Growing Without HPS Light
maybe a stupid question but is it possible?
like i said in another thread, im getting ready for my first indoor grow. 3-4 plants. im starting with 2 150w CFL's to veg and was going to switch to a 400w HPS that i have. well, i turn it on last night to check it out and somethings broken. its not exactly new and at this point, im not ready to drop $200-$300 to get a new one.
my question is are there any alternatives to HPS? maybe more fluorescent? or would i just be better off dropping the cash on a new HPS?
Growing Without HPS Light
How much would it cost u to buy 4 oz, verse the $300 on a light? 4 oz being conservative.
Growing Without HPS Light
Have you taken a look at InsideSun or Maryland Hydroponics? Both are great companies with deals on cheap lights. If you really want to make an investment you're going to drop more coin but if you are satisfied with a budget unit and reflector I'd just get a new 400W HPS. You're probably going to spend just as much on high-output CFLs as they are trendy right now.
You can certainly grow without a HID, though. The heat output from CFLs is greater than equal wattage HIDs and they may end up being as expensive or even more expensive. It's probably also a slightly slower growing process with smaller flowers due to less efficient penetration and a far smaller high-lumen output field.
Either one is going to produce quality flowers once dialed-in but I think the better option is the HPS. Happy growing!
Growing Without HPS Light
i was looking at InsideSun.com and im thinking about ordering an Econo 400w hps. its only a hundred bucks. im just unsure about it because its a refurb. but it does have a 3 year warrantee.
Growing Without HPS Light
I think they have a good reputation, especially lately. Any light may go bad at any time so I don't really see it as any bigger risk than buying new. Save the money with a refurb and get a good flowering bulb down the line.
Cheers mate.
Growing Without HPS Light
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoyNamedSue
i was looking at InsideSun.com and im thinking about ordering an Econo 400w hps. its only a hundred bucks. im just unsure about it because its a refurb. but it does have a 3 year warrantee.
The 400w HPS that you mentioned works great. Just make sure you get a MH bulb with it too for vegetative growth, and save the HPS for flowering. :thumbsup:
Growing Without HPS Light
Quote:
Originally Posted by super420
The 400w HPS that you mentioned works great. Just make sure you get a MH bulb with it too for vegetative growth, and save the HPS for flowering. :thumbsup:
Don't run that MH bulb in a HPS fixture! BAD combo!!! :smokin:
Growing Without HPS Light
its an mh CONVERSION bulb, it works fine in the same ballast.
Growing Without HPS Light
You should bring your light to a hydroponics store, they could most likly fix it for a lot cheaper than a new light. It could just be something simple.Just bring it in and see what they think, see if they will give you an estimate first.
Growing Without HPS Light
Quote:
Originally Posted by indicloset
You should bring your light to a hydroponics store, they could most likly fix it for a lot cheaper than a new light. It could just be something simple.Just bring it in and see what they think, see if they will give you an estimate first.
thats what i wanted to do but im away at college and out here id be lucky just to find a basic gardening place let alone someone who could diagnose and fix an HPS.
i ordered the 400w econo hps from insidesun. i was thinking about getting the MH conversion bulb for vegging like super420 suggested but ive got one 150w CFL for each plant and two 60w CFL's to supplement light under the leaves so i think that should be fine for vegging.
Growing Without HPS Light
Post some pics and let us know how it goes without the MH. Even the HPS for vegging will be better for a main light though.
Growing Without HPS Light
If the original question was can you grow with just a HPS, the answer is yes.The light periods are whats important to the plant.Everything else is the amount of lumens their getting.No matter the finer aspects of the finish product ,HPS will work quite well.-usdi Agaluga
Growing Without HPS Light
Growing Without HPS Light
a 150W cfl would be a BIG one ... it would require a mogul socket
are you sure its not rated to be equal to 150w of incandescent?? most of the boxes for CFL lights have that on them... like it will say 45w/150w.. .meaning its a 45w light that outputs as much as a 150w incandescent
incandescents btw are nearly useless to grow with... i have seen many very respectable grows done under all flouro lights though :thumbsup:
Growing Without HPS Light
I just got a 400 Watt Highbay MH lamp on ebay with an aluminum relfector for 55.xx bucks. Going to cut the reflector in half and weld it together to make a bowl shape, or get some sheet metal and make a reflector for it to grow my tomato plants. Even if the bulb that it comes with needs to be replaced (which most likely it will be due to age), figure a hundrend bucks for a 400 Watt MH set up is not bad.
You can go the same route with the HPS. Some Highbays are designed for HPS lamps, and you can get one for about the same. Or build your own. It's alot easier than you think.
Also like Snow Owl said, think about what a few oz of Tomatoes will cost you compared to a good light. I'm running a 1KW HPS that I picked up for 125 bucks on ebay. Plus have a spare 400W HPS incase the 1KW dies on me. Can't beat that with a stick, just have to watch the deals out there.
If your interested in building your own HPS unit, reply and I can help out with a design. Simple easy to find parts, CHEAP, and will reward you with bigger tomatoes.
Just found out my other 2 plants are female so now growing 4 females under 1KW. Happy, Happy, Happy!!
