Help with equipment

Hey guys,

I'm planning on setting up my first grow tent here in the near future. I was hoping to get some expertise on which low to mid grade equipment is worth it and which is not. The list below is what I have currently scoped out that fits within my budget.

184$ - Apollo Horticulture 60"x60"x80" Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent for Indoor Plant Growing
250$ - Yield Lab 1000w HPS+MH Cool Tube Wing Reflector Grow Light Kit
90$ - Yield Lab 6 Inch 440 CFM Air Duct Fan Vent System (don't need charcoal)
20$ - Etekcity PH-2011 Plus Handheld High Accuracy pH Meter Pen Tester
12$ - AcuRite 00613A1 Indoor Humidity Monitor
14$ - HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester, 0-9990 ppm Measurement Range , 1 ppm Resolution, +/- 3% Readout Accuracy
18$ - Hydrofarm Black 7.8" Decorative Clamp Light, includes 26-watt CFL Grow Light (I was hoping to clamp them to the support poles given they have enough strength to support them)
52$ - Eva-dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier, White (for flower and drying)
7$ - Amertac 6002CS Moisture Meter

i have the appollo tent and its well worth the money imo! no complaints at all after three grows

I found this yield lab set for cheaper and you get a cooled hood instead of cool tube...seems like a better deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Yield-Lab-1000w-Reflector-Light/dp/B00FICG6YO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454461990&sr=8-1&keywords=1000w+yield+lab+with+air+cooled+hood

Also, I've tried one of those 1100 dehumidifier and it really work for me. I mean, it honestly didn't seem like it was doing anything, my RH didn't change at all. Idk, maybe others have had better experiences.

astronautrob said:

get a cooled hood instead of cool tube

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The reason behind that is the cool tube restricts around 5% more(If not more been a minute since I looked) light than the others which you don't want of course them girls are hungry for that extra power.

BamaBoyBeRolling said:

The reason behind that is the cool tube restricts around 5% more(If not more been a minute since I looked) light than the others which you don't want of course them girls are hungry for that extra power.

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Yea idk about restricting light, maybe it does, but I think the real reason is you get a much bigger footprint when using a hood instead of a tube. The reflectors on the tube are generally garbage unfortunately.

Also this....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Ph-Meter-TDS-Tester-Aquarium-Pool-Hydroponic-Water-Monitor-0-9999-PPM-/271898358226
PH & TDS meter for $15

Less of a foot print and in general lower grade reflectors, I would classify that as restrictions. I need to freshen up my mind on this again.

Right on,yea those could be called restrictions I agree. In either case if dude is going to be paying $250 for a set with a cool tube this is the same set up from the same company with a hood for $45 cheaper I'd say that's a no brainer

Thanks for the input. After doing some reading on electronic ballasts and RF interference I hope to now use LED lighting. Does anyone know of trustworthy brands that offer lights comparable to 1000w HID in the 300-400$ range?

Jim Mcnulty said:

Thanks for the input. After doing some reading on electronic ballasts and RF interference I hope to now use LED lighting. Does anyone know of trustworthy brands that offer lights comparable to 1000w HID in the 300-400$ range?

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You might want to post in the LED section to ask that question but I highly doubt you'd find anything comparable to a 1000w in that price range unless you were going to go with the cheap Chinese LED type. I might be wrong though, I am not a LED expert by any means but I do have a fair idea of the price ranges that LED's can command

I would stick with the HID lighting.. L.E.D.s are cool, but not comparable to h.i.d.
That being said, you can also save yourself $100+ if you build your own grow tent. It's extremely simple. Build a wooden frame, then wrap the whole thing with polyfilm. Use a staple gun to keep the poly film tight and in place. Also some gorilla tape helps seal any edges. I've built multiple tents larger than the one your buying, and all together they cost less that what your paying. That saved money could be spent on higher quality lighting system.
I agree with the other posts referring to the light and hood. I would get a nice square air-cooled hood. Not the cool tube. The shape of the glass will reduce the output of your bulb, to put it simply.
I've used both digital and magnetic ballasts, I see no difference in yield. You can buy a magnetic Ballast for half the price of digital and then buy yourself a nice hood and bulb. Believe me, you'll be happier.