Light question

Hey, first time poster. I just got a simple question on lighting. i only want to do 1 plant, for recreational use. what sort of lights would be good for just one, every time i look somethin up on the internet its always talking of heavy duty lights to use for a grow room, but i wont be needing all that i dont think? can someone gimme some advice and tips? id really appreciate it! thanks!!

P.S.
money is not a problem but not really wanting to break my budget.

foozay said:

Hey, first time poster. I just got a simple question on lighting. i only want to do 1 plant, for recreational use. what sort of lights would be good for just one, every time i look somethin up on the internet its always talking of heavy duty lights to use for a grow room, but i wont be needing all that i dont think? can someone gimme some advice and tips? id really appreciate it! thanks!!

P.S.
money is not a problem but not really wanting to break my budget.

Click to expand...

If budget isn't an issue, then your best bet would be a 400w HPS light. You can get one at HTG Supply for $120.00 plus shipping, and for a little extra they will ship an MH lamp with it, for vegging. (www.htgsupply.com )This will also ensure you have enough light without spending more money, should you decide to grow a few more plants. Get a cheap $10 fluorescent tube light (6500K) for the little one's first week or so.

if you want the most cost effective way, cfl's work well on the small scale
1 plant can range from the 1 pound size down to less than a half oz - what works best depends a lot on how big a plant you want

growone said:

if you want the most cost effective way, cfl's work well on the small scale
1 plant can range from the 1 pound size down to less than a half oz - what works best depends a lot on how big a plant you want

Click to expand...

The $30 150.hps should be PLENTY for 1 plant.

tems said:

The $30 150.hps should be PLENTY for 1 plant.

Click to expand...

agreed. im growing one plant now(my first grow too) and all ive been using is a bunch of cfls. one 150 watt hps light would be plenty of light for one plant, just remember to keep some distance away from the plant with the light because that powerful of a light will cause burning if too close.

cfls are easily the cheapest and simplest way to go with lighting if you really didnt want to spend a bunch of money, but my advice would be to spend some money out front and get a hps or mh set up cause you will be so much happier in the long run. it sucks at first to have to spend the money, but if you decide to grow more in the future, you will be very happy with your purchase.

i never thought i would be so into growing, but its really sortve an addictive little hobby. knowing what i do now, had i seen a grow set-up with the hps or mh light for 150 in person, i think i wouldve gotten it.

hope this helps some.

A 250 or 400 watt HID system is a great call. The price difference between the 150/250/400 are small jumps, and why bother with a 150watt? Everyone raves about CFLs but I believe thats because they haven't unleashed the incredible power of HID. Yeah they're bigger lights but they're more efficient by a long shot. CFLs DO WORK and they work well but I've seen the difference in a plant going from a HID lamp to the same lumens per square foot of CFL light (my bulb burt out and waited 2 weeks for replacement). The plant slowed, lower branches lost strength, started becoming less dense, leaves lost the intensity in their color and elasticity. (CFL dudes I know you should put bulbs below the canopy for supplemental light which I did and I also utilized tiedowns for canopy management). The plant still grew, but not as vigorously. It grew just fine, it would work, but it was far happier under high intensity discharge. Yeah CFLs are cheaper and cooler but don't be a lazy miser. HIDs are the shit, they make your plants the shit, BOOYAH HID FOREVER!

I have been looking at ceramic metal halides but I have a digital ballast but before I go let me show you this
http://shop.ebay.com/dirtcheaplights/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340
they have $80 refurb 250 watters with the bulb and everything.

lol wow, thanks for all the advice guys, i didnt think itd get responded to this quickly. im considering a cfl, but i was wondering what wattage yall suggest? im not really trying to do much on a big scale and i really dont have the room to do it as of yet. but i might just go with a hps. but anyone care to give advice on a good wattage of hps??

foozay said:

lol wow, thanks for all the advice guys, i didnt think itd get responded to this quickly. im considering a cfl, but i was wondering what wattage yall suggest? im not really trying to do much on a big scale and i really dont have the room to do it as of yet. but i might just go with a hps. but anyone care to give advice on a good wattage of hps??

Click to expand...

150 watts for one to three plants would be sufficient i think