Skip the CFL's: The $20 150w complete HPS with ballast and bulb Link
- Thread starter OregonMeds
- Start date
egredsox04
Active Member
this is interesting
OregonMeds
Well-Known Member
You're welcome. It's not a rip off plenty of people have bought this already, it's been this price for months now. It just happens to be the best bargain out there in a small light but it's real.
I heard before somewhere that plants can't use light that doesn't come through the top of the leaf, light from the bottom up doesn't work, but have not verified that anywhere.
You might want to hang the light in the middle of the plants so it is shining down on the lower leaves and not up if that actually is true.
I heard before somewhere that plants can't use light that doesn't come through the top of the leaf, light from the bottom up doesn't work, but have not verified that anywhere.
You might want to hang the light in the middle of the plants so it is shining down on the lower leaves and not up if that actually is true.
jimdandy
Well-Known Member
Before I say this I hope I do not offend anyone. If you want to grow premium weed BUY A REAL LIGHT!! I know that many have great cfl grows, hell I started one myself. But if you shop around you can get a 150 for under 100 dollars. I know some are on a budget but by the time u get enough cfl's for a proper grow, you will have spent a good deal. I have eight 42 watters, they were around 8-9 bucks per. 1700 lumens each. That is 13600 if all are on. And you better believe there will be some heat. Yes you can put them close to the plants but that many lights creates heat. One 150hps= 16000 lumens!!!
So when it is all said and done what do u think is best?
Sun System® HPS 150 Grow Light Fixture from Growco Indoor Garden Supply
So when it is all said and done what do u think is best?
Sun System® HPS 150 Grow Light Fixture from Growco Indoor Garden Supply
Kludge
Well-Known Member
A photon is a photon is a photon. It doesn't mater what direction it comes from. It may be less efficient coming from the bottom of the leaf because some light will be blocked, but that's not why I want to use it. I want it to fill in the light on the lower branches where the upper branches block them.
Kludge
Well-Known Member
I agree you should buy a good light, it makes a world of difference. But I think these would make great dark spot fillers. Like you have a spot that's just not getting enough light penetration you could put one of these there.
OregonMeds
Well-Known Member
There's not much difference between this $20 light and the $100 Sun Systems 150 light listed above.
1000 lumens and maybe pennies more efficiency for $80 difference. It could be this same light and same type ballast in that thing, looks like it might be.
Gotta say I'd always go for the $20 one over the other, and if you have that kind of money it could buy a much larger light or other stuff anyway not a 150w.
1000 lumens and maybe pennies more efficiency for $80 difference. It could be this same light and same type ballast in that thing, looks like it might be.
Gotta say I'd always go for the $20 one over the other, and if you have that kind of money it could buy a much larger light or other stuff anyway not a 150w.
ZaVe
Active Member
Alright, Since no one else really posted much about it...
Would you be able to take off the metal housing and glass dome that's over the light bulb?
If so could you make a reflector box out of aluminum or sheet metal, and have it mounted side ways? Make a rectangle box, with the light in the side, middle? So it's almost set up like a regular HPS light? I cant see the light efficiently working with the glass dome over it.
I'm probably going to set up 2 of these in my grow room (18ft x 6.5ft).
Seriously though... 2 HPS Bulb+setup, AND extra bulb = $58.04 INCLUDING shipping.. thats amazing.
Would you be able to take off the metal housing and glass dome that's over the light bulb?
If so could you make a reflector box out of aluminum or sheet metal, and have it mounted side ways? Make a rectangle box, with the light in the side, middle? So it's almost set up like a regular HPS light? I cant see the light efficiently working with the glass dome over it.
I'm probably going to set up 2 of these in my grow room (18ft x 6.5ft).
Seriously though... 2 HPS Bulb+setup, AND extra bulb = $58.04 INCLUDING shipping.. thats amazing.
Kludge
Well-Known Member
The housing might be a little difficult to take apart because it's meant to be rugged but let us know how it goes. I'm going to use them just as they are but placed on a pot on the floor so it's at the same height as the lower branches. An extra 15,000 lumen of fill light for $20 is a steal.
Kludge
Well-Known Member
Just get a regular metal floor fan and blow it through a diffuser so your plants don't get the full brunt of the air. That should be plenty of cooling for 150's.
Get a fan like this:
20" High Velocity Floor Fan
You can get the cheaper ones, the ones thats $35, but just make sure it's all metal and remember you get what you pay for. The $35 one might work great for a year but the $70 one might work great for 10 years.
That fan will provide some air flow but even at the lowest setting it's too strong so you need to break up the airflow by using some lattice; something like this:
4' x 8' Decorative Treated Lattice Panel
If you can find the smaller size you won't have to cut it in half; I've never seen them not carry the smaller sized stuff so you should have no problem finding it.
