lighting question????

I'm using a Hydrofarm SG convertible ballast with a Sunpulse Metal Halide bulb in the HPS position.This is my 1st run and all seems well,but was wondering if im cutting myself short by not using a HPS bulb?

thanks in advanced.

if ur in veg u want the mh but during flowering ur gonna want the hps i personally use both during veg and flowering ...

Am I right in thinking I can use any 1000 watt hps bulb in my 1000 watt Hydrofarm SG Ballast

Looking at a Hortilux 1000wwatt bulb

Yes you can use any hps bulb as long its the same wattage the ballast supports, make sure your metal halide is a " metal halide conversion bulb" not just regular "metal halide" or you run the risk of fire form what i've read. Also check how many amps your breaker switches can handle before adding new equipment. mhc bulbs are best for veg because it mimics spring and summer blueish color spectrum and hps are better for flower due to more yellow and orange light spectrums mimicing harvest season colors that plants experience in the wilderness but both at the same time is closest to the full spectrum of the sun. hope this was helpfull

You mean a "SG Lite Ballast"? From the website:


Never used this ballast before, but if you using a MH bulb in there and it has a HPS/MH Switch, I would switch it to MH. Not sure of the issues it might cause having it on the wrong switch, but still.

And Yes, a 1000 watt ballast will run a 1000 watt bulb MH/HPS in your case, just use the right switch. Don't try a lesser wattage in there, just in case you were thinking about it.

http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=12461

DaZeD & CoNfUZeD said:

I'm using a Hydrofarm SG convertible ballast with a Sunpulse Metal Halide bulb in the HPS position.This is my 1st run and all seems well,but was wondering if im cutting myself short by not using a HPS bulb?

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That switch does not change spectrums if that is what you are asking. The switch should match the bulb. You can use MH all the way through but you wont get good results. Invest in an HPS bulb and change them out when its time to start flowering.

Ok guys.. thanks for the responses..I have sinced looked into this a little

I have a 1000watt Hydrofarm SG Convertible Lite ballast and I'm running a Sunpulse 3k(intedned for flowering??) MH Bulb.The Ballast is on the HPS mode and I have been running it this way for a few months.Im wondering if "A" this is safe,and "B" am I cutting myself short by using this bulb and not something like a Hortilux HPS.
I dont think I am in any danger just because how long I have been running it,and who suggested this setup.The thing that sucks is I'm no longer in contact with the person who did the suggesting.


heres a pic of whats going on..this is day #23 of flower

View attachment 2739482

HPS for Flowering
MH for Veg

MH Switch for MH Bulb
HPS Switch for HPS Bulb

Maybe the switch being wrong does not effect much - Not sure, but it's there for a reason. You'll get better results with an HPS bulb for flowering because of the spectrum differences, but I have read that running a MH without the glass (if the heat is not too high - glass blocks UVB) can give decent bud production for the last 2 weeks of flowering - never tried it myself though, the heat is just too high for my setup.

Dude I just told you. If you run a MH bulb with a ballast switched to HPS you are risking burning out your ballast or bulb. Switch into proper position or get an HPS bulb.

also, get a second light. both kinds of light are better for both stages.

you can burn your house down bub thats why they have different switches for different bulbs! you can be "not worried" about it all you want man but if your house catches fire when your sleeping your fucked!

PuffinTuff420 said:

you can burn your house down bub thats why they have different switches for different bulbs! you can be "not worried" about it all you want man but if your house catches fire when your sleeping your fucked!

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I hear what your saying.I just don't understand why this person would intentionally tell me to put my family in danger.He without question,knows better.Either way I turned it off,and Im waiting for the bulb to cool to sitch it to the MH Setting.

Now as far as the bulb is concerned,Even though its a 3k bulb,I would still be better off with a HPS?I just ordered one,but it wont be here for a few days obviously.