400w Lighting, Need advice! HPS/MH

[coldwater]

Here is the scoop,
I am looking into buying a 400w Digital HPS/MH light system. I want to know, What is good? Oh, and from people with some first hand experience (hehehe...). And this is my first grow. Right now I have them growing under 6 100w Daylight CFLs. I want to give them a newer better life.

-A 400w Digital or Magnetic ballast? The big dispute Magnetic or Digital.
-What is better for the veg. cycle HPS or a MH bulb and same for the flowering stage.
-Blue light good for Veg?
-Red good for Flower?

 

[FreezerBoy]

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=72215

 

[messn'n'gommin']

I echo FreezerBoy's preference. I like them almost as much. However, you have to do what is right for you. MH and HPS have done the job for years.

That being said, I would also make a small addition. Don't let the title fool you, the first half of this thread is as informative as any grow guide I have seen...anywhere!

Starting a Med Cab
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=89615

Namaste, mess

 

[coldwater]

Thank you,
That is all good but it still did not answer my questions fully. Unless you are trying to tell me that the CMH is the way to be looking.

I want to know. If I want to spend no more then $300 and want to stay with the 400watts and give my plants the best possible growth. What should I be looking at? HPS or MH, or only HPS. This goes the same for looking at the ballast to run the bulb. Magnetic or digital?

Is digital really a good proven power source for a 400w HPS/MH system?

Thank you all,
Coldwater

 

[AndreNicky]

For 300 u could probally get a decent digital 400w with hps and MH conversion bulb, check out htg supply on ebay

 

[One Love]

400w digital ballasts work with both HPS and MH bulbs. i know a lot of people have had problems with lumatek, but a lot of people say that they love them. search the web for good deals...
p.s. read more and you will learn more

 

[FreezerBoy]

That is all good but it still did not answer my questions fully. Unless you are trying to tell me that the CMH is the way to be looking.

MH is for blue light. CMH has more blue than MH. HPS is for red light. CMH has more red than HPS. At 400 watts or less, whatever you want MH or HPS for, CMH does it better. One lamp, one ballast, no switching, cooler too.

 

[Quazi]

Yup.

What he's trying to say is: CMH is definitely the way to go if you're going for a 400W or a 250W.

1) Runs on regular HPS magnetic ballast
2) Much fuller spectrum than HPS, MH, or even some (if not most) of the HPS conversion bulbs
3) Runs cooler

Unfortunately, you can't get a CMH bigger than 400, that's why you don't see them as often. In addition, you don't see CMH smaller than 250, because then it requires a special ballast instead of a plain ol' magnetic HPS ballast.

If you need more proof then just take one look at FreezerBoy's roots:

'nuff said.

(Disclaimer: just because you go CMH, doesn't mean you're going to get results like FreezerBoy, but you can see what it's capable of)



-Q

 

[messn'n'gommin']

Thank you,
That is all good but it still did not answer my questions fully. Unless you are trying to tell me that the CMH is the way to be looking.

I want to know. If I want to spend no more then $300 and want to stay with the 400watts and give my plants the best possible growth. What should I be looking at? HPS or MH, or only HPS. This goes the same for looking at the ballast to run the bulb. Magnetic or digital?

Is digital really a good proven power source for a 400w HPS/MH system?

Thank you all,
Coldwater

One bulb, one ballast and if you're handy, relatively cheap to setup. In a 2'X4' closet, I am using two 250W CMH bulbs, two 250W HPS core and coil ballasts, four bread/loaf pans, two polished aluminum reflectors with ceramic mogul sockets, 25 ft heavy duty extension cord, male and female plugs (I already had the nuts, bolts, and washers, wire nuts and computer fans with "quick connect" electrical connectors) for, give or take $5, about $275.

Personally, I recommend the CMH bulb to everyone. But, not everyone shares my goals, methods, or circumstances and that is why I don't push anyone into using the CMH, but, I do suggest that they give it all due consideration. MH and HPS have been used successfully for many years and for some years to come. I just think that the CMH will eventually replace the old standards in the grow room (barring something revolutionary or as good but cheaper).

Namaste, mess

Edit: Changed "$175" to "$275" ( Stoners! )

mess

 

[coldwater]

This news on the CMH bulb has really got me looking in a new direction. Sounds like to me that this might be the way I will end up going and save money doing so and get some better results.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Truth in advertising. I've never done the MH thing. I was a hairsbreadth away from going the switchable ballast route when I stumbled across the CMH thread. I also admit to being a lazy grower. Convenience is huge for me. I would need guarantees of tremendous improvement before I'd give up the CMH. Fortunately, the evidence I've seen favors CMH.

I realize the CMH thread's huge but, read enough to get a grasp on it. Then, buy whatever you want, comfortable in the knowledge you've made an informed decision.

 

[coldwater]

Well...

I just ordered my new light setup! 400w HPS magnetic ballast and a 400w CMH bulb! Im going to give it a shot and see where the hell it takes me. I should get it by the end of this week. Im so happy! They are just now ready to start flowering. They have been growing their whole life under 6 100w CFLs. Its time for a new life, a better life.

The only thing that sucks now is im out of money and out of smoke.

I guess its just time for the waiting game.

Thanks for the advice all! Have a pleasant trip

 

[FreezerBoy]

Well, I hope you can scrounge up a buck for a pair of shades. I thought my 250 was blinding. Color me jealous.