Looking to buy an HPS system, need advice

hey guy, seems there has been a lot of posts in my absence :).

In response to a few posts on here, yes i am growing in an attic and it is somewhat of a pain to bring water and supplies to my plants but I do not really have a choice. The only other space I could use in my place is a small closet and it would be too small for my needs. The attic does not have a wall on one end though which will make it better for ventilation as one side opens to the top of my living room. I wish i had a basement or ground floor grow room, it would make things a lot easier but we have to use what we can :).

Joedirte- The hps system i am looking at currently is DIGITAL 600 watt HPS AIR COOLABLE GROW LIGHT 600w HOOD - eBay (item 180175343325 end time Jul-27-08 10:44:03 PDT) although I visited hydroponics.net like you suggested and getting a lumatek ballast is really tempting. I have heard nothing but good things about that company.

My problem is, if i do get a AC reflector i do not think i would be able to puchase an inline exhuast fan. They are a lot more expensive than i was hoping. So even if i did buy a better reflector such as the one you mentioned or the one ont he ebay auction i would not be able to afford a fan for it at this moment. Would I be able to get away with having a fan blow into the incoming exhuast or even just have a fan blow on the fixture until i can purchase an inline fan?

If i could get away with a non ac hood, i was considering DIGITAL 600 watt HPS GROW LIGHT 600w SODIUM w BALLAST - eBay (item 180175343454 end time Jul-27-08 10:44:24 PDT), but again i would assume most people on here would advise spending the $50 more for the option of sealed ventilation in the future.

I know there are benefits with getting something of better quality but as always in life it seems we cannot have whatever we what. Cost has to balance with quality otherwise we would all be running our dreams setups. :-p This is my first grow so while i do want quality and a good system i lack funding, knowledge, not to mention I do not want to purchase of top of the line lighting system only to ruin my garden because i spent too much on lighting and none on say good nuits, soil ect ect.

Picture is of unfinished grow attic. Black and white poly film is on the way.

I'd get the inline fan instead of the AC hood because an aircooled hood and no inline fan is useless.

Mate keep it simple just get the standard reflector it can always be upgraded later, a fan on it's own will just blow hot air around the growroom it will reduce temps slightly but not enough.

i looked at discount hydro and they have a valueline 4" 170 something cfm inline fan for $100. then you can just use a 4" to 6" adapter. thats what im using right now. but i think if you were to use more than one light on the same exhaust system, you would have to go with a 6" fan. then i think i would use the 4" for odor control.

I just wrote a response without reading properly forget it. sorry

no worries cornish, glad you reposted. I was trying to make sense of the first one when i read that, but you see my delima? I know you are supposed to balance and ventilation to go with new lighting but $100 for a exhaust or inline fan is still an extra $100 on top of $300 for the lights :-/

tbh you have no reason to run anymore HIDs if you have one exaust without an AC hood that works perfect for my needs.

If you want a seperate room use those flouros you got they will be adequete to grow the plant up until you want to start flowering. alot will say MH is pointless for veg and fluros are fine and there is alot of truth in that,I grew my last lot under fluros until flowering then switched to a 400w and pulled 7oz (even without an exaust and erratic light cycles etc)

I think JD is one of these people who likes to buy the best and do everything perfectly well thats great if you have the money if not then the basics still work.

One thing I will say that I will probably get slated for is that carbon filters are a BIG waste of money unless you are doing a large grow.

I use odour blocks and I can't even smell them when I'm standing a foot from the growroom, you need not waste the extra money nor time on an extra exaust with carbon filter.

You and I are similar as we are growing on a tight budget I could barely afford an inline fan let alone an MH for veg (using HPS start to finish as the enviro is being used for clones).

No offence to joedirte what he says is true but he talks like the basic bits of kit are useless many will get outstanding results on the lowest budgets. don't forget that.

good luck mate and those plants are looking decent. Too bad you have to grow in the loft they aren't ideal but you will still pull a great crop with that 600watter.

Is that triangle on the end wall a vent? If so I would but a box fan blowing out in front of it to help with the temps in the attic.

the triangle at the end of the room is just an opening with some mesh across it so i could buy a box fan. I have a fan at the beginning of the room blowing air towards the opening.

thanks cornish :). the only reason i haven't ordered the set with a cheaper reflector yet is purchasing a reflector separately is much more expensive.

I am not very worried about getting a carbon filter as i live in a more remote area and smell will not be something in consideration. If anything it will be enjoyable :D.

I will make my purchase tomorrow since there is no point ordering on a sat. Any last minute opinions are valued.

if you need the better reflector wait till later it's your first grow you're still learning the ropes why invest huge amounts of money if you get going proper just upgrade as you go the set up you have at the moment is perfect if you have temp problems or not enough light then yeah upgrade.

Like my favorite saying goes if it aint broke don't fix it if the basic set up works for you why spend the extra cash.