Are all HID ballasts about the same?

[Sunny Bakes]

So I might be buying this 600. Watt ballast and hood on amazon. It doesn't say how many lumens it's going to put out. So are all ballasts about the same about lumen output? I just want to be sure before I purchase it, so I thought I'd ask the experts

 

[geekmike]

I got one of those off amazon, broke in less than 6 months. Just buy everything separate. It will be a bit more but you will save in the long run.

 

[Sunny Bakes]

If I buy everything from my grow shop, it's going to cost twice as much. But I will do that if the online buy isn't worth it. I need something that will reward me for years to come

 

[geekmike]

What kind of setup are you looking for? One where you veg and flower with a single light or will you have 2 areas to grow in?

 

[Sunny Bakes]

Same area. Same light

 

[geekmike]

Quantum Ballast:
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Watt-Dimmable-Electronic-Ballast/dp/B002T0H24G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325225037&sr=8-1

Ushio Bulb:
http://www.amazon.com/Ushio-US5001670-600W-Super-HPS/dp/B003U4Y0OU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1325225273&sr=1-1


Find a good hood and you are set

 

[geekmike]

Don't forget about venting.

 

[Dizzle Frost]

deff not all the same....id go with a Galaxy , Lumatec ..etc something along those lines

my galaxy is built like a green tank lol

 

[Sunny Bakes]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00547SMLI/ref=mp_s_a_20?qid=1325221824&sr=8-20


Check it out. What do u think?

 

[geekmike]

I would go a different direction... you are going to get a cheap hood, bulb and ballast. These are all things you would like to last for multiple grows. Spend the extra 60.00 and get the good stuff.


That Ushio & Galaxy are great together. Pick up a hood on Craigslist or ebay.

 

[Dizzle Frost]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00547SMLI/ref=mp_s_a_20?qid=1325221824&sr=8-20


Check it out. What do u think?

it looks liek a Lumatek copy to me...prolly cheaply built as well. Lumen output is gonna be your bulb

IMHO a ballast/bulb should be decent, no sense in half assing your main tools

 

[PJ Diaz]

Quantum Ballast:
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Watt-Dimmable-Electronic-Ballast/dp/B002T0H24G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325225037&sr=8-1

Ushio Bulb:
http://www.amazon.com/Ushio-US5001670-600W-Super-HPS/dp/B003U4Y0OU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1325225273&sr=1-1


Find a good hood and you are set

You can get those for about the same price from a legit grow shop. My local hydro shop matches online prices: http://www.ehydroponics.com

 

[Sunny Bakes]

Alright. Thanks for the info. That's why I asked. I'll be going to my grow shop now

 

[geekmike]

I have a nice big Magnetic Ballast... if you can spare the space and deal with the weight they are nice and quiet and mine is never more than warm to the touch.