Grow Goddess
Well-Known Member
Real good thread here. A lot of great information. I even bookmarked many of the links everyone provided.
400W HPS, I have used cheapie bulbs with no problems or complaints. I have been using 400W HPS for about 13 years.
600W HPS, I am still working on some comparisons. Not much experience with those yet, but I am liking what I have seen so far.
1000W HPS, I started off using Sunmaster bulbs, two of my strains will not taste right after growing under them no matter what. I switched to an Agrosun Super Red Sodium, it helped with one of the strains but the other still does not like it, will not come out right period. My 4-G strain from bag seed that I have been growing for 8 years. If I have to, I will stop using the 1000W lights to keep this strain at its best quality. I am giving it my last try with a dual arc bulb. I just put one in a few days ago. The color is beautiful. I can't wait to see the final results. If that does not help, I will just convert my 2000W closet into an 1800W closet using three 600W HPS.
I don't have a preference yet for 1000 watters, still working on that one. I have had great success with all of my other strains using the 1000W lights, it is just that one that does not react well to them.
I do have my preference for veg lights. The spectrum of these lamps is like no other fluorescent that I have seen. I have compared them in veg to MH, HPS, and regular fluorescent lamps and nothing compared. These lamps have a spectrum very similar to HID lighting, a very jagged spectrum instead of a smooth spectrum like regular fluorescent lamps. I am very disappointed, they stopped manufacturing my favorite lights. Not sure if it is because they have been banned or just a decision to stop making them, either way, it sucks! Luckily I stocked up on a few before they stopped manufacturing them. Now, don't shit your pants when you see the price per bulb!! I have worked with electrical and lighting most of my life and had access to many catalogs and information on commercial lighting supplies. Before it became legal here in MI to grow, I always purchased commercial lighting supplies. Sometimes I would have to do some customizing to accommodate my needs. In commercial lighting there is a lot of equipment that is not available from your typical grow shop and in some cases, better than what you can get at a typical grow shop. Just one example: three of my 400W HPS lights were originally outdoor lighting wall packs. I converted them to be used in the grow room. After 13 years of using them, never once has there been a bulb or ballast failure. Compared to HydroFarms PowerHouse 8 year warranty ballast, well there is no comparison on quality. I have already gone through two failed HydroFarms PowerHouse ballast. They do honor their warranty, which is great. I did learn the hard way to have a back up ballast on hand!
http://www.drillspot.com/products/343182/ge__f96t12_spx30_ho_linear_fluorescent_lamp_pack_of_15
400W HPS, I have used cheapie bulbs with no problems or complaints. I have been using 400W HPS for about 13 years.
600W HPS, I am still working on some comparisons. Not much experience with those yet, but I am liking what I have seen so far.
1000W HPS, I started off using Sunmaster bulbs, two of my strains will not taste right after growing under them no matter what. I switched to an Agrosun Super Red Sodium, it helped with one of the strains but the other still does not like it, will not come out right period. My 4-G strain from bag seed that I have been growing for 8 years. If I have to, I will stop using the 1000W lights to keep this strain at its best quality. I am giving it my last try with a dual arc bulb. I just put one in a few days ago. The color is beautiful. I can't wait to see the final results. If that does not help, I will just convert my 2000W closet into an 1800W closet using three 600W HPS.
I don't have a preference yet for 1000 watters, still working on that one. I have had great success with all of my other strains using the 1000W lights, it is just that one that does not react well to them.
I do have my preference for veg lights. The spectrum of these lamps is like no other fluorescent that I have seen. I have compared them in veg to MH, HPS, and regular fluorescent lamps and nothing compared. These lamps have a spectrum very similar to HID lighting, a very jagged spectrum instead of a smooth spectrum like regular fluorescent lamps. I am very disappointed, they stopped manufacturing my favorite lights. Not sure if it is because they have been banned or just a decision to stop making them, either way, it sucks! Luckily I stocked up on a few before they stopped manufacturing them. Now, don't shit your pants when you see the price per bulb!! I have worked with electrical and lighting most of my life and had access to many catalogs and information on commercial lighting supplies. Before it became legal here in MI to grow, I always purchased commercial lighting supplies. Sometimes I would have to do some customizing to accommodate my needs. In commercial lighting there is a lot of equipment that is not available from your typical grow shop and in some cases, better than what you can get at a typical grow shop. Just one example: three of my 400W HPS lights were originally outdoor lighting wall packs. I converted them to be used in the grow room. After 13 years of using them, never once has there been a bulb or ballast failure. Compared to HydroFarms PowerHouse 8 year warranty ballast, well there is no comparison on quality. I have already gone through two failed HydroFarms PowerHouse ballast. They do honor their warranty, which is great. I did learn the hard way to have a back up ballast on hand!
http://www.drillspot.com/products/343182/ge__f96t12_spx30_ho_linear_fluorescent_lamp_pack_of_15
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