Which light is better for growing?

[Hennessy1414]

Metal halide or high pressure sodium? I kno metal halide is prefect for the beginning stages and HPS lamps are good for flowering/budding but which do you think works better for using after the plants have been a month and a half or so after sprouting? I'm deciding which to get and ill be using it the whole time once i get it. Those bulbs cost too much $ to buy different kinds. anyone who replies thanks in advance. :rastasmoke:

Hennessy1414 Reviewed by Hennessy1414 on 11-04-2007. Which light is better for growing? Metal halide or high pressure sodium? I kno metal halide is prefect for the beginning stages and HPS lamps are good for flowering/budding but which do you think works better for using after the plants have been a month and a half or so after sprouting? I'm deciding which to get and ill be using it the whole time once i get it. Those bulbs cost too much $ to buy different kinds. anyone who replies thanks in advance. :rastasmoke: Rating: 5

[Twentyinches]

I would get a switchable ballast, then the only thing you have to get is 2 diff bulbs. Depending on what wattage system you get, that would be under $100 for the extra bulb. Then you can run your MH for vegging, and once you switch to 12/12 change bulbs to HPS and keep the same system. I mean that beats having 2 diff systems for each bulb.
Otherwise if you are going for just one, then at this point ide say HPS... but seriously it's worth the tad extra for the one extra bulb..

[macro]

if you absolutely needed one go HPS, GREAT for flower (stage 2), good for veggin. (stage 1)

plus a MH Conversion bulb will only cost $40 on ebay, so you can have the best flowering lamp, and the best vegging lamp all in one!

is it against rules to post links to vendors?... i got my lamp from High Tech Garden Supply and the conversion bulb from eBay (from HTGsupply) 400watts and both lamps for about $200.

[Hennessy1414]

so much money. like i still have to smoke while this shit grows. too hard to save!

[Mic-Mechanic]

You could use HPS for flower and use HPS in conjuct with some 6500k blue CFLs. a 26watt 6500k bulb is anywhere from 5-20$ depending on the store and your location.
The cord/socket piece is usually another 5-10$. So if you scrounge around you could easily outfit cheap lights to balance out the HPS problem. (I mean, HPS's can manage on their own, so with CFL's youll be dandy)

I know watcha mean about wanting to smoke while it grows....

[Hennessy1414]

You could use HPS for flower and use HPS in conjuct with some 6500k blue CFLs. a 26watt 6500k bulb is anywhere from 5-20$ depending on the store and your location.
The cord/socket piece is usually another 5-10$. So if you scrounge around you could easily outfit cheap lights to balance out the HPS problem. (I mean, HPS's can manage on their own, so with CFL's youll be dandy)

I know watcha mean about wanting to smoke while it grows....

i really want decent bud though so im willing to spend 100 bucks on a HPS lamp with a hood. should be bout 100 bills.

[stinkyattic]

Expect to pay more than that for a good one. Spring for the air-cooled hood... your plants will thank you.
It's entirely possible to veg under flourescent shop light tubes. That's what I have done for years, check my grow logs.
But a HPS for flower is the best thing since mankind decided to try to bring his gardens indoors.

[Twentyinches]

Yeah it might cost a little bit at first but you only have to buy it once... and you will have to live with what you bought, long after you forgot how much you paid for it.

Only thing you have to worry about replacing is the bulb.
Plus a good light will pay for itself in like the first grow...

[Hennessy1414]

true that. ill just trade my ipod video for a lamp/hood. i think i found someone on craigslist.com to trade with me. so thats word