Any Recommendations On Lights

[Slayer84092]

$15 each.

[cocoJoe]

That is not to bad. But you'll save 15 bucks for every clone you flower.

[Screwnuts33]

I have the Galaxy digital balasts. They run on either 120v or 240v and can run either a MH (vegging) bulb or HPS (flowering bulb). They run nearly silent and put off very little heat. I am using Sun Super 2 air cooled hoods. Currently I will be using the HPS for flowering as I am using T5's for veg.

[Slayer84092]

I've been hearing more and more about galaxy ballasts. They sound good. I thought that the metal halide lights were better for vegging than flourescents, why would you use T5s? Also, I wanted to know if you are supposed to match the bulb and ballast. By that I mean, if I have a 400 watt hps bulb, should I be using it with a 400 watt ballast and a hood that's rated at or above 400 watts?

[Screwnuts33]

Originally Posted by Slayer84092

I've been hearing more and more about galaxy ballasts. They sound good. I thought that the metal halide lights were better for vegging than flourescents, why would you use T5s? Also, I wanted to know if you are supposed to match the bulb and ballast. By that I mean, if I have a 400 watt hps bulb, should I be using it with a 400 watt ballast and a hood that's rated at or above 400 watts?

Galaxy is Sun Systems digital line. The quality is top shelf. Not the cheapest but looks very well made.

I am using T5's for veg primarily because I have them in 6500k color and the lumen output on the Sun Blaze 48 is very good. Right now I have the lights only 5" above my seedlings with no heat issues. Can't do that with MH bulbs.

Balasts have to be matched to the bulb in both wattage and bulb type. A switchable balast can run a MH or HPS bulb. Not all balasts are switchable. The Galaxy's are. Be certain the hood/reflector you choose will accept the bulb(s) you intend to run.

[Slayer84092]

Cool. I have a few friends that grow, and they told me about a shop in Berkeley where they'll haggle with you. They got a few complete nice 400 watt switchable set ups for $100 each. I'm gonna check that place out this weekend. Hopefully I can work out somethin similar.

[420boogie]

home depot hps is the wrong kind it wont plug directly into wall and probably uses tons of energy. Get a lumatek electronic ballast-400w, its switchable (hps/mh), and a 430w(EYE)HPS bulb. The ballast has a switch to add 30w I heard. I just ordered it and should be getting it in a few days. I went to hydroponic outlet I found them to be the cheapest.

[Oldgrowerdude]

If I had another closet I would go with a switchable ballast for both HD/HPS bulbs. Maybe a 400 Watt you will have to vent the room with a exhaust fan of some sort. The switchable are about half the cost of a digital ballast....

Like this..........

[Slayer84092]

Very good to know 420boogie. Woulda been a bitch if id have bought the wrong kind. I still haven't gotten the chance to get down to that hydroponics store in Berkeley. Been real busy. Definitely going to get a switchable ballast.

[420boogie]

i bought the hps from home depot only to return it and they would only give me in store credit!

[BWC BayArea]

When using lumatek digital ballasts DO NOT USE HIGH END LAMPS/BULBS such as EYE Hortilux Super HPS lamp/bulb. Compatibility issues. Check this out>Lumatek Ballast and this Lumatek digital more trouble than its worth?. I also read a few threads and articles about fires starting with these ballasts. Don't remember the whole story on the fires. Hope this helps make the decision making process easier for u.

[Green.Life]

Ok I personally feel that MH for veg and HPS for flowering is the only way to go for the finest outcome as far as quality is concerned. For hoods I use adjust-a-wings and feel that used with the adjust-a-wing accessory the super spreader they are the shit. Why are they the shit? First of all extremely lightweight. Second, I am not good at expressing the logistics about things, but their shape design and pebbled material provide a great amount of reflection. However I have had issues controlling heat as opposed to an air cooled hood...but once you dial in your own ways of dealing with that issue (like training exhaust ducting to the back of it) then you will be very pleased with results. You can run 250w, 400w, 600w with the medium size and 1000w with the large size.