SoG Grow Room Discussion

Old Frog said:

Thanks Lions, they looked a little dim to be 1000s, but the dimmability aspect is amazing to think about given the high wattage and potential for burning bulbs out prematurely. Very cool concept though. That makes two out of two nifty new 1st gen. gadgets I'd like to research more that you happen to have and share knowledge about.

Here's a link to one for sale on ebay with detailed description (for anyone else).

Is the fan just shoddy Chinese manufacture, or is it the housing that makes so much noise? Why have a fan in a digital ballast? I thought they ran substantially cooler anyway?

No topping or bending of the plants due to prolonged veg time? Looks like you're not lacking in ceiling space, so height may never be an issue for you...

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The fan is of Chinese origin - but it is quality - it just spins quickly creating an audible whirr - but yes, they actually seem to run cooler than the Lumatek's... and they are in the same resin housing as the Lumatek - I have been told by my local shop that "unhooking" the fan should not be a problem... I have not tried that yet - and as they run - I think the fans are getting quiter? I eventually will have to take them apart to clean the dust and possibly replace. Nice features - cool orange color (you can tell, I am driven by form over function - ha ha!)

We'll see - I have some cieling height but I hope to not have to use it - I think some bending will be required to maintain a reasonable height... we'll see, huh! I will definitely have to get out my whip!

LoudBlunts said:

yea sentinel products kicks ass period

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Word!!!!!!!

Granted Lions, that Quantum looks rad with its burnt marigold pearl finish! However, I may be more interested in digital switchable MH/HPS ballasts than the Quantums in the long run. Improved spectrum to me is better than reduced wattage...

i would advise against switchables...

the only drawback are they arent as efficient as dedicated made for 120 or 240 etc etc (why i havent tried nextgen yet) plus i have a 5 year warranty

LoudBlunts said:

i would advise against switchables...

the only drawback are they arent as efficient as dedicated made for 120 or 240 etc etc (why i havent tried nextgen yet) plus i have a 5 year warranty

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I've heard the same thing about the switchable quantum
when i was researching ballasts; i was advised to stay away from the quantum
i cannot remember the specifics, i just recall i was first really thrilled about this gadget
only to get my air blown out by a much knowledgeable individual,
he give a very reasonable argument, i ended up with a non switchable Lumatek for most juice possible from the bulb

how do you find the Quantum so far Linos?
did you have a chance comparing with a non switchable unit?

SOG said:

i ended up with a non switchable Lumatek for most juice possible from the bulb

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Yep. Just talked to the dude at the store and he said the same thing about the Quantums. I'll buy the Lumateks after this flower phase is done.

SOG, I've heard that the bulbs burn out faster with the digital ballasts. Is that an issue for you or do you change them out every cycle anyway?

Old Frog said:

Yep. Just talked to the dude at the store and he said the same thing about the Quantums. I'll buy the Lumateks after this flower phase is done.

SOG, I've heard that the bulbs burn out faster with the digital ballasts. Is that an issue for you or do you change them out every cycle anyway?

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i haven't had the pleasure of replacing them yet!

depends on bulb

i run the hortilux super hps

and the hortilux super blue (i think its called)

both 1k

normally 1 year depending on how i run it.... i like to keep my bulbs fresh...the rest that still have juice in them, i save for backups or something


---------------


dual spec/hybrid bulbs are effing sweet

light output can be measured with a light meter
you will be tell your light output anywhere in your grow area, at any given time!
its cheaper then a premature bulb replacement (may be triggered by stoner paranoia )

Yeah LB, I used four of those Hortilux HPS blue spec. bulbs to veg. my room in, and then switched to the regular warmer spec. when I flipped them. I'd still use those same Hort. bulbs for sure with the Lumatek ballasts. Was gonna get new vented hoods for everyone at the end of this month but I'm really considering a vert. or stadium grow a few months down the line so will hold off on that expense.


Nevermind SOG, I thought you had some digi ballasts already for previous grows! Everything else in your setups is so cutting edge man. . .

Hmmm, I didn't think my advanced stage paranoia glitch had any correlation with bulb replacement, but you could be onto something.

Old Frog said:

Granted Lions, that Quantum looks rad with its burnt marigold pearl finish! However, I may be more interested in digital switchable MH/HPS ballasts than the Quantums in the long run. Improved spectrum to me is better than reduced wattage...

Click to expand...

Yeah, Frog - spectrum is everything! How about this setup: Large dual socket Adjust-a-Wings with 400W MH and 600W HPS and Super Spreaders.

Well you will be glad to know that you can run both MH and HPS with the Quantum! ...so for once you can have your cake and eat it too!

LionsRoor said:

Large dual socket Adjust-a-Wings with 400W MH and 600W HPS and Super Spreaders.


Well you will be glad to know that you can run both MH and HPS with the Quantum! ...so for once you can have your cake and eat it too!

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Sounds like a sweet deal. Would the dual socket run off one or two ballasts? Are you saying one 1000w ballast can power both MH and HPS bulbs simultaneously out of the same large dual socket? <researches>


Damn...all this cake's makin' me full fast.

