Which grow light... hmmm.

Hiya evrybody,

So i'm tryna decide between two inexpensive (cheap?) grow light systems. The first one is this, from High Tech Garden supply:


High Tech Garden Supply

with MH conversion bulb and shipping included, it's like 185 bucks, a pretty good deal I'd say.


The other option I found is an unknown from amazon, check it out:

Amazon.com: 400 Watt Electronic Ballast Hydroponic Grow Light Lamp: Home & Garden

This one comes with the mH conversion bulb and with shipping is only like 167 bucks, so I'd save about 20 bucks, but I'm not sure who the manufacturer of this would be. It says it's an electronic ballast system, which makes it seem even more unreasonably cheap. Any thoughts or experience on either one of these systems? Thanks for any help!

the High Tech package is a safer bet...it's a magnetic ballast...IMO

I have the hi tech one, its a generic ballast, but its actually pretty damn good, i've used it for a couple years now and not a single issue with it.

alright thanks a lot guys, i went with the HTG one. Got a used one on ebay for the same price as the generic amazon one, and it comes with a supernova reflector which looks better than the one included in the HTG kit. Thanks again for steering me the right way, it was a good call i think.

J

yeah the bat wing reflector is kinda well ehhh, but def. gets the job done, an upgrade isnt essential but very benificial.

Keep it simple, keep it cheap, use CFLs, and flouros. Plus with CFLs and Flouros, you don't have a massive heat problem, or a high light bill.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mississippi Steve

Keep it simple, keep it cheap, use CFLs, and flouros. Plus with CFLs and Flouros, you don't have a massive heat problem, or a high light bill.

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Not really true, the hps will run more efficient and cooler compared. CFL's make a good amount of heat, and if ur planning on using something like 400wat hps then the cfls would add up, two 150wtt cfls about 20,0000 lumes will give off a decent amount of heat. In either case proper ventilation will be needed. If anything is more simple 1 400watter compared to a bunch of cfls i would pick the hps. Theres no reason to skimp out on lighting if u dont have to, a cheap 400w light that works good and $100 cooltube is far better. So ur light bill may be more, u may initially spend 100 extra bucks but it will be far more productive and efficient. In other words, u get more for the $$

:)...

Dutch Pimp is correct. HPS is the only way to go when your looking for cheap. especially the 600 watt HPS. It has the highest lumens per watt of any other type of grow light out there. More lumens means tighter buds. Meaning better effiency. So if your looking for a light that is good to grow with for a average size grow get a 600 watt HPS. You wont be disapointed. Trust me on this. If you need more info its all over the web. Just search and you will see.

My very first grow I used CFLs and the money I spent on bulbs I woul dhave been better off getting the HPS. I would have had more lumens for the same price. The only issue would have been the heat which my room was vented anyways so. It really wouldn't have been a problem.

GET THE 600 Watt HPS. Well worth it.

Yeah I went with 400 watts cause I got a great deal on a system, and it's workin out great so far. I guess 600 watts is a little more efficient but either 400 or 600 has a good lumen/watt ratio. I'm only growin one or two plants so for me I went with the smallest light that had a good efficiency and efficacy. I've seen some very good harvest under 400 watt lights.

I wish I would have had the scratch to buy a 600w setup instead of the 400w switchable that I eventually went with. Now I will probably move up to the 600 and change from a 6'' AC Sun system hood to something that makes for a better light footprint.

Another reason I went with CFLs and flouros, is that its not gonna raise any red flags......... a pack or 2 of bulbs from wally world, a pack or 2 from Lowes, a pack or 2 from Home Depot, etc... no reason for anybody to ask questions. Especially important for me as a business owner here in rural south Mississippi. Low profile is a good thing..... don't put yourself in a position where somebody has to *DO* something about it in the first place.

FWIW, my last grow was Toxic Blue, and Nor Cal Daddys Girl. The Daddys Girl plant netted 7 cure jars full of dried, manicured bud that will rock your world, and another 5 jars from the Toxic Blue plant.

Your milage may vary.

HTG all the way i say, works great for me =)

I'm just going to jump into this post because it's close to what I need to ask anyway.

So, just got my license in Colorado. Prices at the dispenseries is insane. I assume it's the same everywhere but here if you sign your rights over to a grower. They MIGHT give you a small discount. Like $4 off a $20 gram.

So, For years I've kept iguannas in a small room in my home. However after 17 years the two monsters are fading quickly. Time to convert the room to MMJ growing to save money. (Rooms already been glowing for YEARS).

I've decided on the e-bay Ebb and flow system with 12 buckets and a B.C. starter kit. I've investigated lighting and have settled on (I think) duel arc (both MH and HPS in one bulb) on 1000w systems. Issue is, I can't seem to figure out which ballast runs these bulbs. Are they run by an HPS ballast or a MH ballast? I plan to run two of these in a 6'X10' room BTW.

It'll take me a few months to set anything up. However, with over 10 years maintaining Reef aquariums. This looks like it may be quite easy for me. Many of the test kits work the same, just different ranges.

Any info on this ballast issue would be great.

Thanks