Growing Without HPS Light

[BoyNamedSue]

maybe a stupid question but is it possible?

like i said in another thread, im getting ready for my first indoor grow. 3-4 plants. im starting with 2 150w CFL's to veg and was going to switch to a 400w HPS that i have. well, i turn it on last night to check it out and somethings broken. its not exactly new and at this point, im not ready to drop $200-$300 to get a new one.

my question is are there any alternatives to HPS? maybe more fluorescent? or would i just be better off dropping the cash on a new HPS?

BoyNamedSue Reviewed by BoyNamedSue on 11-09-2005. Growing Without HPS Light maybe a stupid question but is it possible? like i said in another thread, im getting ready for my first indoor grow. 3-4 plants. im starting with 2 150w CFL's to veg and was going to switch to a 400w HPS that i have. well, i turn it on last night to check it out and somethings broken. its not exactly new and at this point, im not ready to drop $200-$300 to get a new one. my question is are there any alternatives to HPS? maybe more fluorescent? or would i just be better off dropping the Rating: 5

[snow owl]

How much would it cost u to buy 4 oz, verse the $300 on a light? 4 oz being conservative.

[lemonboy]

Have you taken a look at InsideSun or Maryland Hydroponics? Both are great companies with deals on cheap lights. If you really want to make an investment you're going to drop more coin but if you are satisfied with a budget unit and reflector I'd just get a new 400W HPS. You're probably going to spend just as much on high-output CFLs as they are trendy right now.

You can certainly grow without a HID, though. The heat output from CFLs is greater than equal wattage HIDs and they may end up being as expensive or even more expensive. It's probably also a slightly slower growing process with smaller flowers due to less efficient penetration and a far smaller high-lumen output field.

Either one is going to produce quality flowers once dialed-in but I think the better option is the HPS. Happy growing!

[BoyNamedSue]

i was looking at InsideSun.com and im thinking about ordering an Econo 400w hps. its only a hundred bucks. im just unsure about it because its a refurb. but it does have a 3 year warrantee.

[lemonboy]

I think they have a good reputation, especially lately. Any light may go bad at any time so I don't really see it as any bigger risk than buying new. Save the money with a refurb and get a good flowering bulb down the line.

Cheers mate.

[super420]

i was looking at InsideSun.com and im thinking about ordering an Econo 400w hps. its only a hundred bucks. im just unsure about it because its a refurb. but it does have a 3 year warrantee.

The 400w HPS that you mentioned works great. Just make sure you get a MH bulb with it too for vegetative growth, and save the HPS for flowering. :thumbsup:

[Psycho4Bud]

The 400w HPS that you mentioned works great. Just make sure you get a MH bulb with it too for vegetative growth, and save the HPS for flowering. :thumbsup:

Don't run that MH bulb in a HPS fixture! BAD combo!!! :smokin:

[Sentinel]

its an mh CONVERSION bulb, it works fine in the same ballast.

[indicloset]

You should bring your light to a hydroponics store, they could most likly fix it for a lot cheaper than a new light. It could just be something simple.Just bring it in and see what they think, see if they will give you an estimate first.

[BoyNamedSue]

You should bring your light to a hydroponics store, they could most likly fix it for a lot cheaper than a new light. It could just be something simple.Just bring it in and see what they think, see if they will give you an estimate first.

thats what i wanted to do but im away at college and out here id be lucky just to find a basic gardening place let alone someone who could diagnose and fix an HPS.

i ordered the 400w econo hps from insidesun. i was thinking about getting the MH conversion bulb for vegging like super420 suggested but ive got one 150w CFL for each plant and two 60w CFL's to supplement light under the leaves so i think that should be fine for vegging.