HPS & MH combo kit

High Tech Garden Supply

i was checking this kit out. I would be upgrading from a 7$ lowes grow light.

combo kit seems like a pretty simple, easy way to step up. it would be for only 1 or 2 plants. how many watts would I want for that. If the combo kit is no bueno, then what about a 150 watt hps and a separate mh?

thanks

I have a 250w MH and HPS (not that particular HT Garden Supply setup though). It's doing well with my first grow (3 plants). My opinion--based on limited experience--is to go with the larger light when on the fence between sizes. Just be prepared to do what it takes to achieve proper ventilation/cooling.

$0.02

cool, no problem. I'll probably go with the 250 combo too, since I wont be doing more than 2 or 3 plants at once. It is summer, I am slightly bored, so I might make a box, and fab a couple fans in there. One pushing, and one pulling, right?

I just finished my cabinet. I started in a closet and just finished the cab that is now inside that closet. I couldn't light-proof the closet (necessary for flowering) without the cab. Actually, the cab I have now is sort of temporary--a prototype if you will. It was hastily constructed so I could flower. But it also is serving as a learning excercise so I can figure out what size and configuration I really want/need before I build a permanent one.

Passive intakes are fine. I'd probably rather have two fans exhausting air out than a push/pull arrangement.




Here's how I'm progressing with my 250w. They're in 3 gallon pots. Last pic is day 39 and about ready to switch to 12/12:

EDIT: nevermind on the pictures, they are in a 7 image gif file and rollitup's uploader only took the first image.

Hmmmm. I can't get a gif to display. Oh well. Here's day 39 of veg.

You can run a mh bulb from any hps ballast, just cant run hps off a mh ballst because there is no igniter.

You'd still have to "switch-off"/disconnect the ignitor from the circuit to run a MH with an standard HPS ballast, right? Isn't this how "switchable" magnetic ballasts achieve their ability to run either type of lamp?

those look great man. my plants get so stretched because i [assume] use the wrong kind of light. and im having problems light proofing my closet too- when you live with your girlfriend she tends to go in the closet about 50 times a day...

Hawk said:

You'd still have to "switch-off"/disconnect the ignitor from the circuit to run a MH with an standard HPS ballast, right? Isn't this how "switchable" magnetic ballasts achieve their ability to run either type of lamp?

Click to expand...

You dont have to disconect the igniter, people just think it makes it last a little longer, I know people who have done this problem free for years. the igniter only stays on for like 15 seconds anyways, and an igniter only cost like 30 bucks.

t dub c said:

You dont have to disconect the igniter, people just think it makes it last a little longer, I know people who have done this problem free for years. the igniter only stays on for like 15 seconds anyways, and an igniter only cost like 30 bucks.

Click to expand...

I see. I figured the ignitor somehow interrupted the firing of a MH....guess not. Good to know.