Is it worth having both MH + HPS?

[SeedKing72]

Dont you use MH for vegatative and HPS sodium for Flowering?

If you had to choose one, what would be the best?

Is the conversion worth it (one Ballast 2 bulbs you switch)?

[HARDDON]

I still prefer both MH & HPS.

If it was ONE OR THE OTHER, go with the conversion bulb, not the conversion ballast.

With the conversion bulb, you can always upgrade if these new dual spectrum bulbs prove to be any good.

[latewood]

I have both and still want both..for clones and young plants the MH makes them thrive
and you can use an enhanced red spectrum bulb, i.e. agrosun gold or sunmaster make one, about 65 bucks either way
the HPS is much warmer and can be used by itself with full spectrum bulb such as hortilux...which has enhanced blue spectrum close to 100 bucks

you can use the hortilux/blue all the way through grow and if you also have a MH with enhanced red spectrum you could probably use it throughout entire grow, but,
If you have both with enhanced bulbs,respectively...you cou start with: (or use both all the way thru)

enhanced MH for 2-3 weeks then add enhanced hps for warmer spectrum and increased lumens(like the middle of summer), then remove MH or turn it on only; during the middle of light cycle each day using the enhanced hps for finish, up to harvest,
the last 2-3 weeks...

Yeah I would say, if you can have both then have both...I love the MH on clones they just thrive under the white/blue spectrum...just my $.02

[Rezinator]

SeedKing

Am also mulling over the expense of supplementing limited spectrum CFLs in my unusually shallow (15") cabinet grow. Plant is ScrOGed so only 3 ft sq.

With cost being an issue, I'm hopin the following 150W conversion system will outperform a couple full spectrum florescent(s) in my situation.
Beauty is I can buy the MH ballast now, get the HPS conversion bulb for this grow; and buy the MH bulb next spring.

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Harddon just answered my question about going with the conversion bulb rather than go the dual-use (conversion) ballast route. Good one, H.

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The following links show good prices across usual range Wattages, plus a lot of good info.

Meanwhile sure you've seen that MH conversion bulbs also exist that go into HPS ballasts.
I will be asking sources whether HPS or MH conversion bulbs hold up best.

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Meanwhile: The 150W system I'm considering:
Plus a pic of my box as reference for smaller scale grows:


150W HPS Conversion Bulb
Uses 175W (M57) MH ballast. (defers cost of MH veg bulb till next grow)
Higher in blues than most HPS.
15,000 initial lumens.
$44.90
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/product_info.php?products_id=87

MH 175W (M57) Ballast (for some reason the above 150W lamp wants a 175W ballast)
$49.00
http://www.hellolights.com/17unmagm57ba.html

Mogul Base / Socket
$29.00
Item Code: 61-61007
http://www.hellolights.com/methalparref.html

[mand]

Hello Speedking :) I use the ballast, tranformer thing that takes both and yes it is worth it ;)

The MH bulb provides light from the blue end of the spectrum which is ideal for vegitive growth.
The HPS bulb provides light from the red end of the spectrum which is ideal for the flowering.


However if I was just going to use one only, personally I would choose the MH bulb as it also does produce enough red light to induce flowering.
Altohugh a combination of the two is by far the best bet ;)


love mand xxx :)




Oh mine is a 400 watt set up and seems to cover my 36 sq ft grow area just right ;)

[SeedKing72]

Thanks, Mand I have a 400Watt HPS with the converter bulb, I want to get another light perhaps a 600Watt JUST HPS to supplement that light, I will probably get a 1000Watt and use the 400Watt for a 2-3 mothers...

[Marc Benson]

Pretty technical there Mand!!

[Zandor]

Pretty technical there Mand!!
Don't pick on Mand!!!

If you could only buy one it should be HPS with one of the enhanced spectrum HPS bulbs. The do offer a color shifted bulb that produces blue spectrum that is good for vegetative growth and they still have the red spectrum for flower.

If you are only going to buy one setup that is the one I would buy.