Using Homebox as a grow room

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dmoney123

Active Member
Im new to the whole growing thing, but im excited to say the least about starting. Should have my seeds in a week or two, been experimenting with the germination with some bag seeds in the mean time. Il be getting a Homebox L which is 39.5 x 39.5 x 78.75. Im looking for what kind of setup would be good for growing ( Lights, Exhaust, temp control) ive read some places to use CFL's is fine for seedling-veggie then HPS for flowering. Others say T5's for the seedling veggie stage. Obviously there are many different meathods that work im just looking for some different ideas from all you experts here :)

Thanks in advance!
 
Cr8z13

Cr8z13

Well-Known Member
I have a Homebox and I went with a 600W digital ballast with MH/HPS bulbs, along with a 4" can fan with carbon scrubber. I keep it in a room and I turn on the window AC when temps reach 85.
 
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dmoney123

Active Member
Awsome thanks, but could you elaborate more on the lighting setup. Did you use the same bulb from seedling-flowering if not which did you use for what?

Thanks again, ive had problems finding a real person to talk to about the homebox besides the people from homebox :O
 
Cr8z13

Cr8z13

Well-Known Member
dmoney123 said:
Awsome thanks, but could you elaborate more on the lighting setup. Did you use the same bulb from seedling-flowering if not which did you use for what?

Thanks again, ive had problems finding a real person to talk to about the homebox besides the people from homebox :O
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I have a Lumatek digital ballast with one Metal Halide conversion bulb and one High Pressure Sodium. Looking back, I should have gone with an air-cooled refector, but went with the basic "wing" type reflector(The Lightwave).

Here's what I have:

http://cheaphydroponics.com/store/complete-grow-lights/lumatek-600w-hps/mh-complete-grow-light/prod_640.html

Whether you go air-cooled or not, you are going to need a good exhaust fan. I went with this:

Can Fan 4" Inline Fan HO - 178CFM - Imported Products - Cheap Hydroponics - Indoor Gardening and Hydroponic Supplies - (Powered by CubeCart)
 
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dmoney123

Active Member
This might be a stupid question, but you can use the MH and HPS bulb in the same unit that you have listed there? And is that universal? or are some brands different
 
Cr8z13

Cr8z13

Well-Known Member
dmoney123 said:
This might be a stupid question, but you can use the MH and HPS bulb in the same unit that you have listed there? And is that universal? or are some brands different
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You can use both bulbs in the same unit, though not at the same time. When I started flowering I switched out the Metal Halide bulb for the High Pressure Sodium. This works for the particular ballast I have, I can't comment on whether other brands have this feature as well. When I was doing my research(at least a month or two), the name Lumatek kept coming up. That's why I went with it.
 
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AfterMidnight

Active Member
dmoney123 said:
This might be a stupid question, but you can use the MH and HPS bulb in the same unit that you have listed there? And is that universal? or are some brands different
Click to expand...

First post anywhere since overgrow got shut down ...sigh

dmoney123

Typically a ballast is designed for a specific bulb type. If I got cr8z13 right he is using a electronic HPS ballast with a MH conversion bulb. The conversion bulb is a special MH bulb that can be driven with an HPS ballast. Lumatek also makes a dual ballast with seperate connectors. I have also seen other ballasts with switches for switching between types.

So the answer is no, you can't take a standard MH bulb and drive it with a HPS ballast (or visa versa).

Peace and good luck with the grow,

AM
 
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hkushraja

Active Member
The hombox L is one of the best setups out there to grow in. Digital ballast is alot better than a magnetic. The carbon filter setup is money for odor.
 
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midgaar

Active Member
I'm using the Homebox L with a 400w HPS, 4" can and carbon scrubber from HTGSupply.com. I use the HPS bulb from start to finish but only because I haven't gotten around to getting a MH conversion bulb.
 
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dmoney123

Active Member
Alright i placed my order:

Digital Electronic 600 watt HPS & MH Ballast
SunMaster 600 Watt Super HPS Deluxe Bulb
Mini SunSoaker Reflector

Ive held off on purchasing the MH bulb because i wasnt sure if i had to get a 600w MH bulb because of the ballast or if i could get a 400w. After i purchase the MH bulb for my veg period il just need to get some fans and a carbon filter correct? Roughly the size of the Homebox L is 3.5' x 3.5' x 6.5' so what size fan will be needed? Thanks for all your help, because of it il be hoping to start growing when my seeds arive in the next week or so.
 
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midgaar

Active Member
Your ballast will take a normal MH bulb. It'll have a switch somewhere that will switch it from HPS or MH mode. I have a 4" flange carbon scrubber with a 4" 170cfm inline fan and it works well for the space. I kind of wish I would have gotten the bigger 6" flange scruuber and fan tho.
 
Eharmony420

Eharmony420

Well-Known Member
cooltube ? for my 400 i know i need one in my bud box! order now and u can start growing the same day as yer ballast, htg is good like that with shipping. I got the euro hood inline as it is supposed to compete with cool tube. setup is a snap.:)
 
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