SeedKing

Am also mulling over the expense of supplementing limited spectrum CFLs in my unusually shallow (15") cabinet grow. Plant is ScrOGed so only 3 ft sq.

With cost being an issue, I'm hopin the following 150W conversion system will outperform a couple full spectrum florescent(s) in my situation.
Beauty is I can buy the MH ballast now, get the HPS conversion bulb for this grow; and buy the MH bulb next spring.

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Harddon just answered my question about going with the conversion bulb rather than go the dual-use (conversion) ballast route. Good one, H.

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The following links show good prices across usual range Wattages, plus a lot of good info.

Meanwhile sure you've seen that MH conversion bulbs also exist that go into HPS ballasts.
I will be asking sources whether HPS or MH conversion bulbs hold up best.

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Meanwhile: The 150W system I'm considering:
Plus a pic of my box as reference for smaller scale grows:


150W HPS Conversion Bulb
Uses 175W (M57) MH ballast. (defers cost of MH veg bulb till next grow)
Higher in blues than most HPS.
15,000 initial lumens.
$44.90
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics....products_id=87

MH 175W (M57) Ballast (for some reason the above 150W lamp wants a 175W ballast)
$49.00
http://www.hellolights.com/17unmagm57ba.html

Mogul Base / Socket
$29.00
Item Code: 61-61007
http://www.hellolights.com/methalparref.html