hi i am a total newb who just purchased a 250w metal halide ballast with mogul and 3-prong power chord. I also have the 250w lamp (compliant with the ballast), and a light timer. i am about to purchase some mylar. i am pretty sure this is all i need and im very excited to start growing, but i'm worried i may be forgetting something.

This is my 1st growing experience and I'll be spending about $160 total.

Is there anything else I need? Am I missing some silly little chord that will end up putting me back a few weeks? Are digital ballasts (expensive) the better route for newbs? Are there any other mistakes I'm prone to make (I am not mechanically inclined)

I work at McDonalds and don't have much money so I need to be very efficient with my cash. I'm a little paranoid/worried here (probably cuz I'm smoking). Any tips?

youll need aPH tester

and you can get emergency blankets at walmart instead of paying an arm and a leg for a sheet of mylar

do you have your seeds yet? are you going to order genetics or grow bagseeds?

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I grow only tomatoes and for my personal use. Any inference otherwise from my posts is completely false.

You have a MH bulb on order?

Electronic ballasts are over-rated. IMHO

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"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." - Thomas Jefferson my grow

nutes /fans/ odor control/ check ur water/a lock for your grow room

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http://www.rollitup.org/image.php?ty...ine=1236535220

Electronic ballasts are over-rated. IMHO[/QUOTE]
How so are digital ballasts over-rated?
I have always been told the power saving on the first grow will pay for itself.. Is this correct.

How so are digital ballasts over-rated?
I have always been told the power saving on the first grow will pay for itself.. Is this correct.[/QUOTE]
not to mention less heat

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sorry fcked up/ and less heat

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yes i have the MH bulb on order. I just need to hook it up to the ballast and then hook it up to the reflector. I'm not sure exactly how to do this yet but doesn't seem too hard. Is it?

i thought i would comment on your digital ballast question. i bought a digital ballast from a popular company thats named on here alot and i have nothing but trouble. i think the internal switch that goes from MH to HPS is bad. maybe i bought a cheap pieace of crap though. so with that being said when i replace that light im going with a regular ole ballast.
good luck.

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"Man who are you Gene Autry or something?"

very true...electronic ballasts are over-rated...ordinary ballasts will do you fine...but heats like a motherf*cker..for reflection..paint d walls white or white plastic sheets...