Whats The Scoop on Indoor Lighting????

[Lacy]

So I've grown several successful indoor grows using only cfl's. I know some of you cringe at the thought but thats the only thing I knew of at the time. Of course I did have many of the double kinds with grow lights and I had a very long rectangular closet, so it worked for me then. But this is now.

I've recently started some seeds and am most definitely switching to something more efficient with less hassle. The one thing I do remember about the fluorescents is the fact that I always had to be adjusting them because my plants would grow right into them. The light didn't penetrate all the way down so I had to hang some sideways for the side branches.

I don't want to do this and am in the process of building a bathroom/growroom in the basement. Its going to be approximately 10 x 6. I want to get a 600 watt MH ballast with the option to switch to hps. The one I am looking at is digital and has a built-in fan for cooling it.

I know this isn't going to be enough light for the entire room but I was planning on blocking one side off to a 6 x 6 x 8 and also adding ventilation. (I have some good plans for that)

The guy I talked to at 'hydroponics' said that the 400 watt gives off 88,000 lumens. I'm not sure what the 600 watt gives off but I was assured that it would be sufficent for a 6 x 6 square foot room.

I'm looking at a few places right now, including eBay but don't want to make a rash decision and regret it later.

Anyone's 2 cents is appreciated.

 

[kittysecrets4u]

Illuminating facts of light

With the proper lamp and reflective hood you could increase light in the room by 10-40 percent and use the same amount of electricity. The more light, more plants bigger bud and a heavier harvest for the same electricity bill. Smile.

The more lumens your plants receives the better it grows. Lumens diminish very quickly so it's important to keep the lamp 18'' to 24'' from the top of your garden so the bright light is able to spread out evenly.

The 600 watt hp sodium bulb is a 20 percent better value than any super metal halide. The 600 watt initial lumens is approximately 91,500 lumens, the mean (average) is approximately 81,500 lumens. You want at least 100,000 lumens to simulate natural sun light.

A 1000 watt hp sodium bulb produces approximately 140,000 lumens...so you would get a better deal by purchasing 2-600 watt bulbs if you are looking for a little extra lumens.

The 400 Watt High Pressure Sodium only puts out 50,000 lumens so two of these will put you right at natural sun light. Keep in mind light diminishes so I like to have a little extra lumens in my garden.

Watt for Watt hp sodium bulbs are way better then metal halides.

Keep in mind the type of reflectors are also very important.

Hope that helps.

 

[Lacy]

Hope this helps? Well YES! Thank you!
The hps bulbs are a better deal than the MH's but don't I need the MH bulbs for the veg stage?

Thats awesome info. I was considering a 2nd 600 watt light later. Perhaps. not sure but that is great info. very helpful indeed.

Thanks again Kitty.

Illuminating facts of light

With the proper lamp and reflective hood you could increase light in the room by 10-40 percent and use the same amount of electricity. The more light, more plants bigger bud and a heavier harvest for the same electricity bill. Smile.

The more lumens your plants receives the better it grows. Lumens diminish very quickly so it's important to keep the lamp 18'' to 24'' from the top of your garden so the bright light is able to spread out evenly.

The 600 watt hp sodium bulb is a 20 percent better value than any super metal halide. The 600 watt initial lumens is approximately 91,500 lumens, the mean (average) is approximately 81,500 lumens. You want at least 100,000 lumens to simulate natural sun light.

A 1000 watt hp sodium bulb produces approximately 140,000 lumens...so you would get a better deal by purchasing 2-600 watt bulbs if you are looking for a little extra lumens.

The 400 Watt High Pressure Sodium only puts out 50,000 lumens so two of these will put you right at natural sun light. Keep in mind light diminishes so I like to have a little extra lumens in my garden.

Watt for Watt hp sodium bulbs are way better then metal halides.

Keep in mind the type of reflectors are also very important.

Hope that helps.

 

[email468]

Hi Lacy - kitty gives excellent help and advice doesn't she?

If you don't mind dropping the coin - you can get the best of both worlds - a 1000w dual-spectrum (there is also an 800w version). you can run both a 600w HPS and a 400w MH at the same time through the whole grow season. I love mine.

Here it is:
1000W Sun System 7 Grow Light System | BGH

and a pic of the bulbs and ballast

something to consider anyway ...

 

[fdd2blk]

you can get an "enhanced" HPS bulb that will allow you to veg and flower with the same bulb. i have a 6ooW in a 3 X 3 area, you may need more light. i think digital ballasts are more expensive, i haven't heard enough positive feed-back to warrant spending the extra money. i personally have never used one.

 

[Lacy]

Yes the digital is much more expensice BUT according to what I 'read' it said that it starts the light much slower, about 2 to 3 minutes for it to get to its full lumen potential. This in itself saves the life of the bulb but quite a lot because its the start on and off that apparently stresses out the lights more than actually usage.