Now for spot cooling for a small area or even for one of those 150's you could use one of these:
Honeywell Table Top Air Circulator Fan
So are those honeywell fans good? Please check out my thread, I have been having problems with high heat with around 8 cfls, 1/2" osb board built box, 250cfm exhaust and an intake. Have had it in both the closet, and garage and temps range 90-105. Im hoping with these HPS to build a cool tube and they will be all good. Thanks, alot.
-=4:20=-Guy
Well-Known Member
WHAT?
Hmm I don't even know what to say other than there are MANY different types of HPS Bulbs.
OregonMeds
Well-Known Member
I think he meant that any HPS bulb/fixture will grow, and grow well. He's right.
There are better more expensive bulbs, but you don't have to use them.
I'm glad you guys are finding this post useful. They come apart easily and yes the glass comes off and so does the safety grill thing.
There are better more expensive bulbs, but you don't have to use them.
I'm glad you guys are finding this post useful. They come apart easily and yes the glass comes off and so does the safety grill thing.
la9
Well-Known Member
You it did the job I needed it for and was one of the cheaper fans at the store, might have to do something about the noise because if anyone everycame over they always asked what was running. I had it screwed directly to a joist.
la9
Well-Known Member
Just like he said. people will argue that you need a grow bulb, but I always find the grow bulbs to be dimmer, and I've read you get about the same yield because you have the extra brightness, but there are those that will argue with you that you are wrong. I just say grow and be happy.
I'm thinking about buying on of these $20 lights so I can do a DIY cool tube for it, should be simple since the glass is already included.
starlightfury
Active Member
I'm currently vegging 13 plants (2 white widow, 3 purple kush, 2 hindu skunk, and 6 shiva skunk) and 4 cuttings I just took today under about 500W of cfls. About 80% of the lights are 5000-6500k, the rest are 2700k until flowering where I already have the bulbs to increase the wattage to about 625W. I've been vegging these for two weeks now as they were purchased as clones from a dispensery (i'm a mmj patient). I'm using mostly 2 gal pots and a few 3 gals with b'cuzz coco fiber and fox farm grow and bloom. This is my first grow and I made the noob mistake of choosing an all-cfl grow from what I gather the more I research and hear about cfls producing light airy buds.
Right now my plants (the PKs are noticably more bushy and squat being heavy indicas) are all around the 10-13 inch range.
My question is two-fold:
Firstly, would it be a wise choice to buy one or two of these HPS lights with the intention of producing more dense resin-laden buds? Would just one of these lights make a difference in a grow area of about 10sqft? If I did this I would also keep some or most of the cfls. The wiring and such is not an issue for me.
Secondly, because I am growing in a closet (its a small walk-in closet with its own door in my bedroom) and am a tenant of a landlord that absolutely dissapproves of marijuana for all uses, any sort of ventilation modifications to the closet, window, room, etc are not a possibility (long story short, someone already tried growing at my place a few years ago and the landlord found out from a neighbor noticing ventilation coming from the window and fucked them real bad). I've got odor covered for now. That being said, how much additional cooling would these particular lights require without any ventilation beyond oscillating and table fans? Right now I just have one oscillating fan and it keeps the temps fine. Would it even be possible to have maybe 3-400W of cfls running with one or two of these lights and still keep the temps reasonable with just regular fans?
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Ive already shelled out a decent amount of money for this grow, but if those out there with greater experience than myself think it would be a worthy investment, I'm willing to spend extra on these lights. Thank you in advance.
Right now my plants (the PKs are noticably more bushy and squat being heavy indicas) are all around the 10-13 inch range.
My question is two-fold:
Firstly, would it be a wise choice to buy one or two of these HPS lights with the intention of producing more dense resin-laden buds? Would just one of these lights make a difference in a grow area of about 10sqft? If I did this I would also keep some or most of the cfls. The wiring and such is not an issue for me.
Secondly, because I am growing in a closet (its a small walk-in closet with its own door in my bedroom) and am a tenant of a landlord that absolutely dissapproves of marijuana for all uses, any sort of ventilation modifications to the closet, window, room, etc are not a possibility (long story short, someone already tried growing at my place a few years ago and the landlord found out from a neighbor noticing ventilation coming from the window and fucked them real bad). I've got odor covered for now. That being said, how much additional cooling would these particular lights require without any ventilation beyond oscillating and table fans? Right now I just have one oscillating fan and it keeps the temps fine. Would it even be possible to have maybe 3-400W of cfls running with one or two of these lights and still keep the temps reasonable with just regular fans?
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Ive already shelled out a decent amount of money for this grow, but if those out there with greater experience than myself think it would be a worthy investment, I'm willing to spend extra on these lights. Thank you in advance.