So i have a few questions about HID lighting and i have done a little amount of research but due to lack of computer (im using the app for android and thank god i have a keyboard lol) my research isnt that extensive so here are a couple questions i have that hopefully some experianced members can answer but even if your not experianced but can give me an idea any input is better then none 1. Lets say i would want to grow around 4 or 5 plants. What would be more benificial here (and keep in mind that space is not an issue) would HID, cfl, or LED be more benificial for a grow? 2. With HIDs would i still need to stay within the 2700k and 6500k or would that for some reason not be an issue? 3. Along with the questions of the lumans would i also have to buy 2 sepreate HIDs for the 2700k and 6500k if the lumens were to still be something to stay within here? 4. (Roughly speaking here) how much would a HID light cost? And would their be a diffrence in cost for the 2700k and the 6500k? Any input would be great and i dont want any negitivity about my noobness because the research i have done mainly revolved around LED and CFLs.
1)HID more lumen per W, 600W has best lumen per watt ratio 2)Yes, you must. MH for vegetation,HPS for flowering. 3) If you have digital ballast then you can use it for both MH and HPS bulbs. 4) Sweat shop made ebay trash $200 for the entire set up (reflector,bulb,ballast) Quality items with 3-5 years warranty and 1year warranty on the bulbs will run you: 600W digital ballast $180-$200(nextgen,lumatek,galaxy),quality bulbs (digilux, lumatek) $80-$90 each,Air cooled sealed reflector $80+ Also you'll need carbon filter (phresh,can) $90+ and inline fans :OK-$60, Good $140+ You can look at my set up:http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-room-design-setup/769345-my-secret-jardin-not-done.html#post9858368 I have a tent , but it is not different than a closet (has also 4 walls...)
To be fair to those sweat shop laborers, I've been running one of their lights for almost 2 years now w/ out a single issue and I got a tent as well for $80 which I am completely satisfied with. Pics of results in my journal.
Do not take me wrong(and personally). I am not saying that it will not work, but if you looking for best performance, you have to pay for it.Lets be honest risk of failure(poor quality) is higher with unknown brands. Hundays are nice, but BWM are better.
True, but if you can grow a half pound w/ a cheap light, then you can afford to buy a better one. It's like driving a hyundai to work while waiting for your pay to get the bmw.
Agree. If he can afford to get a better set up from the beginning it would be cheaper on the long run VS spending money today only to spend it later again on better quality set up.
I am purchasing/have purchased a 250 watt hps/mh lighting system that has an electronic ballast (reflector socket and bulbs due to arrive today but I already have the ballast). It does not have a switch to change from hps to mh. Is this just plug and play so to speak. How does it know what type of bulb it is running??
it is an ulti lumenx 250 watt hps/mh digital ballast. Any body know about this brand?? Can't get to the mfr's website... I get an error when clicking on the link. I've got it up an running but the bulb appears to flicker slightly but constantly. It is an ulti lumenx hps bulb as well.
isn't the mh better for veging or does it really make much of a difference. the mh bulb puts out less lumens also making the hps seem better.
If you are growing soil indoors, I would go for a dual ballast and get an MH bulb and a HPS bulb. This is not a must though, you can veg under HPS quite well. If you are growing hydro, you really don't need MH as you are only vegging tops 5 weeks or so, then the rest is 12/12 under flower schedule. I don't use a MH bulb, just HPS. Check my links in my sig for pics in my journals. Good Luck.
I found someone selling a 400 watt setup with unused bulbs for < $100.. I know this thread is old, and you probably don't post here, but wanted to know how the ballast worked for you.