Which of these kits should I buy??

Which one of these kits do you think is the best? I am within range for all these prices but I would prefer to keep it low as im trying to fit a carbon air filter into my budget. Let me know what you guys think...

1-http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271188853244?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3252wt_1398
2-http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151018585057?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1828wt_1164
3-http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/140909331433?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_4818wt_1398
4-http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200879472251?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2501wt_1398

Number 4 is good with price but the other are MH and HPS so would be good for veg and flowering...What you guys think?

I would stay away from magnetic and try and buy a digital ballast that has the ability to dim your lighting. But out of the ones you posted I think the first one looks the best.

FeelinSpacey said:

I would stay away from magnetic and try and buy a digital ballast that has the ability to dim your lighting. But out of the ones you posted I think the first one looks the best.

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Really, whats wrong with the magnetics? I didnt even notice digital/magnetics! Im assuming the digitals are reasonably more pricey???

yeah, digital ballasts are the way to go...no...not any more expensive.
most of them allow you to use both MH and HPS.

and get one with an enclosed hood to exhaust your heat.
worth the extra money!!

don't sink your $ into an off brand to save a few $....
ballasts fail...and are the most expensive part of the setup.
if you buy a cheap one...expect to be replacing it within a year.
I've used my Ipower 24/7 365 for over two years and no problems....

This one has no hood..but digital ballast:
http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLSETX600DHMWING20-600-Watt-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005DOS0R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023478&sr=8-1&keywords=600W+MH+HPS+ipower

These two have hoods and digital ballasts...just different types of hoods...

http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-Hydroponic-Reflector-Comparable/dp/B005EW026Q/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023478&sr=8-6&keywords=600W+MH+HPS+ipower

http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLSETX600DHMAC6-600-Watt-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005GYRZV2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023478&sr=8-8&keywords=600W+MH+HPS+ipower

Everything in those kits are shit(Bulbs especially). I know your trying to save money (I can tell by the listings) but these are investments that are going to last you. There is a thread somewhere on here for the best deals on the web with some quality gear at good prices. My advice (Having wasted thousands of dollars on bargain crap in my 10+ year career that took a shit or doesnt perform any more) is save your money for quality or start smaller with like a real quality 400w set up. It will cost you less to vent and still get you accustomed to growing your own erb without the hassel of malfunctioning equipment. Goodluck. -S0uP

Just get what you can.. learn what you're doing.. Then upgrade your stuff at some point...

budsMI said:

Just get what you can.. learn what you're doing.. Then upgrade your stuff at some point...

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yeah, but if it's between spending $200 on ebay for a crap 600W
and spending the $200 on something that might last more than 5 minutes...

get what you can...but be smart about it.

That ebay setup looks like dog shit.


did you notice the middle link I posted above??

600W HPS and MH for $195... comes with a vented hood too.
and it's from a reputable company that will replace it if it has flaws....

Yeh, im not to fussed that ill be working with the cheaper side of things as its my first grow. I wanna get some experience under my belt with maybe 2-4 grows then I will get into the pricier side of things. The ebay ones are aussie dollars too and if I order from Amazon its in USD and shit will be expensive as fuck with freight. 250-300 AUD is out of budget cos I wont have anything left for vents, nutes etc

look around... those ones listed on amazon should be available 'down under'...might just take a little research!!

I'd hate to see you sink $200 in a rig that will fail you before you finish your first grow.
When it comes to HID lighting and high wattage electrical......'cheap' is usually a fire hazard.

Ok awesome, what are some reputable brands and some to steer clear from??

Its not fire hazard, its dropping every cent you have THEN spending 3-4 months of your time to harvest .15g/w thats the problem.

Ipower, Apollo, HyDrofarm, Virtual Sun, Sun System, Lumateck... all good brands with upstanding warrantys.

Oo S0uP oO said:

Its not fire hazard, its dropping every cent you have THEN spending 3-4 months of your time to harvest .15g/w thats the problem.

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Cheap crappy electrical equipment can be a fire hazard...just a fact.

I understand that the initial investment sucks and it takes at least 12+ weeks to get a return...
but you get what you pay for...
I wasted a few years 'trying to stay cheap'
using florescent bulbs, no nutes..shit soil... what a waste of time.

It's worth your time and money to save up for the right stuff...imho
It took me a while but I built up from using one 400W MH/HPS to adding a second light (600W)
now I have two grow rooms... one veg and one flower... and both are full to the gills..

you get you initial investment back with your first crop, if you do it right..

yeah the apollo is about the best bang for your buck out there. their ballast are fan cooled and never get hot for me. ive had the 400w and 1kw from them. just make sure you get a cool tube or hood. do not go all cheap with the gull wing reflectors.