HPS Lights from Home Depot

Hey, I'm an aerogarden grower, and I'm thinking of adding some HPS bulbs, but I don't have a whole lot of cash.
I was thinking of getting a HPS bulb or two from home depot.
The ones I found were 150 watt, but I couldn't find the lumens anywhere on the package
Will this work, and if so, what else do I need besides the bulbs and their reflectors?

Mofofosho said:

Hey, I'm an aerogarden grower, and I'm thinking of adding some HPS bulbs, but I don't have a whole lot of cash.
I was thinking of getting a HPS bulb or two from home depot.
The ones I found were 150 watt, but I couldn't find the lumens anywhere on the package
Will this work, and if so, what else do I need besides the bulbs and their reflectors?

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A 150w hps puts out roughly 15000 lumens. But you MUST have a hps ballast.

If cost is an issue, cfls are a decent alternative.

Mofofosho said:

Hey, I'm an aerogarden grower, and I'm thinking of adding some HPS bulbs, but I don't have a whole lot of cash.
I was thinking of getting a HPS bulb or two from home depot.
The ones I found were 150 watt, but I couldn't find the lumens anywhere on the package
Will this work, and if so, what else do I need besides the bulbs and their reflectors?

Click to expand...

go to insidesun.com
u can get a bigger light,im sure its cheaper too
or ebay

thanks, I know HPS is the best, so I wanna try and go with that, but how much does a decent HPS ballast cost and could you show me a link to one?

Mofofosho said:

thanks, I know HPS is the best, so I wanna try and go with that, but how much does a decent HPS ballast cost and could you show me a link to one?

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http://www.insidesun.com/Super_Economy_400_Watt_MH_65a26e.item
there r diff ones also
$100=400w

been there, done that, dont waste ur money. the lights at home depot require a ballast, not just that u will have to rig it yourself, and unless ur an electrician, i wouldnt tempt fate! truth is u can find a decent 400 mh or hps for around 150$, u just have to look around the net.

I think I'll go with that $100 setup. Do I need any ventalation?

i saw thos too the other day 150w outdoor light for 10 bucks, look really good so for 40= 600watt

i bought a 70w HPS security light fixture at Lowes this week for $34. It includes ballast and bulb, you just need to splice in an extension cord with some wire nuts to get it to fire up, and also cut out the photocell. for $70 you could buy 2 and use them like CFl's, they dont put out much heat and you can keep them right on top of the plant

to bad dog, u spend way too much man, and now u cant return them, hopefuly they work out for u

Mofofosho said:

I think I'll go with that $100 setup. Do I need any ventalation?

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of course u do
just like with any other setup

donkeyote said:

i bought a 70w HPS security light fixture at Lowes this week for $34. It includes ballast and bulb, you just need to splice in an extension cord with some wire nuts to get it to fire up, and also cut out the photocell. for $70 you could buy 2 and use them like CFl's, they dont put out much heat and you can keep them right on top of the plant

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for $80 u could det a 250w hps

moash said:

for $80 u could det a 250w hps

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where?? i would love to pick one of those up?

I got 100w HPS fixtures from Lowes a year ago for $15 each. Not a bad deal, except for the fact that I haven't used them. I wired around the photocell as well, but you can always put tinfoil over it. These lights are very impractical for most purposes. If you must use them, do it.

Originally Posted by donkeyote
i bought a 70w HPS security light fixture at Lowes this week for $34. It includes ballast and bulb, you just need to splice in an extension cord with some wire nuts to get it to fire up, and also cut out the photocell. for $70 you could buy 2 and use them like CFl's, they dont put out much heat and you can keep them right on top of the plant

The 100ws I got do put out heat, and you WOULDN"T want to put them right on top. Im sure it is the same with the 70ws. Use them like a cfl? NO GO.

ive got mine 4 to 6 inches from the plant tops and the temp doesnt get over 82 in an improvised rubbermaid cab. I simplycut a hole in the lid and placed the fixture on top so the bulb hangs down through the hole, while the ballast stays outside. It works fine for me and I also supplement it with 3 CFLs. Just check the pics in my sig if you don't believe it lol.

donkeyote said:

ive got mine 4 to 6 inches from the plant tops and the temp doesnt get over 82 in an improvised rubbermaid cab. I simplycut a hole in the lid and placed the fixture on top so the bulb hangs down through the hole, while the ballast stays outside. It works fine for me and I also supplement it with 3 CFLs. Just check the pics in my sig if you don't believe it lol.

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Well there you go. I would put my CFLs within 2 inches of the plant, within 1 inch with no problems if I don't move it quick enough. The light emmitted by CFLs is very weak and dissperses quickly, the closer to the plant it is, the most useable light to the plant.

Sorry about the confusion. I am not trying to argue. Good luck on your grow. Ill swing by and take a look

a hydro shop round here sells a 150 watt sun system enclosed ballast bulb for 80 bucks, is that a good deal? or should I get a remote ballast bulb? how's the heat with those??

redivider said:

a hydro shop round here sells a 150 watt sun system enclosed ballast bulb for 80 bucks, is that a good deal? or should I get a remote ballast bulb? how's the heat with those??

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no not a good deal get a 400 for 100 at htgsupplys