Quote Originally Posted by Racerx
You use just a regular MH bulb with the digital system. Not a conversion bulb. The new digital ballasts use a microproccessor that allows them to run both types of bulbs. It also includes safeguards so that if your power goes out the light wont hot start immediatly. They maximize old bulbs as well.

But like I mentioned, because of the design, the digital ballasts will degrage an MH bulb faster. If you could get 3 grows out of a magnetic powered MH bulb, then you should expect 2 with a digital ballast. I replace bulbs every single grow (every 2 grows if maybe it was a short flowering and grow time) so thats not an issue for me.

That being said, I dont use MH. There really is no reason to. If you look at the absolute best/nicest grows around here or anywhere for that matter...youll find that 75% or more use HPS the entire grow. Some people claim HPS stretches in veg. Those people are using the wrong nutrients and leaving the lights too far away. I am not disagreeing that in the veg cycle the plant would ideally like a 6000k light (white/blue) because thats what the life cycle can best utilize at that time... But after growing for a few years and being around big time growers for 6-7+ years, I have never once been shown hard evidence that MH in veg produces more/better buds in the end. I know plenty of people that have run many experiements trying to find an advantage and its always been inconclusive. MH bulbs use more power and put off more heat as well. Therefore Ive never been convinced that the hassle and cost is anywhere near worth it.

Now, T5 fluros are a whole different bag of worms. I firmly believe that T5s can be a great tool for veg. They use less power and put off more lumens (although the lumens drop off drastically as you get farther from the lamp, hence requiring you to be only inches off the canopy). They also barely put out any heat. I use T5s for cloning and for the first couple weeks of veg. When the roots are established and there is new growth, I move them under the HPS. By this time they are strong enough to handle the far more intense light output and they blow up.

Ive been experimenting with a 400 watt MH for the last couple months and I can get more plants under my 6 T5 bulbs (4 footers) with tighter growth then I can under the 400 watt MH. They also seem to root a few days sooner under the T5 and my 400MH in my small closet requires air cooling whereas the T5s just need a 150cfm squirrel cage exhausting the closet itself with a passive intake.

Thanks again, Racerx...

The digital ballasts sound great, but I was particulary wanting to try out the Solarmax lamps.. ..both MH and HPS. The digitals will not consistantly ignite them as they take a great deal of voltage to get them started. Can't use Solarmax lamps with digital ballasts.. ..

The best warranty I've found in a 600 watt digital was 3/2 years, which is pretty good for the digitals, BUT the Hydrofarm Powerhouse ballast (The one I've got my eye on) has an 8 year warranty, and I want something that will last, so I'm gonna go with the Powerhouse remote, and use the Solarmax MH and HPS lamps. These lamps sound like they are perfect for growing. If I were to get a digital (one day) I would probably get the Lumatek; they sound terrific, man! I'm also using the T5's, but only a 4' 4 lamp model. I'm gonna start 10 plants, and the 4 lamp model should put out enough light for that many; at least until I can put them under the HID.

I am also going with the 600 watt now.. ..you convinced me it would be alright in that size room with the fan I'm getting. Plus, I know i can expect a bigger yield using one. :thumbsup:

I've already started getting the closet ready for my first grow. False wall, shelves for the Carbon filter, vents, and general cleaning/disinfecting. I'll take som pics of the before and after and put them in my grow log when the time comes.. ..

What's best to use on the floor of the room, man? It has a hard wood floor right now, but I really don't want to get it wet, haha! I'm thinking some kind of plastic sheeting?

Anyway, thanks again, man! You just earned some karma!


Junk~
JunkYard Reviewed by JunkYard on . 3 x 5 x 6 grow space (1000 watt HID) Will it work? I'm trying to decide on an HID light system for my room. I was going to use a 600 watt hps with a mh conversion bulb, (I was dead set on it, actually) then I found a great deal on a 1000watt cool tube system with switchable ballast. Now I'm worried about heat issues with this system, as I will be pulling air from the grow room and through the cool tube instead of from a cooler source. (outside room) I'm planing on using a 6" 449 cfm vortex fan, and a 400 cfm rated carbon scrubber with this. Rating: 5