Apollo reflector vs ?

When I first started purchasing my lights I went the cheap apollo route that comes with cooltube/hps/ballast all in one. I have gotten some decent yields, but have been wondering if maybe the cheap ballast/reflectors might be holding me back.

I already replaced my bulbs to Ushio bulbs which seem brighter than the ones apollo provided. I have been eye balling the Blockbuster "6 reflector for a while, based off of this test from Greners. The only problem is they are almost $200 a piece and I need two of them.

Is investing $400 into reflectors gonna make a difference over the ones apollo provided? Does anyone have any experience in upgrading their reflectors? Was it worth it?

vented hoods for horizontal, bare bulb for vert.... i use $60 off brand 6" hoods, work great....

needs to be a really inferior company to fuck up a hood, they are all the same....

Are you a commercial grower? If not, I personally think that you're over thinking this. I only grow for myself, so I don't get caught up with constantly trying to increase my yields. In fact, I rarely even weigh my finished product. All I know is that I grow more than I can smoke (so I'll never be without), and that was my plan all along.

I am trying to increase my yield because I share my bud with family and friends, and would like to get the most out of my space. I have been using the cooltube model that apollo has.

003n1gm400 said:

I am trying to increase my yield because I share my bud with family and friends, and would like to get the most out of my space. I have been using the cooltube model that apollo has.

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Just use the Apollo hood. I use a Thunder air cooled hood with the included bulb. I hit just a tad over 2 pounds with my diesel strain and Coco DTW. Save your money. I think my hood is 26"x26" or so.

There is a 95% chance that your yields aren't hood related . Unless you are getting over a gram per watt . I doubt a different hood is going to give you that change you are looking for

I've been using an Apollo air cooled hood and MH/HPS bulbs I purchased on the bay for cheap 2 years back. Going to be picking up replacement bulbs soon but I haven't noticed any decrease in yields.

I feel changing Reflectors would only make a difference if you were buying larger ones that could give you better light coverage over an area.

IMO if you're looking for an increase in yields, depending on how you're growing already or if not already using one of these, try LST, topping, scrog methods. Ive noticed huge increases in yields when putting in the time and work in veg and filling out a scrog net while topping and tying down young to help fill the screen faster.

Make the most out of the light and area you already have before spending more $$

I started out with 1x Apollo 600 in veg and 1x Apollo 600 in flower. 1st time ever growing I pulled 17.64zips (cured and dried) 7 plants in 3.75gal pots in a 4x4x7 tent w/ a/c). then I upgraded my flower room to 2x Apollo 600's. pulled some excellent numbers. then upgraded my 2x hoods to 2 big kahuna hoods. then upgraded yet again to 3x big kahuna hoods and 3x 600's. all bulbs and ballasts have been Apollo. I did try to toss in ushio super red bulbs in flower, but with in 5 seconds of firing the ballasts up, all 3 bulbs and ballasts instantly fried/popped!. lost out on 3 ballasts and 3 brand new bulbs (about 500.00 down the shitter). I do swap out my hps bulbs every 2 flower cycles, mh bulb every 3 veg cycles.

I would love to try ushio again, but cant afford another hit in the wallet.