MH to HPS conversion bulb

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lovelandbmxrider

Member
So I'm just starting to grow and I already have a 250w MH ballast and reflector. Right now I'm only growing two plants at a time. Right now I'm using cfl's 230w total, what I would like to do on my next grow is to use the mh for veg and hps for flowering, but I don't want to buy a new ballast if I don't have to. I can only find a few conversion bulbs does anyone have any experience with these bulbs? Any recommendations would help.
 
Brushog

Brushog

Active Member
Hortilux make a mh to HPS conversion bulb. They are called hortilux ace conversion bulbs. About 120 dollars. +rep for that answer.
 
BleedsGreen

BleedsGreen

Well-Known Member
I have never been a fan of conversion bulbs, my opinion is get a good digital ballast that will run either MH or HPS.
 
intenseneal

intenseneal

Well-Known Member
It is best to just use a good electronic or digital ballast that can run both MH and HPS bulbs but the conversion bulbs work just fine. If that is what you have then use it.
 
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lovelandbmxrider

Member
Thanks everyone I think I will get one and use it for a grow or two until I can get the funds for a new ballast. Now just curious would anyone use a mh for veg and flowering with a few cfls for supplement or go with a conversion bulb.
 
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Amysd

Active Member
Get one that you can switch the intensity as well so it the future you can ramp it up to 400, 750, or 1000 option~!
 
Alexander Supertramp

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
You and your plants would be much better off using a true MH over using a conversion bulb. There are many seasoned gardeners that use MH only during the entire grow with outstanding results.
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
BleedsGreen said:
I have never been a fan of conversion bulbs, my opinion is get a good digital ballast that will run either MH or HPS.
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I have a 1000 watt HPS with an umbrella parabolic reflector and old style EM ballast. Switchable from MH to HPS. Requires specific type/base bulbs of course but the whole setup new was only $200. Came with a 1000 watt bulb of my choice - I took the HPS and bought a much cheaper MH off Amazon.
 
mrCRC420

mrCRC420

Well-Known Member
It was and is my understanding that HPS ballasts can run MH bulbs of the same ballast wattage. In fact, I'm doing it right now with a 400w! Buuuut, I don't know if this works for ALL HPS ballasts. Some more research or confirmations are required
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
mrCRC420 said:
It was and is my understanding that HPS ballasts can run MH bulbs of the same ballast wattage. In fact, I'm doing it right now with a 400w! Buuuut, I don't know if this works for ALL HPS ballasts. Some more research or confirmations are required
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It's matching the starter/igniter. Certainly it is not a bulb-for-bulb trade.
 
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lovelandbmxrider

Member
What spectrum/bulb would be recommended with using mh thought? Do you use separate spectrums for veg and flowering? I am use to aquarium spectrums so 6500k to 20,000k it seems like I seed 2000k to 7000k with plants what would you guys recommend?
 
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lovelandbmxrider

Member
6500k bulbs are easy to find and cheap, but I'm having trouble finding lower spectrum in mh (like 3000k or so) the lowest I can find is 4100k I can always supplement with cfls
 
Alexander Supertramp

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
mrCRC420 said:
It was and is my understanding that HPS ballasts can run MH bulbs of the same ballast wattage. In fact, I'm doing it right now with a 400w! Buuuut, I don't know if this works for ALL HPS ballasts. Some more research or confirmations are required
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You are correct. A magnetic hps will fire a mh just fine.
 
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