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400 watt Metal Halide and HPS bulb selection help?

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OttoGrower

New member
Looks like I am way behind the curve here with everyone going to led's,but I have run what I brung.:)


I have a couple of digi 400 ballasts,but could sure use some advice on what to buy for bulbs.I looked at 1000bulbs for 2700k hps and 6500k MH bulbs,but everything seems to be 2000-2100k and a lot of 4200k bulbs,and only one 6500k.


I can't afford Eye Hortilux,or any of those elite bulbs,so shopping at 1000bulbs gives me a few options for more affordable lighting.I don't know that I am too interested in Vivosun,or Ipower,but I am open to suggestions.


Should I just be buying 4200k as a reasonable do-it-all bulb?


Thanks for any advice.
 
O

OttoGrower

New member
I can't be the only 1 left using HID,right?Surely someone here can help me make some enlightened choices,so I can be growin me some good pots.:biggrin:
 
thailer

thailer

Well-known member
i bought used lights for cheap. there's some hydro stores that have used stuff or i saw some on offerup or CL. i dunno if cost is holding you back. i haven't ever tried anything other than 2700 or 6500 HID bulbs. i bet if the selection is low, it's due to low demand for the bulbs so maybe soon you'll have to upgrade to CMH or LED but used lights have been the cheapest way for me to upgrade when i had a mag ballast break.

i checked and the 6500 is of course eye hortilux $103. i bought a 1000w double ended ballast and hood for $125 that came with a new bulb and others. so i dunno if that is something you considered.
 
zeke99

zeke99

Active member
The 400w HPS from Hortilux is $65 on 1000 bulbs.com. I just want to make sure, you don't have $65?
 
O

OttoGrower

New member
Thanks to all who have replied thus far.I do appreciate the suggestions on what to buy,but I am also interested in what happened to the 2700k and 6500k bulbs.


In searching Bulbs.com,I noticed that there were no 2700k at all,and only 1 6500k.Most of the HPS offerings were 2000-2100,and then 4000-4200k.Quite a difference from last time I shopped for bulbs.


I don't think I would be inclined to buy used bulbs,given the inexpensive prices for new bulbs.


On the other hand,I could buy several new bulbs for the cost of a new Hortilux.I'm not saying other folks shouldn't buy those,just that I am not sure that the outcome is worth the outlay.:biggrin:


If I were commercial,then I would be interested in high end bulbs,but if I were growing for production,I wouldn't be using 400's.Lol


I would be interested in anyones take on what to use for HPS and for MH,given the limited choices remaining.


Thanks.
 
indagroove

indagroove

Well-known member
Veteran
OttoGrower said:
Thanks to all who have replied thus far.I do appreciate the suggestions on what to buy,but I am also interested in what happened to the 2700k and 6500k bulbs.


In searching Bulbs.com,I noticed that there were no 2700k at all,and only 1 6500k.Most of the HPS offerings were 2000-2100,and then 4000-4200k.Quite a difference from last time I shopped for bulbs.


I don't think I would be inclined to buy used bulbs,given the inexpensive prices for new bulbs.


On the other hand,I could buy several new bulbs for the cost of a new Hortilux.I'm not saying other folks shouldn't buy those,just that I am not sure that the outcome is worth the outlay.:biggrin:


If I were commercial,then I would be interested in high end bulbs,but if I were growing for production,I wouldn't be using 400's.Lol


I would be interested in anyones take on what to use for HPS and for MH,given the limited choices remaining.


Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've spent the money on hortilux in the past, but frankly I didn't see much difference in the final product or yield using hortilux lamps vs $10 Philips, GE, or Eiko lamps. As far as color temp, why are you wanting 2700's? 2100's will have more of the red light we want for flowering. As far as the 6500's, I personally prefer to veg with floros instead of using all that power with metal halide in veg.
 
O

OttoGrower

New member
indagroove said:
I've spent the money on hortilux in the past, but frankly I didn't see much difference in the final product or yield using hortilux lamps vs $10 Philips, GE, or Eiko lamps. As far as color temp, why are you wanting 2700's? 2100's will have more of the red light we want for flowering. As far as the 6500's, I personally prefer to veg with floros instead of using all that power with metal halide in veg.
Click to expand...




My sentiment exactly with regards to higher end lamps.It's just me,and if I can't see a difference,why spend the extra?


2700k were the goto lamps to use just a short time ago.It wasn't that I wanted 2700k and 6500k,it's that I wondered why I could no longer find any available,and what they might have been replaced with.



I also agree with your vegging with floros statement.But would appreciate if anyone could tell me what bulbs are now being used for veg.(out of curiosity mainly)4000-4200k would be an in between range I would think?


Thanks for the response.That was very helpful.
 
E

ESTERCHASER

welp sorry to say i ran 600w x 4 eye hortilux in kooltubes with PHENOMENOL results! full spectrum isnt impossible with hid but its expensive
 
gardener60

gardener60

Active member
For what it is worth. I veg with a 4ft. 2 bulb T-8 64 watts 5000k. I will be changing everything within a month. I am flowering with a 8 bulb T-5 432 Watts 3000k. I have used that for awhile now. Use what you got until you can do better or want a new change. Just my 2 cents.
 
G.O. Joe

G.O. Joe

Well-known member
Veteran
My 430W magnetic ballast and $45 now Son Agro bulbs are fine for veg or flower - though I have used hardware store 400's for flower. I assume they work in 400W digital ballasts.
 
gladysvjubb

gladysvjubb

Active member
Veteran
1.) Yes. You are way the fuck behind the curve. Dump those energy sucking, heat producing old pieces of shit.
2.) Go to Home Depot or order online a $99 Commercial Electric High Bay LED.
I now have 6 of them. The results are spectacular. Deep penetration of light.
3.)Use Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil.
4.) Grab Exhale CO2 generators. They last about 6 months and the results are spectacular. I use 2.
5.) Use 2 -3 gallon pots.
All items can be procured via ebay or amazon.
This is all you need to grow fucking spectacular crops.
 
Lrus007

Lrus007

Well-known member
Veteran
you can buy the cheap bulbs and replace more often.
i like sylvania bulbs. was only sylvania and ge bulbs long ago.
if you go to amazon you will see 1000 bulbs lists bulbs there.
the shipping is cheaper that way. good luck
 
gladysvjubb

gladysvjubb

Active member
Veteran
Fox Farms Ocean Forest

Fox Farms Ocean Forest

zachrockbadenof said:
WOW... thats cheap- i get em for 17.50, n thought that was a deal... 10bucks is a no-brainer
Click to expand...

I just paid 16 a 1.5 cu ft bag delivered. That is a deal to me!!! The soil is a miracle mix. I have been growing in Pro-Mix for about 40 years. This Fox Farm Ocean Forest is flooring me. Spectacular results. Immediate response. It gives them everything they want from the get go. It is now my soil of choice.
 
E

ESTERCHASER

indagroove said:
No reason to. I get FFOF for $10 a 1.5 cu ft bag. Stuff is great and is zero effort.
Click to expand...

yeah i can get maple syrup from the grocery store that i believe is great cause ive never had REAL DEAL syrup.....then i try something from a healthy sugarbush and realize ive been driving a ford escort all the while thinking i was in a porsche ruf 4, what you see as cheap and great i see as helping the prob get worse! perspectives and stuff. then again i digress i dont have christmas trees cause i think its a waste of a good conifer to cut it down in the prime of its life so it can be a living room ornament for a 3-4 week period. perspectives lol
 
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