HPS lighting?

I was wondering which of these two light systems would work best? I have read that having the extra spectrum (5000 lumens of blue spectrum) would be good, but I also have read that mirror like aluminum surface reflector (1st system) is not as good as the reflector with the dimpled dimpled aluminum (non-mirror) surface (second system). If they both are not good , due to the reflectors, could I just paint the interior a flat white to reflect better?

I am ready to purchase a light setup for my first indoor grow, but I am on the fence about these two systems. Do I want a better reflector, or a better lamp? Or can I have both with a little white paint?

Thanks, Guys

The systems:

1. 400 WATT HPS DIGITAL GROW LIGHT SYSTEM 400W XL SUN LAMP - eBay (item 160476196259 end time Sep-05-10 09:08:56 PDT)

2. 400 WATT HPS DIGITAL GROW LIGHT SYSTEM 400W SUN LAMP CE - eBay (item 370426172439 end time Sep-05-10 16:23:31 PDT)

Item #1...I've never seen a generic -50/60Hz digital/electronic ballast; that is UL 'approved'...made in China...:wtf:

Item #2...is another digital/electronic ballast that is 50/60Hz..."that passes FCC & CE'...very strange claim....probably made in China?

Magnetic ballasts are 50/60Hz...usually, digitals are much higher Hz; that overdrive most bulbs.

Buyer Beware....the ballast is THE most important part of any light system. These ballasts may work great? ..or not at all.
If they fail during a grow...game over.

The dimpled reflectors are better than smooth polished..IMO...and painting the walls flat white is an excellent idea.

$149?...you pay your money...you take your chances...Good Luck.

if you click on this sellers"see other items" link you will find a very long list of made in china stuff , among them an LED panel made using 0.06 watt bulbs. useless. the quality of all their items is suspect. i would not buy from this company.

I was looking @ HTG Garden Supply and their HPS systems. The price seems too good to be true though. $165 for a 400w HPS, bulbs, ballast, reflector, the works. Anyone have any experience with HTG? I remember hearing many years back that you should plan on paying $1 per watt for quality lights. Does this hold true today?

I don't understand how you guys in the US pay so much for HID's... For â?¬102.40 (about $130) I can get a 600hps bulb, ballast and cooltube from Germany, and I don't think it's made in China either (my 400w ballast was from Spain).

Anyways, I always say 'you get what you pay for'. May not be true all the time in this industry, but do plenty of research before buying something that could crap out at any given time and hinder your grow, or worse, burn your house down :wtf:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigtopsfinn

I don't understand how you guys in the US pay so much for HID's... For â?¬102.40 (about $130) I can get a 600hps bulb, ballast and cooltube from Germany, and I don't think it's made in China either (my 400w ballast was from Spain).

Anyways, I always say 'you get what you pay for'. May not be true all the time in this industry, but do plenty of research before buying something that could crap out at any given time and hinder your grow, or worse, burn your house down :wtf:

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Is there a particular company you go through? I'll be ordering it online so It doesn't matter if it comes from Germany. As a matter of fact, I'm a huge fan of German technology. Cars, optics, firearms, etc. Maybe because I'm predominantly German? Anyhow, I would definitely like to get some more info on quality lighting at affordable prices. I definitely don't want to endanger my family with a fire hazard. A failed grow would suck, but I can live without it for awhile. I couldn't live with myself if I lost my family due to my ignorance and negligence.:cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigtopsfinn

I don't understand how you guys in the US pay so much for HID's... For â?¬102.40 (about $130) I can get a 600hps bulb, ballast and cooltube from Germany, and I don't think it's made in China either (my 400w ballast was from Spain).

Anyways, I always say 'you get what you pay for'. May not be true all the time in this industry, but do plenty of research before buying something that could crap out at any given time and hinder your grow, or worse, burn your house down :wtf:

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2nd the motion a link to german site please BIGTOP

OK here's the site, it's in German, I don't understand German, but I know how to click hyperlinks :D

PFLANZBURG ONLINESHOP

Here's another good site, a lot of Finns use this and is highly recommended:
Head-Nature: HPS Assembly 600 W

But I think you guys in the US will have to pay import taxes on this stuff, so it might not be worth the trouble unless you have someone 'clean' to deal with Customs... :(

But, I don't know how the electricity thing goes, I think we use 220/240v or something like that...

I definitely am willing to pay import tariffs and what not. I've got a couple of people that can order for me. Thank you VERY much for the link! I've seen quite a few jokers on the boards, but it's nice to be able to connect with someone who actually has useful thoughts and advice and is willing to share them for the good of his fellow man. People like you are the reason I still believe in the goodness of humanity. Thank you again!