HELP! Bought 35w HPS for $15

Hey there guys,

I have a few questions. Lemme start off w/ a quick run-down of my setup--a link to my grow is in my signature.

I have a 7.5x16x24" PC case that I have a 50w LED panel, a 13w LED panel, a 42w warm CFL, and 3 x 26w cool CFLs. I have plenty of very quiet ventilation and intake due to 3 x 80mm fans and 1 x 120mm fans. My total exhaust is over 110 CFM. I'm running a scrog setup with self-watering pots and am growing Amnesia Lemon and White Dwarf.

Ok, so now to the chase I was perusing craigslist and came across a 35w HPS security light for $15. I bought it. I plan to add it to my setup and potentially reduce the number of CFLs in there and get some HPS power. Now, my question.s.

Has anyone grown with a 35w HPS? Heat concerns? Quality of grow? Good power? How far away from the plants? Anything I should know?

I've looked and looked in the forums but I haven't found any info on this topic.


best,

secretforestgarden

It should give you about 7000 lumen if you keep it four inches from the plant. It doesn't sound worth it really. What's stopping you from investing in a higher wattage HPS?

depending on the bulb it's probably between 4060 and 4900 lumens. seems you could replace your 3 26w cfls with it though there would be a change in the color. i imagine it would penetrate further than the cfls which would also lessen the work involved with light moving. as far as heat concerns, i doubt many people has a similar set up with such a low wattage hps. i say give it a shot, for flower if nothing else, just keep an eye on the heat. good luck.

It should give you about 7000 lumen if you keep it four inches from the plant. It doesn't sound worth it really. What's stopping you from investing in a higher wattage HPS?

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I'm not investing in a higher wattage HPS because I'm limited to this stealth PC grow and I don't wanna spend many more bucks--I've already spent hundreds on my setup and seeds. I wasn't going to add HPS at all but I happened to find this 35w system for $15 on craigslist. I figured it might be nice with the LEDs and the CFLs. I'd probably run just a few cool 26w CFLs if I add the HPS.

The 35w HPS is carries a 2250 lumen rating. Remember, I'm only running about a .83 square foot setup for these two little plants in this box. My total cubic feet is 1.66.

Sorry I didn't realise it was a PC stealth grow. You'll have enough light but there could be potential heat issues.

Usually the lower wattage sodium bulbs are Low Pressure Sodium (SOX) and not High Pressure Sodium (SON). If you look at the output they are very unusual as they emit all their light in a single frequency, normally either 1950K or 2100K IIRC. This is why I never tried them in my case as they are a good way off the 2700K so the plants can't use much of the light.
Remember also that sodium bulbs need changing pretty regularly, so that bulb may be past it's sell by date. May be worth investing in a new one if you decide to try it.

v12xjs said:

Usually the lower wattage sodium bulbs are Low Pressure Sodium (SOX) and not High Pressure Sodium (SON). If you look at the output they are very unusual as they emit all their light in a single frequency, normally either 1950K or 2100K IIRC. This is why I never tried them in my case as they are a good way off the 2700K so the plants can't use much of the light.
Remember also that sodium bulbs need changing pretty regularly, so that bulb may be past it's sell by date. May be worth investing in a new one if you decide to try it.

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It's an actual high pressure sodium.

buttery420 said:

Sorry I didn't realise it was a PC stealth grow. You'll have enough light but there could be potential heat issues.

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I have a wireless thermometer I have to pick up at the post office. I'll put it in there after I add the HPS and post the temp and pics.

Thanks for your help guys!

I used a 35 watt HPS in my first grow...

I would use it in place of a same watt CFL anyday...

Watt for watt HPS gives you more, better light/buds...

Now days I flower with 4x 600 watt HPS

GypsyBush said:

I used a 35 watt HPS in my first grow...

I would use it in place of a same watt CFL anyday...

Watt for watt HPS gives you more, better light/buds...

Now days I flower with 4x 600 watt HPS

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Yeah, I'm definitely liking it in this PC stealth grow. It works well with LED and CFL supplements. I wish I had the space, money, and privacy to pull off a 2400w grow. How do u pull off that much power consumption without drawing attention to your energy bill?

secretforestgarden said:

Yeah, I'm definitely liking it in this PC stealth grow. It works well with LED and CFL supplements. I wish I had the space, money, and privacy to pull off a 2400w grow. How do u pull off that much power consumption without drawing attention to your energy bill?

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2400w ain't shit... I just pay my bill on time..

But I try to save elsewhere too...

My range is gas instead of electric...

I do not use a clothes dryer...

I turn lights off around the house...

I do not use the baseboard heaters.. which are 2500w EACH,one per room in the house...

But the biggest thing is to pay your bill on time... The electric companies WANT you to use lots of power.. so you PAY FOR IT!!!

GypsyBush said:

2400w ain't shit... I just pay my bill on time..

But I try to save elsewhere too...

My range is gas instead of electric...

I do not use a clothes dryer...

I turn lights off around the house...

I do not use the baseboard heaters.. which are 2500w EACH,one per room in the house...

But the biggest thing is to pay your bill on time... The electric companies WANT you to use lots of power.. so you PAY FOR IT!!!

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Good points. I'm lucky enough to be in a fraternity where our electric bill already fluctuates like mad already. I'm not pullin' more than 150w anyway. Maybe when I'm in grad school or working I can get a full-blown HPS system. But then again, maybe LED and plasma will be dope by then. Regardless, I think HPS is here to stay. Thanks for the info.

Have been using the HPS for awhile now. It works excellently!

Is this thread still alive ??? I only ask cos I am in the mood to do a 'Stealth-PC-Grow/box' too... I am trying to decide between a 35W HPS and 70W HPS.. I plan to use a glass bake around tube as a DIY Cool-Tube.. but ultimatley want to keep the ultra small grow space as cool as possible.. with as much HID light as possible but with minimal noise from fans, if anyone's done/doing this please reply with as much info/pics as possible etc etc... Cheers - STELTHY

bong hoger said:

I dont know about any 35w HPS. I keep it real 400w hps.

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i keep it realer..600w

damn, this thread started back in jan....lol.....

Lol I use 730W .. But I am interested in doing a PC build in my spare time just for a laugh but still want it to be HID based - STELTHY

good luck buddy, i have not seen a small hid setup like your talking about.....personally i cant even see how its possible to grow in a computer box...such a small small area....but people some how do it........but may the force be with you friend