been looking into buying one.
im looking for a 400w hps with reflector,ballast and bulb. so far ive seen one for £85. i think thats including shipping.
400w Dutch Pro Grow Light: Basement Lighting Hydroponics and Plant Grow Lights
whats the difference in the grolux and sunmaster bulbs? sunmaster is an extra £5????? why? looks like they both do the same job.
if any1 has seen a better deal or thinks that this is a good deal then let me know where u got urs from!
cheers
Depends on how rescourceful u r. I called around and found a contractor who was demolishing an old manufacturing plant/warehouse. I bought 6 MH, and 6 HPS all 400w.
If you can find such a place, most all interior lighting is going to be MH, and exterior lighting will be HPS. I paid $40 US each for mine (Bulbs and parabolic reflectors incl.). You will then have to wire a plug onto it, and separate the reflector/socket from the ballast, but thats no problem.
As far as bulbs go, HPS is HPS, and MH is MH. I really dont believe that there is a big difference between BRANDS of bulbs. I bought a "conversion" bulb, (An HPS with an additional element for MH) and I found it worthless due to the loss of lumens. There are some out there that do not sacrifice light (I beleive the SonAgro 430w and the GE Chroma-fit), but I've never used them.
I have been told that industrial lighting isn't very good. Thats total horseshit. My
ONLY regret is that I got 400w units. In looking back, I'd rather they be 600w, but only 400w was avail, and for what I paid I am happy with them. I am getting some great sized buds on my first grow.
Don't get
TOO hung up on commercialism, or brand names. There are only a few manufacturers of ballasts. These "Grow Shop" name brands are only assembled by them, not made by them. My "industrial lights" aren't in a shiny blue box, but fuck it, they work just as well.
400w of HPS is the same light, no matter who made the bulb. Sylvania, GE, Ushio, only difference is price. As I said, there are some bulbs out there that combine the spectrums of both MH and HPS, but the Ushio brand bulb I got was significantly less lumens than a straight HPS or MH. The Son Agro, and GE bulbs are supposed to be as bright.
Hope this helps.
TLP