Ceramic MH GE vs. Phillips

I switched over from 400w HPS to 400w CMH about a month ago. I have noticed an increase in trichomes in size and number, an earlier ripening time, and some otherworldly colors on my sugar leaves and hairs. I am going to switch my other HPS over to a CMH. The CMH I am currently using is a GE. I have read that the Phillips CMH has a better color spectrum than the GE. I also read that the GE has a higher lumen output, longer life, and produces more UVB. Has anyone tried the Phillips yet? I got a really good deal on the GE, and cant find a comparable deal on the Phillips, which I also read is being discontinued. Can anyone shed some light on this subject?

Yeah I love the allstart 330. This would be a great comparison grow of cmh's. Also the Philips bulbs have a quartz crystal coating. So they are protected if anything should happen to the bulb. They are rated to be in an open reflector (no glass) or bare bulb. The ge bulbs are not. Having glass prevents UV from getting through and cuts spectral output by 10% - 15%


good luck and happy growing

I am using the GE without glass

Ok, so the sales tactics and prices on this website seemed a little fishy...so I called and left messages 3 times and got no reply. Obviously, I did not do business with them. I have not been able to find any shop that sells the Phillips bulb along with a complete lighting system. I ordered a 150watt Phillips bulb from 1000bulbs to replace a hps bulb in a mini-sunburst system; the sales department assured me that it was compatible, but it was not, and I ended up paying $18 shipping to return a $25 item. Does anyone know where to get the Phillips CMH as part of a system, or where to get the bulbs from a reliable source? I have been getting my GEs from HTG for $189 shipping included, and they are excellent(the lamps AND the sales team), however I really want to try this side-by-side comparison.

Which Philips cmh? The allstarts run on mh or switchable magnetic ballasts. Not straight hps. The retro and master color whites run only on switchable magnetic ballasts. They say those 2 will run on straight hps. But they have issues when they do. Cmh does not run on digital or electronic ballasts except for the elite agro. That runs only on a 240v -270v.

I bought a mag ballast from growers house. Then got my allstart 330 from 1000bulbs.com

advanced tech lighting, home depot (online only),

150w Philips mh have been recalled

the allstarts, they only make a 205w (250wballast), 330w (400w ballast) , and 860w(1000w ballast). The retro white and master color. They only make a 250w and a 400w. Those have been discontinued. But some places still have them in stock

advanced tech lighting has the Philips elite agro 315w bulb and e ballast combo for $275.

green beams has elite agro too but a different ballast and mogul. 2 prong, not the e37 and vert hood too. But very pricey.

I just finished up a grow with a 1000w Phillips MH, 4000k color rating. Worked amazing compared to the last grow I did with a 400w HPS, way more trichomes and way more red hairs this time.

Hyroot. I just read your post. That explains a lot! no matter who I get on the phone from these big companies, none of them can properly explain it to me like you just did. Discount Hydroponics had never even heard of the CMH (although they did offer me a complete 400watt HPS for $99+shipping)! Why is there so little info out there on these? they have been around for a few years and they produce spectacular results! I finally gave up on the Phillips for now and ordered another GE complete from HTG for $189, shipping included. I just cant justify paying the extra $100+ for the sake of experimentation, and the GE Im currently running is doing SO GOOD. Im having to harvest a week earlier, and its throwing off my schedule, but that's a problem I can deal with .lol.

Dusty 82, what strain is this?

Most of the guys at dh don't know much. Ask to speak to Mario the general manager. The combo is good deal. Plus finding the bulb. I have to buy a new set up. My place was robbed over a month ago. I lost everything. I moved a few hours away from where I was. Now I got to buy a new CMH set up so...... I do vert so I'm debating bewteen CMH and cree led globes. CMH has more lumens per watt and more par and higher cri... The crees run half the watts total. They have a 10 year warranty.... Decisions....

dusty82 said:

I just finished up a grow with a 1000w Phillips MH, 4000k color rating. Worked amazing compared to the last grow I did with a 400w HPS, way more trichomes and way more red hairs this time.

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Talking ceramic metal halide......not just metal halide. Big difference.
Btw nice plants but I think u would of done better with a 1000w hps.

Rusty Trikes said:

Dusty 82, what strain is this?

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It's a Canadian Medical Strain, I can't remember the scientific name it was given (a bunch of number and letters), these were the last seeds from my bag and turned out way better than the last grow. Now I gotta find something new to try

bottletoke said:

Talking ceramic metal halide......not just metal halide. Big difference.
Btw nice plants but I think u would of done better with a 1000w hps.

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Didn't even notice that, thx. I just saw MH GE vs Philips

buy the hortilux blue 7200 k mh. best bulb you can buy in the world .http://monstergardens.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=14_15_98&product_id=2358

cmh has a ceramic arc tube and mh have a quartz or aluminum arc tube. The ceramic arc tube is more resistant to corrosion and has a better and more even distribution of light. Cmh lasts twice as long with less degrading than mh. Cmh runs 2-3 times cooler in temp than mh. All cmh has far more red and deep red ans has a higher cri rating than the hortilux blue. Also cost half as much and run less watts.

I was just in monstergardens yesterday and they have a little stock of the phillips master color retro whites still. not sure if they are shown online. About 5-6, maybe more. I know they don't make that version anymore so some CMH guys might be into it.
A CMH for those shitty little 150w hps would be nice. I have one I never use, but a cmh would make it useful.

I would trade my 600hps's for 400cmh's in a heart beat. It's about light(par µmols) not wattage, and there is more and better light with the CMH, plus it's pulling less wattage.

Oh sit, I forgot monster gardens even existed... Lol

Monster gardens doesn't have it on their site.

I found this one. All the reviews on the various review sites were all positive except for 2 and that was for replacement bulb for a Mitsubishi tv in 2010 and 2011

http://www.bulbamerica.com/philips-330w-130v-ed37-4000k-clear-energy-advantage-allstart-cdm-hid-light-bulb.html

hyroot said:

Monster gardens doesn't have it on their site.

I found this one. All the reviews on the various review sites were all positive except for 2 and that was for replacement bulb for a Mitsubishi tv in 2010 and 2011

http://www.bulbamerica.com/philips-330w-130v-ed37-4000k-clear-energy-advantage-allstart-cdm-hid-light-bulb.html

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Call and ask them and you might get a deal on them. They said they have had them for a while.

Weird there is so much trouble getting bulbs reliably. I guess no one has access to a good stock.