Are either of these HPS systems worth even using (for the money)?

[happymedicine]

There are two HPS systems I am looking at on ebay. I have read a lot on this forum about how ebay has only crap for sale.

So, are these light systems crap? Would either of them be suitable (and worth their price) to grow a 4'x2' screen of green/sea of green? Could I use a 250w setup instead? I may use 48" dual fluoro fixtures for side lighting as well? Ebay links to the two systems are on the bottom.

OR is there an online store that I can go to in order to get all the parts I need (ballast/reflector/bulb), separately, for a good amount cheaper than a boxed full system? Thanks!

400 WATT HPS DIGITAL GROW LIGHT SYSTEM 400W SUN LAMP CE - eBay (item 370424397971 end time Aug-31-10 21:06:06 PDT)

Switchable 400 watt HPS & Metal Halide Grow Light mh w - eBay (item 270624074153 end time Sep-05-10 20:00:15 PDT)

happymedicine Reviewed by happymedicine on 08-31-2010. Are either of these HPS systems worth even using (for the money)? There are two HPS systems I am looking at on ebay. I have read a lot on this forum about how ebay has only crap for sale. So, are these light systems crap? Would either of them be suitable (and worth their price) to grow a 4'x2' screen of green/sea of green? Could I use a 250w setup instead? I may use 48" dual fluoro fixtures for side lighting as well? Ebay links to the two systems are on the bottom. OR is there an online store that I can go to in order to get all the parts I need Rating: 5

[budlover13]

Looks like fair prices to me. I'm currently growing fluoro, but looking @ HPS. I found High Tech Garden Supply(htgsupply.com). I don't know enought to give an opinion though. I've been told by friends that if you're not paying $1 per watt for your light, your light sucks. Anyone have an opinion on this?

[cigarettes42]

they both will work but by guessing your grow dimensions (closet?)your going to need an air cooled hood. batwing reflectors will heat it up without the assist of airconditioning or aircooled hood. also there is a bunch of crap sold on ebay. those that you listed hasn't told me if there is a warranty or not, i would be worried that 2 months later that the ballast crap out and your stuck with a paper weight. also hightechgarden supply on ebay is crap too. its chinese junk that you will end up buying better quality stuff later. i bought a hood from them and 2 years the inside discolored. with that space i would get two 250watt aircooled lights!

[happymedicine]

they both will work but by guessing your grow dimensions (closet?)your going to need an air cooled hood. batwing reflectors will heat it up without the assist of airconditioning or aircooled hood. also there is a bunch of crap sold on ebay. those that you listed hasn't told me if there is a warranty or not, i would be worried that 2 months later that the ballast crap out and your stuck with a paper weight. also hightechgarden supply on ebay is crap too. its chinese junk that you will end up buying better quality stuff later. i bought a hood from them and 2 years the inside discolored. with that space i would get two 250watt aircooled lights!

I am actually going to build a cabinet in my basement (I think we are the only house in California with a basement, so I am going to utilize it!). I can take some of the ceiling panels off and run cooling duct, through one of the houses lower vents(at ground level), directly from outside. I can exhaust into the basement and let the air flow out the door (which goes directly outside). I was going to do my whole basement up, and make separate veg, flower and clone rooms, but that would require more money than I want to put out now.

I just need something that is efficient on electricity and useable light production. Cooling, humidity, etc, will be easy to control as I have a lot of space to work with. I am really just looking for Lights: cheap, and efficient for growing, is all I care about at this point. I am not looking to profit from these grows. i just basically want to make a perpetual grow so I don't have to waste money on other people's product that I can grow myself (I am 215).

[cigarettes42]

I've been told by friends that if you're not paying $1 per watt for your light, your light sucks. Anyone have an opinion on this?

not really. a 1000watt setup would be ridiculous if it were a grand. prices for lumatek ballast with hood and cord, hortilux bulb: 600watt = around $400, 1000w = around $500. they run cool and quiet and more electricity efficient than traditional magnetic ballasts and put out more lumens with a soft start so it is better on bulb life

[redbud60]

I have had very good experience with HTG Supply. I am using thier 400 watt grow lights with MH conversion bulbs. No you don't get the "fancy" new magnetic ballasts, but they are still working the bugs out of those anyway. The ballast is well constructed, and with the 10ft lamp cord, I have the ballasts outside the grow room. I also was not happy with a pair of defective light hangers, they sent a new set immediately, didnt even want the other pair back.