Questions on a light I've been looking at

[fishhen]

Ok so I was wondering how well this light I found on the internet would work for growing.
Spectra Max High Output Fluorescent / HP Sodium Hybrid Plant Grow Light Systems by Sunlight Supply at Home Harvest Garden Supply
Thats the link to the page, it says it produces 24,000 lumens or so at only around 246 watts of electricity but I read that and compare it to a HID lamp that puts out 90,000 lumens or so averaged and think that 24k seems a little skimpy to really be trying to grow with... So what are your opinions on this lamp? BTW I'll be growing in a quite confined space, I'll have 2 to 3 plants at the most. Just looking for opinions thanks a bunch

fishhen Reviewed by fishhen on 11-17-2007. Questions on a light I've been looking at Ok so I was wondering how well this light I found on the internet would work for growing. Spectra Max High Output Fluorescent / HP Sodium Hybrid Plant Grow Light Systems by Sunlight Supply at Home Harvest Garden Supply Thats the link to the page, it says it produces 24,000 lumens or so at only around 246 watts of electricity but I read that and compare it to a HID lamp that puts out 90,000 lumens or so averaged and think that 24k seems a little skimpy to really be trying to grow with... So Rating: 5

[Twentyinches]

Man for that price, I would go HID. You could pick up a switchable 400 watt ballast with everything, just get a MH bulb and HPS and you would be set for 2-3 plants. Usually the package comes with one or the other as far as bulbs so you would only have to get the other bulb. I hate conversion bulbs they are too $$. So thats why I always say switchable. check this out, and you can upgrade whatever you want like better ballast etc..
then you have your MH for vegg, and HPS for flower all in one :thumbsup:
400 Watt Sodium/Halide Switchable Maximizer Grow Light System

[fishhen]

Awesome thanks for the advice, but my only issue is that it being such a small room and all will the MH and HPS bulbs get too hot? Because I wont really have an extensive exhaust system... Or will a fan in the middle of the plants blowing on the light cool it enough and produce well enough air flow?

[Twentyinches]

yeah i forgot to mention that it will get pretty warm, and if it's in a small area you will for sure need some ventilation. But I got away with using a regular house fan with a 1000watt system, just made sure it didn't get too hot where the plants were, and had air always blowing in there for circulation and to keep it cool. Beats paying out the bung for ventilation stuff...i would have had i really needed to but it worked good with the fan from wallyworld.

[fishhen]

How big was your room? How much of a temp change did the light make? Was it a big enough temp change that it would really affect the plants? Sorry for all the questions lmao I try to get all the angles before I make a move.

[Twentyinches]

It was about 6' x 6' corner in a room. it did get warmer in there but usually only when I had the room closed off, if a door was open it wasn't so bad. Usually it does best with a temperature around 74-76°F, but I recall mine sometimes went up into the 80's. The fan helped a lot to bring it down. as far as affecting the plants, it can if it gets too hot but sometimes depends on the strain, some are more heat resistant then others... Cinderella 99 was a hearty one I remember. but i would start with some bagseed.