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on a budget!

growing 1 plant in a 2x3 space, 250W HPS gonna be enough? 400W HPS a lot better?

for flowering i've read you have to change lights, any suggestions?

are feminised seeds definitely female? if not, is there a way to try and make your plant feminised?

250 will do fine, not gunna lie, 400 will yeild a bit more but not sure if its worth the cost for the more expensive ballist/bulbs + the extra hydro?

I do 4 under 250w!

400wtts would be better deffanetly more yield.. power usage will not be much diffrent. don't take any one word on feminizd seeds..

id go 400 dual spec bulb.........all the fem seeds ive had except 1 pack from ch9 have been fems................get a 400, some coco, and go 12-12 from seed....you can pull 2-3 oz per plant dry

CRAVETHERAVE said:

for flowering i've read you have to change lights, any suggestions?

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you do not HAVE to change and it's from MH (6500 K) to HPS anyways.
Start your seeds with 6500 K cfls when they're a couple of weeks old switch to the HPS, I 'd get the 400 watt, better selection of bulbs when you have more money and want to upgrade. Fems are 100 % female or you got ripped off.

Would i not be able to put this, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/400w-HPS-PURE-SODIUM-GROW-LIGHT-BULB-HYDROPONICS-LAMP-/250804870604?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item3a65229dcc#ht_2198wt_1139

in this http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=clip+on+light&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7639376270782958816&sa=X&ei=MQHZTYnjBI648gPSv7yEBQ&ved=0CE8Q8wIwAA&biw=1366&bih=667#

?

thanks for your help already!

CRAVETHERAVE said:

Would i not be able to put this,

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nope two different size sockets and the HPS needs a ballast (transformer) it runs at 50,000 volts.
here's an idea of what you need for a HPS light (complete) http://www.htgsupply.com/Category-400-Watt-Magnetic-Grow-Light-Systems.asp

No. Check this out. http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-Ultimate-400w-HPS-&-MH-Grow-Light.asp

looks like a fantastic piece of equipment, but i cant afford that. i think i stupidily thought i could put a really powerful light into a clip on, ooops!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/125w-Dual-Spectrum-CFL-hanger-hydroponics-grow-light-/270748665690?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item3f09e0c75a#ht_846wt_1139

think this might a good solution i mean its only for 1 plant, includes filaments for different wattage, using the 6700 during veg, and 2700 during flowering, i think thats right?

CRAVETHERAVE said:

think this might a good solution i mean its only for 1 plant, includes filaments for different wattage, using the 6700 during veg, and 2700 during flowering, i think thats right?

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you need a reflector too or you'll lose most of your light, that'll add another large sum of money.
You seem to be in the UK as your e-bay links are all there.

yeah seems i need a reflector, how much do you think for one?

why not just buy thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/250W-Ballast-Sodium-Lamp-Reflector-Light-Kits-Grow-Tent-/120712387952?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D15%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D107007910147016414#ht_2997wt_1195

CRAVETHERAVE said:

yeah seems i need a reflector, how much do you think for one?

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these are good ones (I'm sure you can find a local source too) http://www.htgsupply.com/Category-Open-Air.asp
there's cheaper ones out there, you can also make a homemade one with a disposable aluminum roasting pan

zippythehippy said:

why not just buy this]

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yeah that's a better light really.

the way i see it the cfl is gonna cost £25 + a reflector if he doesnt make one that would most probably take his cost over the price of the 250w hps

CRAVETHERAVE said:

yeah seems i need a reflector, how much do you think for one?

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varies, anywhere from £20 to around 60 in local hydro. Dont bother with a 125w cfl, better off with a 250w, tiny difference in running cost and bulb cost.
250 bulbs are around £40, add in the price of a reflector and you might as well spend a bit more and get a 400w hid dual spec. Again local shop does the whole HID for £90 ( ballast, dual spec bulb, and cheap reflector) for the extra cost compared to higher yields, a hid will easily pay for itself . If you go for HID you will need a contactor relay for the timer, and a good intake/exhaust set up to regulate temps.
My experience so far is setting up with good equipment isnt cheap, but the rewards are worth the expense.
I tried super cheap with 250w cfl, cheap vent fan, home made grow box, got nothing from it.
On my 4th grow now, and for this one i invested about £400 in a tent, light, 2 decent fans, filter - i chop in around 3 weeks and i reckon the top colas on each of the 3 plants are around 1oz dry - im happy with that, its paid for itself easily on the 1st crop.

zippy, i can't afford that :/ i am buying the best equipment i can afford. i think i might have to make a homemade one, thanks for the help! looking forward to my seeds coming now

smivvie thanks i know what your saying is completely true, but i have no money , also, i don't know how many grows i will be able to do yet, this might just be a one time thing.

use mylar a a reflector. works great for me!