At what point is there too much light? When in veg., how much light can the plants actually uptake? Is vegging 100 plants under one blue spectrum Hortilux bulb equally as effective as spreading them out and giving more light coverage per plant? Is there any analysis out there about the rate of light uptake in [these specific] plants as they progress through various stages of growth?

All this serious talk's made me forget what I'm doing this for...I need to go smoke another joint.

SOG said:

I've heard the same thing about the switchable quantum
when i was researching ballasts; i was advised to stay away from the quantum
i cannot remember the specifics, i just recall i was first really thrilled about this gadget
only to get my air blown out by a much knowledgeable individual,
he give a very reasonable argument, i ended up with a non switchable Lumatek for most juice possible from the bulb

how do you find the Quantum so far Linos?
did you have a chance comparing with a non switchable unit?

Click to expand...

Hey SOG - the dedicated 240 ballasts are the most efficient - you are all correct - or I agree any way!

While I have not personally used the 240 Lumatek - I have used the 120 version - and there is no noticeable diff in the Quantum and the Lumatek 120 version... to me - short of the fan noise. For the same reason as the rest of you - I WANTED to buy the Lumatek 240 - but my local shop guy, literally - would not let me. He took me in back, he showed me stacks of failed Lumateks vs few failed Quantums... I was still not detered in my quest for Lumatek lighting superiority... but he then started asking me some questions about my light use, and the Quantum, really did fit me better. I am a multi-zone gardner, having several spots around and always on the lookout for new locations as real estate is really the only limiting factor! Oh - SOG - the sales guy I am speaking of is our mutual buddy in my town - I respect his thoughts and experience - they are a BUSY shop - quality too - IMHO. Always support your local shop!

Things the Quantum has on the Lumatek:

Generator ready

Use 120 or 240 (for multi locations this is really a blessing! for me, worth the "supposed" lumen loss)

Run your light at 100% 75% or 50% - this is beautiful for somebody growing from start to finish under 1 light... think about it - a 600W becomes a 300W or 450W...

Cool orange color

Having said that - I am going to get the Lumatek 240 for my third and final light at home.... next month. I will then give my two cents!

Lighten up, Guys! haha

i want to buy the nextgen and the quantum just to try for the hell of it

Since we're talking about lights has anyone heard anything good/bad about the duel ballasts that run 2 lights from one ballast? The cost for Lumatek 600W X 2 is almost the same as one duel 600 ballast. I haven't seen anything about them here so I thought I would ask.

Where those pics SOG???<taps foot>

greenthumb111 said:

Where those pics SOG???<taps foot>

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He said it, not me!

Old Frog said:

Sounds like a sweet deal. Would the dual socket run off one or two ballasts? Are you saying one 1000w ballast can power both MH and HPS bulbs simultaneously out of the same large dual socket? <researches>


Damn...all this cake's makin' me full fast.

At what point is there too much light? When in veg., how much light can the plants actually uptake? Is vegging 100 plants under one blue spectrum Hortilux bulb equally as effective as spreading them out and giving more light coverage per plant? Is there any analysis out there about the rate of light uptake in [these specific] plants as they progress through various stages of growth?

All this serious talk's made me forget what I'm doing this for...I need to go smoke another joint.

Click to expand...

Well - it's not a triple-layer-cake... 1 ballast per socket is still required - so, yes - a ballast for each bulb!

Generally speaking - the more points of light you have is better. So yes - two lights are generally always better than one... the most common example is the case for 2 x 1000 watt lights vs 3 x 600 watt lights... While the 600's with a total of 1800 watts would seem less bright - they are actually able to deliver more light for less watts to your garden. Similarly - 2 x 400's can give better light coverage than a single 1000. As you are into light spectrum - consider placing a lower wattage 250 watt MH light high in the center of your room.... use 600 or 1000 watt HPS bulbs closer to the canopy - this is as close as we can get to sunlight - but it still aint close!

Yes - volumes of info on plant response to different light intensity, spectrum, photo period, etc, etc, etc!!! More than you can read - but try anyway! You will be amazed to learn how little of the light pumped out by our super charged lights is actually used by our plants!

Lions, that's what I thought about the dual socket hood...double layer's fine.


"Generally speaking - the more points of light you have is better. So yes - two lights are generally always better than one... the most common example is the case for 2 x 1000 watt lights vs 3 x 600 watt lights... While the 600's with a total of 1800 watts would seem less bright"

Yeah, that logic's how I arrived at my current setup.

"You will be amazed to learn how little of the light pumped out by our super charged lights is actually used by our plants!"

What's a hapless grower to do? Any good reading material you'd recommend?

I've read the bible & know what everybody says, but in my experience, 2 x 400 isn't even close to a 1000w. 400s typically put out about 40k lumens, 1000w do 140k lumens. I know spread makes a difference, but I am running a 1000w Hortilux Super Blue in a Magnum XXXL. It spreads better than my 2 x 400 in standard hoods.

PDX, that fog box youtube video has a space shuttle in it!! I'm sold!

I agree with you on the two 400w HPS vs one 1000w, but I'm banking on three 600s beating two 1000w...