I'm currently using A MH light and its working great but it belongs to a friend of mine and he needs it back soon. I have to look for a new light now that I can use during both stages of growth and I'm on a very low budget. I'm looking for something around the $50 range and I'm only growing in a 2x3 space. I was going to get a HPS light but I think I would need to get a ballast for it which I can't afford. I was wondering if they made any hps lights with built in ballast or if I could use a CFL light or lights to get the same results that I got from the MH. please don't copy and paste any articles I'm looking for opinions from experienced growers. If you have any ideas please share.
I found a 150w hps light w/ ballast bulb and reflector for $40 on craigslist and its doing wonders compared to th LED light i originally purchased and was not satisfied with. I'd recommend craigslist or a Cfl frow with a $50 budget im not expert though this is my first grow as well
Your budget is too low to adequately light that space. You should get a least a 250w for that space, 400w would be better. With HID you want a minimum of 50w per sq ft, so with a 150w you will have only half that minimum. And yes with HID lighting (which includes HPS) you need a ballast. Some are sold with the ballast built onto the hood, but you don't want that as it adds heat into the grow space. Don't even think about CFLs, for that you would need a minimum of 100 actual watts per sq ft, so that would be at least 24 of the 23-27w bulbs, they tend to cost about $2 each so there goes your budget right there without any sockets or wiring. Save up a bit more dough -- I don't know your situation but many folks who say they can't afford the equipment for a grow actually can scrape it together by skipping out on beer night with your buddies, eating peanut butter and jelly rather than McDonalds, wait for that hot new movie to come out on DVD, etc.