because its the introductory light setups being the cheapest compared to the bigger lights etc. 400-1000 watt lights. what i heard is that the lights dont have enough power to create a large enough yeild to pay for the electricticy actually being used to grow the plants. i really dont know if this is true or not seeing how im doing my grow op soley off of cfl's lol
A 150 W HPS is the most efficient as far as lumen/watt is concerned 16000 watt 150 lumen/watt 106.666667 lumen 23200\t watt 250\t lumen/watt 92.8 Wonder would 3 150's be better than a 400? could you wire 3 sockets to one 600W ballast?
Hmmm, just the opposite of what I've always heard and the numbers bear out: 150w = 16,000 lumens = 106.7 l/w 250w = 33,000 lumens = 132.0 l/w (where did you see only 23k lumens for this?) 400w = 50,000 lumens = 124.0 l/w 600w = 95,000 lumens = 158.3 l/w 1000w = 150,000 lumens = 150.0 l/w The 150w is the least efficient -- a 600w actually is the "sweet spot" of most lumens per watt. These lumens are all from the HTG website.