lighting question

Hey gang,

Didnt know where to post this.

What kind of light must you use to veg a non auto? i plan to use an hps forflower but wondeering if cfls are okay for veg.

Yeah, just use enough of them and use the right spectrum. Think you want something like 6 or 7k, don't quote me I use HID. It's the ''cool'' bulbs you want.

when the time comes i can afford the HPS should i find a unit that will do MH too? or do you have to buy two lights?

thanks for your reply!!!

Just paranoid said:

when the time comes i can afford the HPS should i find a unit that will do MH too? or do you have to buy two lights?

thanks for your reply!!!

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I'm pretty sure most new units do both. You can get kits that include the ballast, hangers, hood, a timer, and both MH and HPS bulbs for around $150 on ebay or amazon for a inexpensive 400 watt. I'm looking at a 1000 watt kit that's around $220 for the same brand. Im using Apollo Horticulture.

MrMcFreely said:

I'm pretty sure most new units do both. You can get kits that include the ballast, hangers, hood, a timer, and both MH and HPS bulbs for around $150 on ebay or amazon for a inexpensive 400 watt. I'm looking at a 1000 watt kit that's around $220 for the same brand. Im using Apollo Horticulture.

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I got mine ''used'' from Amazon Warehouse Deals for just over $100 with free 2 day shipping with my Prime trial. Only thing wrong was it was repackaged but who cares?

Just paranoid said:

when the time comes i can afford the HPS should i find a unit that will do MH too? or do you have to buy two lights?

thanks for your reply!!!

Click to expand...

Sup JP! If you have enough cash just get a digital ballast that runs both. That way your in control of each stage with each type of bulb. If your only using one room then one ballast and two bulbs would be perfect (MH & HPS) Most electric ballasts are adjustable, like a 400 watt can be dimmed to a 250 watt(only 150$). The great thing is you can run the 400 watt hps or mh bulbs like a 250 watt in these ballasts. Only a few plants set it to the 250 watt setting.... time for flowering or you have more plants then switch it to 400 watt.

Until then just enjoy the gardening under CFL's and keep your bulbs blue(cool 6-7K) for veg and orange(warm 2-3k) for flowering and try to use 25-50 watt CFL bulbs for best light output. You'll can actually grow some chronic bud grown under CFL's, just don't expect dense nugs.

i have i wierd closet im going to cut in half. its atleast 12-15 feet left to right, 4 feet deep and 10-12 feet height. would a dimable 600w mh/hps work good for this small space?

thank you so much for the replies

Yeah that will work for a 600, just make sure you have good air flow and venting. Those 600watts can get pretty hot and burn plants if not careful. You wont get the whole room full under one 600 unless you use a light mover. But if you want room to walk and work you can have the lamp in the middle of the room and it would light up about 5-7 feet by the 4 feet deep. The other choice it using two 400w or 600w spaced evenly apart would light that area better. Narrow areas are really fun to grow in but can be tricky. I have a closet grow i right now with a 400watt hps and a light mover. The closet is 9'x2' and the 400watt fills most of it with good to great lighting. I would rather have two 400w lamps but the light mover saves me electric money and I can still grow more plants. The best advice is to go with what you comfortable doing, keep it simple and then slowly make upgrades when you feel its time, and you have more experience.

maybe a 600 is too much. im wanting to cover a 4x4 area with the light for flower. Ultimately i want two lights, one each side. would a 400w MH work for veg?

Yeah a 250w or 400w MH are great for veg. Thats what I use. If your not growing large plants you may want to use t-5 lights in veg. They run cooler and are perfect for short/med plants, they are only 130$ for a 250 watt setup. Just plan on good air flow and venting as you figure this out, having the rooms side by side will create extra heat. If you can vent that heat out you have more options and less stress for yourself!

Peace Out!

im going to grow an auto with cfls and tubes until i can afford the lights. Im going to scrub the air then duct it to the attic from a cool tube on my flower light. that should take care of the main heat (i hope).

i have two 4x4 areas basically untill i demo the shelves. should i stick with 400w for each side and duct them?