Using HPS from germination

[Joker52]

ah yes, ok. I'm gonna check out "buds for less". Maybe i'll be able to save some money b4 splurging on equiptment.

 

[email468]

ah yes, ok. I'm gonna check out "buds for less". Maybe i'll be able to save some money b4 splurging on equiptment.

a very wise decision (one i wish i would have made).

 

[ceestyle]

mrX : I think the 2 x 80W CFL + 150W HPS will be your best option. The CFLs are great for veg and supplemental light, but a stronger source of the reds as produced by the HPS is just the best for flowering by far.

the 26W are so weak that it's just a waste of time. For a couple plants, you could probably get away with 4x42W as long as you don't plant on vegging them forever. i ran a similar setup with 6x42W, but that's because I ended up budding a couple intended mothers.

anyway, the 150W should kick out about 16k lumens, which with the 4X2700K fluoros you're looking at almost 27k lumens. the great part about having the fluoros for flowering is that because your HPS is not going to be overpowering, the wider spectrum will prevent them from getting leggy.

i assume you're in a small space, so the 150W will also be much cooler than a larger HPS, so is probably your best in terms of optimizing heat/light.

 

[ceestyle]

many posts while I was writing -- it takes an exhorbitant amount of CFL light to produce large, tight buds.

 

[email468]

many posts while I was writing -- it takes an exhorbitant amount of CFL light to produce large, tight buds.

i used to think this but then i started seeing some CFL grows that were very impressive - admittedly i'm no expert but i couldn't tell the difference. And for someone growing a couple plants in a closet, i'm betting they don't care if the buds are perfectly nice and tight.

and this is coming from someone who uses a total of a 1000w of HID lighting.

 

[mrXgreenthumbX]

would i be imorest for my first grow to use some CFL'S for veg and a mix of a 70W hps and 4 CFL's for flower?

would that be alright for 2 plants?

 

[email468]

i think we all agree that if you can afford the HPS and can ventilate the heat get as much HPS as you can afford and supplement with CFLs.

 

[ceestyle]

yeah. the thing is also that the difference between <6K from a 70W and 16k from a 150W is absolutely huge for a very very modest difference in price. It's also a lot harder to find quality bulbs for 70W than it is for 150W, if you wanted MH conversion bulbs for veg, for example.

 

[Joker52]

arn't hps lights bulky though. THat was one of my problems was that i was looking at systems that could not fit in my closet. They were also around 250 bucks. Can u point me to a good low cost maybe 250 watt hps system? i probably have the skills but not the patience to make one.

 

[ceestyle]

unfortunately, the thing with smaller units, generally 150W and less, are hard to find as separate units, which you want for a small space. Ideally, you will have your ballast separate so it a) doesn't take up valuable grow space and b) the majority of the heat production (from the ballast) occurs outside your climate-controlled area. The bulb will produce heat, and that is why for a small space you want the least power you can get away with, if you don't want to drop a lot of change for cooling.

250W remotes are easy to find, and spending a little more on a digital is worth it if you have it (~130 or so for a nice unit). 150s, I'm finding, require wiring your own or building a lamp extension to a hood unit, assuming is has a long-throw capacitor. You can get ignitor, cap, and ballast for ~$30 or so on ebay, but you have to either buy a wired socket or make your own. Bulbs are cheap.

 

[mrXgreenthumbX]

70W HPS Sylvania EPA Compliant Lamp @ Businesslights.com
thats a site to get 70w HPS at.

would 3x 4' fluoros work all the way thro with alright results?

 

[ceestyle]

you will have to rig that thing if you want, but if you want to go that route, look up the 175W regent at ace. it's worth the few extra dollars.

if you decide to do that, make sure to either know what you're doing with wiring and/or buy a rated extension socket. mistakes here are what burn down houses.

 

[mrXgreenthumbX]

so whats the cheapest i could get for a light setup to grow 2 small plants?

 

[capncash]

i have a cheap 250 hps sell you for $100

 

[mrXgreenthumbX]

really?
im REEEEAAAAALLLLYYY timmid about buying from other growers.
how do i know your not a cop?
if u sent it to me we would have each others adresses

 

[email468]

i think buying and selling are verboten on the site - but could be mistaken. might want to double-check the rules before engaging in any transactions though.

 

[mrXgreenthumbX]

alright what all would it come with?????

 

[mrXgreenthumbX]

Anyone Know If You Get Flower With Fluoro Tubes And Get Alright Results???

(maybe A Half Ounce Per Plant)

 

[capncash]

I used it to grow tomatoe plants. purchasing a light isnt a crime

 

[ceestyle]

you can grow great tomatoes under light that grows crap weed.