Thats what I read by the people that are selling them so I kind of wanted some opinions before I make this type of investment.

Also it has a cooling fan and they say that this helps keep the light for longer. But having said all this,with the extra expense I might be better off getter an ordinary 600 watt hps light and if it doesn't last as long, get another one.

Its very intersting. Of course I really need to kick myself in the butt and get my grow room up BUT it will take a bit of time for the light to arrive.
We hope to get my room finished by the end of next week.

A 600 watt in a 3 x 3 area? Well thats efficient> Thats a lot of lumens per square foot. Ok Fdd ...talk to me.

The regular 600 watt hps is $199 the other one with the fan and digital is $329.

An enhanced bulb!!!!! Good good. This is what I want.
Thanks Fdd. i will do some more research. I would email these people and ask them but I know they are also sales people.

you can get an "enhanced" HPS bulb that will allow you to veg and flower with the same bulb. i have a 6ooW in a 3 X 3 area, you may need more light. i think digital ballasts are more expensive, i haven't heard enough positive feed-back to warrant spending the extra money. i personally have never used one.

 

[Lacy]

Yes she gives great info. This is very interesting and important info. The site you gave me is very informative. I am reading up on all kinds of info.
Very good email. Thanx buddy. Very helpful.

Hi Lacy - kitty gives excellent help and advice doesn't she?

If you don't mind dropping the coin - you can get the best of both worlds - a 1000w dual-spectrum (there is also an 800w version). you can run both a 600w HPS and a 400w MH at the same time through the whole grow season. I love mine.

Here it is:
1000W Sun System 7 Grow Light System | BGH

and a pic of the bulbs and ballast

something to consider anyway ...

 

[Lacy]

The pic of the ballast looks like the ones that I have been checking out.

Hi Lacy - kitty gives excellent help and advice doesn't she?

If you don't mind dropping the coin - you can get the best of both worlds - a 1000w dual-spectrum (there is also an 800w version). you can run both a 600w HPS and a 400w MH at the same time through the whole grow season. I love mine.

Here it is:
1000W Sun System 7 Grow Light System | BGH

and a pic of the bulbs and ballast

something to consider anyway ...

 

[scias]

wow this has been an all female post so far.. fdd included

 

[Kelch420]

How long do HPS bulbs and ballasts usually last? A couple grows?

 

[Harkin]

I think that the enhanced bulb(HPS) that FDD is talking about is the Son Agro, there could be others but I heard that particular model has extra blue for vegging. I'm gettin my hands on one for my next grow. They are more expensive than an ordinary bulb and the don't last as long, but hopefully its worth it. If I'm wrong SORRY

 

[Lacy]

There is very good info about all of that in the link that email added. Very informative. I'm still reading.

How long do HPS bulbs and ballasts usually last? A couple grows?

 

[Lacy]

There are some others Harkin. Check out the link email provided.
Thanx BTW!!!
I don't care about paying more for the bulb or ballast if it warrants the extra cost/

I think that the enhanced bulb(HPS) that FDD is talking about is the Son Agro, there could be others but I heard that particular model has extra blue for vegging. I'm gettin my hands on one for my next grow. They are more expensive than an ordinary bulb and the don't last as long, but hopefully its worth it. If I'm wrong SORRY

 

[Lacy]

YES and your point is......??????????

wow this has been an all female post so far.. fdd included

 

[Lacy]

Ok this is something to get excited about.
I'm looking at the 800 watt Sun System 7 (dual spectrum combination lighting)

It comes with everything!!!!!!!!!!

This is very impressive.

Ok ok. So you keep both lights on at the same time even during flowering OR would you switch both lights to hps?

Very cool.

Thank you thank you!!!!

Hi Lacy - kitty gives excellent help and advice doesn't she?

If you don't mind dropping the coin - you can get the best of both worlds - a 1000w dual-spectrum (there is also an 800w version). you can run both a 600w HPS and a 400w MH at the same time through the whole grow season. I love mine.

Here it is:
1000W Sun System 7 Grow Light System | BGH

and a pic of the bulbs and ballast

something to consider anyway ...

 

[Lacy]

I love this light but when I read some more into it, it only puts out approximately 30, 000 from the MH bulb and about 30,000 from the hps bulb. And this is an 800 watt.

When I looked into a 600 watt it said it puts out about 93,000 lumens.

Now, I don't know much about the lighting but I am assuming that the 93,000 lumens would work better than the dual spectrum at 60,000 lumens.

Does anyone know the answer to this.?

I'm a bit weary of talking to sales people because I don't know if I am getting scammed or not.

Ok this is something to get excited about.
I'm looking at the 800 watt Sun System 7 (dual spectrum combination lighting)

It comes with everything!!!!!!!!!!

This is very impressive.

Ok ok. So you keep both lights on at the same time even during flowering OR would you switch both lights to hps?

Very cool.

Thank you thank you!!!!