250w hps, homemade horizontal reflector?

Theowl

Theowl

Well-Known Member
So, I have 2 250w hps's, I got them when they remodeled a fish store(they were for the aquatic plants).
Here's my scenario: they came in a housing that is waterproof, the bulbs are vertically mounted in the housings(cylindrical). I'd like to take one apart and remount everything horizontally. I don't/won't have the currency to make a purchase of a new reflector, but I could swing the dollar store or something..

Any thoughts, opinions, or ideas are(as always) greatly appreciated.

Should I just leave them alone, or continue with this endeavor?
The one I'm working with ATM, I have already cut a hole in the top for a pc fan exhaust. They have a glass and rubber seal at the bottom(where the light shines), and if I remove the rubber seal it will suck air from the grow cab. I'll try and get pics up soon, I finally gots a computer, lol.

Well folks let me know how/what ya think on this, is it worth it for me to reformat the light?
 
hoagtech

hoagtech

Well-Known Member
I fit was me, I would remove the glass, then the socket, pull an extension cord out and wire the socket to the end of the extension cord and "dangle" a bulb over your plants. It seems primitive, but its one of the most effective ways of lighting your plants. you get 360 degree lighting coverage by dropping your light between your plants and no reflector behind it to catch and buildup heat, and no glass that some believe blaocks out beneficial UVb's.
 
Theowl

Theowl

Well-Known Member
Yeah I thought about that, but I could just keep it as is and vent the heat through the housing making it a self contained/cooled apparatus. But I'd like more space, I'm working small these days.
Battery dying, I'll get pics up in the am to show what I'm currently working with.
 
Theowl

Theowl

Well-Known Member
ok,after wayyy too long, i've finally taken care of my lighting situation.
life just got in the way, ya know?
i did decide to go verticle with the bulb, never tried this before hope it doesnt do me wrong!
 
artofit

artofit

Member
Theowl said:
So, I have 2 250w hps's, I got them when they remodeled a fish store(they were for the aquatic plants).
Here's my scenario: they came in a housing that is waterproof, the bulbs are vertically mounted in the housings(cylindrical). I'd like to take one apart and remount everything horizontally. I don't/won't have the currency to make a purchase of a new reflector, but I could swing the dollar store or something..

Any thoughts, opinions, or ideas are(as always) greatly appreciated.

Should I just leave them alone, or continue with this endeavor?
The one I'm working with ATM, I have already cut a hole in the top for a pc fan exhaust. They have a glass and rubber seal at the bottom(where the light shines), and if I remove the rubber seal it will suck air from the grow cab. I'll try and get pics up soon, I finally gots a computer, lol.

Well folks let me know how/what ya think on this, is it worth it for me to reformat the light?
Click to expand...
:leaf:Hey Owl buddy. I have wasted much time and $ on this way of lighting and with what I had available. But the fluorescent lighting just isn't sufficient. So, I say don't waste your time, money and good seeds with insufficient lighting system. If you have got into it, buy, rent, rob or borrow a high pressure sodium or metal halide lighting over your plants after the tender age of 1 month old or earlier. A 200W or 250W compact fluorescent bulb (7000 lumens) in a home made Mylar reflector (you can use a "space blanket" and couple of coat hangers to fashion a suitable reflector for this set up) would do good for the early grow stage. The bulb should be a day light range (6000K or about). Using two bulbs will give you about 14000 lumens which is about 1/2 way there as far as lighting is concerned. This is according to what I have learned with much sweat blood and tears. Good luck.:sleep:
 
Theowl

Theowl

Well-Known Member
so heres what im working with, before and after remodeling
riu 003.jpgriu 005.jpgriu 008.jpg
dont worry, i got all the wires tucked and taped!riu 009.jpg
 
Theowl

Theowl

Well-Known Member
artofit said:
:leaf:Hey Owl buddy. I have wasted much time and $ on this way of lighting and with what I had available. But the fluorescent lighting just isn't sufficient. So, I say don't waste your time, money and good seeds with insufficient lighting system. If you have got into it, buy, rent, rob or borrow a high pressure sodium or metal halide lighting over your plants after the tender age of 1 month old or earlier. A 200W or 250W compact fluorescent bulb (7000 lumens) in a home made Mylar reflector (you can use a "space blanket" and couple of coat hangers to fashion a suitable reflector for this set up) would do good for the early grow stage. The bulb should be a day light range (6000K or about). Using two bulbs will give you about 14000 lumens which is about 1/2 way there as far as lighting is concerned. This is according to what I have learned with much sweat blood and tears. Good luck.:sleep:
Click to expand...
yes, thats what im running, a 250w hps.;-) it even says so in the quote there.
ive yet to put up the reflectors and walls, but im doing that in a minute.
i think i will keep the 300w equiv. cfl(68w actual) in the cab to run when it gets extra bushy in there.
 
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