Wrote it myself actually. I worked as an engineer for a company that made lighting ballasts for a while, so I'm pretty familiar with how all that stuff works. I'm glad the information was helpful.

I would like add a few things though, for instance, you can get some really good deals on bulbs and grow lights from High Tech Garden Supply. A full 400W HPS grow light system is only about $130 and that's with a bulb and with shipping included. Also, a high-output 400W HPS horticulture bulb is only $30. Admittedly, the bulb is generic, but when I had a problem with mine and they replaced it for free, so the service is great. I mentioned their eBay store already, but the deals are a bit better on their web site.

Also, this may change, but Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's all have cheap 4-foot fluorescent fixtures for $8-$9. The main difference is, Lowe's cheap fluoro fixtures are strip lights (ie, no reflectors) and Home Depot and Wal-Mart both have lights with reflectors. I actually like the ones with no reflectors better, because you can pack them more closely together for more light.
khronik Reviewed by khronik on . El Cheapo Guide to Lighting A guide to cheap lighting for the broke newbie stoner Fluorescent Bulbs Fluorescent tubes have good efficiency and put out very little heat, but they usually aren't intense enough to produce a lot of buds. Still, for the vegetation stage of growing, they're great. All types of fluorescent bulbs usually have several numbers written on them that you should pay attention to. One is the watts. This determines how much energy a bulb uses, and also how much light it gives off. The Rating: 5