lights

[SmokinStang96]

im a beginner grower. have a couple questions about lighting.

my grow spot is a 2' x 3' space. im planning on running a 400 watt HPS bulb.

what all parts will i need to make it work? will i need a special relector for a HPS bulb or will it fit any light reflector i buy? if i need a special one, what do i need to ask for? im just wanting a 2' domed reflector that i can hang from the ceiling.

i called a local electrical supply company earlier to price a ballast and lighting fixture for a 400w HPS Floodlight bulb. price ended up being $91 for the ballast "kit", and they wanted something like $150 for a fixture for a HPS bulb.

should this really be that expensive? ive heard of small HID kits for 300 or so, and thats what ill end up having into this HPS setup if these prices are right.

also, i called another place looking to price a 400 watt HPS floodlight bulb (cheapest local light bulb store around) and the said they didnt have any HPS bulbs, only HPS lamps. they only wanted $16 for it, local dept store wanted $25 for a HPS floodlight. whats the difference between a HPS bulb and a HPS lamp?

any and all help is greatly appreciated. i really need to get this stuff soon. :D

[SmokinStang96]

ok, well after looking around it does seem as if those prices are about right. this is my first grow ever and dont really wanna throw down that kinda change right now. at least not for the first few grows. so ive been thinking, what about 4 - 2ft long flouresent lights? would that be a decent setup for the first couple rounds and learning? what bulbs and what wattage should i get if i go flouro?

if anyone can lead me in the right path id greatly appreciate it. theyve sprouted this morning so id like to go purchase whatever lighting i need asap and im really a lil lost here.

[godzbudz]

yeh but ud need to do a lot of pruning(its not hard if u read the right guides)and keep the lights about an inch away from the top of ur plants

[SmokinStang96]

ok, so what lights should i get? 100 watt Fluorescent white tube lights good? or should i get the philips aquarium bulbs? (i read somewhere on here those were good fluoros to use, the book i have suggests fluoro white tubes as the best fluoro lights though) what should i get?

also, will 4 - 2" lights be good or excessive? my space is about 2' x 3'.

they will be fully adjustable from the ceiling. and im planning on keeping them as close as possible like you said. why will lots of pruning be needed with the fluoros? i have a growing book (cannabis growers bible) and it explains how to prune, but not really when is the best time. when should i start pruning them? vegatative period?

most importantly though i wanna know about the lighting right now. ive got at least a couple weeks to read/catch up on pruning :D

[bonbon]

could be the best deal for a brand new system....bonbon http://www.1000bulbs.com/category.php?category=878

[SmokinStang96]

yea, ive seen some good deals on the net. just dont wanna order it. rather buy it locally with cash.


can anyone give me recomendations on the best fluoro light to use? whit etubes or aquarium? 4 - 2 foot tubes overkill?

[bonbon]

four 30WT tubes will work(2coolwht,2warm)should be OK for the whole grow from start to finish,use a good reflective material(reflectix,mylar,foylon)....bonbon

[SmokinStang96]

will 30w bulbs be sufficient? or should i go brighter? whats the difference between a cool and a warm fluoro?

the walls of my space are painted flat white, ive heard this is pretty good for reflecting the light? would mylar be a better choice though since im using fluoros?

thanks for the help so far! really appreciate it! :D

[bonbon]

40WTs are better,but they are 48"long,cools are blue and warms are red,my dog ran away and my cat is dead,...flat white is just fine....bonbon

[smokeydabear]

I think you need to know how many plants you plan to grow first.
then you better decide the watts.
but soon as you can go hps!
I pretty new my self but i do know hps is the way to go.
good luck.

[SmokinStang96]

amount of plants will be 4. its going in the corner of my closet so im not looking to do many. i know the HPS is the better choice, just dont wanna plop down that much change when im not sure if ill even ever grow again as of now. thats why im going fluoros.

thanks for all the help though. im still a lil lost on the bulbs though. what am i looking for on the package thatll determine if its a "cool" or a "warm" bulb?

[SmokinStang96]

nevermind, i read my book a lil more and determined that on my own! :D

[bonbon]

on the end of the tube it will say "ww"for warm wht(red spectrum)or "cw"cool wht or daylight(blue spectrum)you can mix the two for a nice full spectrum....bonbon