400watt hid nubie question

[ledsled96]

I found a 400 watt hid light not in use in our barn...ballast and all! It has a large aluminum cover. It was an overhead light at one time. My setup in a 5gal bucket, fan and this huge ass light about 3 ft above my soil. I haven't seen anything come up yet but I am anxiously waiting. My question is, is this the right type of light? Thanks in advance. :weedpoke:

ledsled96 Reviewed by ledsled96 on 06-29-2008. 400watt hid nubie question I found a 400 watt hid light not in use in our barn...ballast and all! It has a large aluminum cover. It was an overhead light at one time. My setup in a 5gal bucket, fan and this huge ass light about 3 ft above my soil. I haven't seen anything come up yet but I am anxiously waiting. My question is, is this the right type of light? Thanks in advance. :weedpoke: Rating: 5

[hatecable]

What kind color is the light that comes off? If its a oddly orangy yellow its probably an HPS which is good for flowering and can be used for most of the grow. I would make sure it isnt a mercury vapor though because from what I hear, they do nothing for growing. I would think it should have some writing on it somewhere to help you identify what kind it is. Even if you just found the brand name and a model number you could look up what kind it is.
At the very beginning though you are better off buying some cheap ol CFL,s to get that seedling going.

[ledsled96]

it is a 400w metal halide. it is a pretty clear looking light, a little orange when it starts but then it clears up.

[Dogznova]

Will work great for veg. Change it to HPS when you flower. Good luck.

[cornish_dope]

Although i do know of some growers who use metal halide from seed to harvest because they claim "they love the bud it produces" i'm the other way round been using hps from seedling and will be until harvest.

Almost the same thing happened to my friend he was looking around his garage (well his mum's) and found 4 250w hortilux growlights with reflector's and ballast. which me him very happy (and me pissed off because because i had just forked out £60 or $120 for a 400w HPS)bastard.

Good luck with growing i am far from the most experienced grower around but i have spent the last six months trying to learn (and succeeding 7oz first grow) everything about growing cannabis.

If it has an e40 fitting you could always add in a better growlight. You may need an MH to HPS conversion bulb depending on ballast.