Changing Bulb

[revolutionary]

I am looking to do a smaller grow, build a more concealed cabinet. I currently have a 400W hps and want to down grade to a 150W or 250W since I only have 3 plants and pretty small area about 3ftx1.5ftx4.5ft.

Can I use the same ballast reflector (the 400W) for a smaller bulb? Will using a smaller bulb help with heat?

Thanks for any help.

revolutionary Reviewed by revolutionary on 08-27-2007. Changing Bulb I am looking to do a smaller grow, build a more concealed cabinet. I currently have a 400W hps and want to down grade to a 150W or 250W since I only have 3 plants and pretty small area about 3ftx1.5ftx4.5ft. Can I use the same ballast reflector (the 400W) for a smaller bulb? Will using a smaller bulb help with heat? Thanks for any help. Rating: 5

[water]

i am running a 400w in wardrobe 67w 50d and 120h

if u have good extraction(i.e. rvk125 minimum) and intake u should be ok

water

[turtle420]

Wait... two things intertwined in there.

Can I use the same ballast reflector (the 400W) for a smaller bulb?

You can use the same reflector.
You can't use the same ballast.
'ballast reflector' is confusing...

So, you can't plug a 250 watt bulb into a 400 watt ballast.

Hope that helps.

Another option is to buy a full ballast+bulb set of lower watts.
??

[stinkyattic]

Another option is to buy a full ballast+bulb set of lower watts.

That's the best solution.
A 250 setup is very cheap, and someday when/if you ever get into breeding, it's a good size to use for seed runs.

[revolutionary]

yeah i was thinking about buying another lighting set up but I think I'll see what the temps get like in the cabinet and then decide

I was thinking about cooling intake air with a cooler of dry ice, has anyone tried this?

I will have to add more dry ice every 3-4 days or so but I would think it would cool the intake air a lot

I am trying to set something up in my attic so I am really worried about temperature issues

[turtle420]

You can do the dry ice thing... but, IMO, it's really impractical.
I think you need to see it for yourself...
I like that you're "thinking outside the box", but, again, just my opinion, it's impractical.
But hey, try it if you want!

Temperatures:::
1- good fans.. you can have good airflow in there. That will help.
Nothing beats an air conditioning unit... but it's completely do-able without!

2- cool tube... these help tons. And are easy to build your own.
You can check the FAQs for build your own... and/or eBay for "Bake-A-Round"



Best,

-turtle420
.

[revolutionary]

I think I have a pretty good idea. The vent fan over the stove the out take on it goes up to the attic.

So I am thinking just tap into that line and I will get air condition air from the kitchen.


Thanks for the ideas turtle definitely helping brainstorming.