Upgrading my lights

Hi Guys,

So I just finished my second grow with my 150W HPS light (Sun System), and im not really liking my results so far (not dense enough). Now I was thinking of either getting a second 150W sun system (300W total) or getting a 250W kit. Which one would you recommend? and why?

Im growing in a 2'x2' SecretJardin tent and using the Scrog method if that changes anything.

Thanks,

Bounc3r

Won't the temps get too high with that much light?

Well since you wondered into the LED section you should expect a bit of hazing.

Have you given LED lights any consideration? A home made LED array using Vero 18's or vero 29's would only cost a little more than the light's you're looking at and outperform them considerably. Four vero 29's running at about 40 watts each would likely be a good fit for your space and fairly easy to assemble. No special tools or skills required, it's practically plug and play now days.

If DIY panels don't appeal, there are always production units like the hans or area 51 panels that have cult like followings. Also perfectly suited for the space.

The next best option would be a sun system LEC. Expensive, but worth while.

The low watt HPS bulbs are fairly inefficient. They work, but there are better options now days.

a 250w CMH would be an excellent choice for that space. you run
CMH lamps off of very inexpensive 250w magnetic HPS fixtures.
i ran 250w HPS in a 4 square foot dresser and was very pleased
with the results, more dense buds from that than my 1kw in a 5x5.

CFL's for that space

don't use CFLs, they make more heat per watt than a HID lamp.

I personally would go with an 6-8 bulb 2' T5HO with a good mix of bulbs for that space. I'm big into a mixed spectrum as I feel it creates dense buds.

a nice CMH provides more than enough spectrum and has a
higher lumen per watt rating than any fluorescent. all the power
that does not get converted into light photons becomes heat.

T5s and CFLs are junk for flowering marijuana I have used them and you just don't get the coverage , frosting or yield that an HPS or LED can do. A CMH is also a great alternative but not a CFL or T5 those are mainly for veg or clones/seedlings.

indianajones said:

a 250w CMH would be an excellent choice for that space. you run
CMH lamps off of very inexpensive 250w magnetic HPS fixtures.
i ran 250w HPS in a 4 square foot dresser and was very pleased
with the results, more dense buds from that than my 1kw in a 5x5.

Click to expand...

Are the 250w philips cmh "retrowhites" still available???? definitely would run a 205w all start if I had a switchable 250w mag ballast

indianajones said:

don't use CFLs, they make more heat per watt than a HID lamp.

Click to expand...

A 23w cfl has almost the same lm/w as the Op's ^^ 150w hps setup (+/- 8-10lm/w).......but yeah you never want to go less than a 250w hid kit due to inefficiencies

140 on ebay vipar c2x2 made to fit your space 5 watt lensed leds veg amd flowers awesome, good penetration.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Rollitup mobile app

PSUAGRO. said:

Are the 250w philips cmh "retrowhites" still available???? definitely would run a 205w all start if I had a switchable 250w mag ballast

Click to expand...

that is a damn good question, and it seems the answer is yes. i see they
are available in several places.

http://www.greenerhydroponics.com/Philips-Ceramic-Metal-Halide-250W_p_78894.html

http://www.hydrogalaxy.com/growing-lights/hid-bulbs/philips-cdm-250s50-hor-4k-alto/?catargetid=120146710000017241&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAneujBRDcvL6f5uybhdABEiQA_ojMgi6gU_NhB_1ujfzhna2SHFis8u24Z9fUD_9LuF2557gaAkLk8P8HAQ

http://www.bulbamerica.com/products/philips-250w-105v-ed18-deluxe-cool-white-4000k-e39-mastercolor-hps-light-bulb?CAWELAID=120150920000398540&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=120150920000714166&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAneujBRDcvL6f5uybhdABEiQA_ojMgt_reKuzY00PsbMmDVP0zOVpzUSZLDfEBI43G989GncaAoXp8P8HAQ

here are some options on the rest of what you would need for a 250w system

htg supply 250w HPS complete system
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-250w-High-Pressure-Sodium-Grow-Light

1000 bulbs 250w HPS bare ballast kit
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/89503/PLUSRITE-7257.html?utm_source=SmartFeedGoogleBase&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=PLUSRITE-7257&utm_content=4+Tap+-+250+Watt+-+High+Pressure+Sodium+Ballast&utm_campaign=SmartFeedGoogleBaseShopping&gclid=Cj0KEQiAneujBRDcvL6f5uybhdABEiQA_ojMgoLjtNS8Un9mHd64ugvQsXFFyZ3DwbADH9xyh5tsYEwaAi398P8HAQ

HTG supply 250w system with 250w MH conversion bulb
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-Ultimate-250w-HPS-&-MH-Grow-Light

i would personally go with one of the HTG setups, it comes with a reflector and
extra bulb(s) which you can use as a backup. the conversion bulb one is nice
because you can veg under the MH and just use the CMH for flower, so the CMH
lasts longer.