HID -> HPS + MH question...please help

Hey!

I was thinking about getting a HID setup for flowering my plant when it gets to that stage. At the moment I have 1x200w blue Envirolite for the veg stage, and was planning to get a 200w red for flower- but I think that an HPS setup would give better results.

After looking around some websites I notice I can pick up a 250w hps setup (Control Gear, Budget reflector and lamp) for around £100. The question is: for 1 plant would I see a great improvement with the 250hps over the 200w CFL Envirolite?

Also, Can I use that same setup, but also buy a MH bulb- so I use 200w Envirolite + 250w MH for veg and then swap the bulb and flower with the single 250w HPS?

Lastly, what is the fire risk with these HID setups?, would a 250w setup give off enough heat to be a fire risk?- (if the ventilation is not good enough/ breaks and the grow space is a small cupboard).

Thanks for your help!

I am also looking into LED lights, but dont know enough about them yet to make a decision----> im off reading about them now..but a quick google search shows that they are not cheap...

You'll get better penetration into the canopy with the 250w HID than you would with CFLs, but you're right, you'll also get a bit more heat.

You can't, however, just switch HPS bulbs out for MH bulbs unless the manufacturer specifically states that the ballast can accept both types of bulbs. If it isn't a switchable system, you'll need to buy a conversion bulb for the specific system you purchased. If you purchased a 250w HPS, then you'll want to find a 250w MH conversion bulb for it if you want to have halide light.

You don't have to worry about fire from the grow space heating up too much. Worst case scenario there, you'll fry your plants, but it won't heat up enough to ignite anything in the area. Make sure you ventilate the area well, and the 250 shouldn't get too hot. You'll want to make sure that the ballast, and all other electrical components are off the floor, and out of the way of rogue water that might get spilled. Ignoring that, on the other hand, can cause a fire, or can shock the living shit out of you when you least expect it. Basic safety guidelines are common sense, so just follow them and you'll have very little to concern yourself with.

*Edit* I know absolutely nothing about LEDs, but I'm very intrigued by them as well.

Thanks!, that cleared a lot up!

If I choose the HID system I would definitely need two holes in my cupboard, one for fresh air and one for warm/old air + some fans and ducts to move the air away- Iâ??d rather not have to do that if there is another way.

The other option I have is to go with two 200w Red Envirolites, this way I can have one at the top and one at the bottom/side to provide light to the lower section of the plant. For ventilation I could use a 9â?� fan to move the air around the cupboard and good quality ionic air purifier which would hopefully refresh the air and also get rid of any smells, also, opening the door from time to time will air the place out a bit too. Do you think that would be sufficient?, or do I need to make a proper vent system even if I am not using HIDâ??s?

Thanks!

Well, proper intake and active exhaust systems are great for keeping temperatures almost exactly where you want them, and when hooked up to a filter of some sort, for removing telltale odors. So, if you can afford to get snazzy with the ventilation system, then it's not a bad idea to do so. But the setup you described should work just as well for your intentions, so don't worry about cutting holes and such unless you absolutely want to. And if working exclusively with CFLs, you probably won't need to. But definitely keep your eye on temperatures. If temps shoot up past 85F, then you'll need to find a way to cool things down better.

Take care. :jointsmile:

Thanks!, Iv been looking around and have a few plans, but it all costs money and if its not really needed then I wont bother- just have the internal fan and ionic air purifier. Is there anything that messures the quality of air in the grow space?, Im guessing the air needs to be vented for temps and also to supply fresh/clean air to the plant- would this just be the oxygen and co2 the plant needs?- so some sort of o2/co2 meter?, anyone use one?