Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

[messn'n'gommin']

The 3X4 area is strictly for veg and nothing else. I know I could use 4 foot flouros. But I was thinking the CMHs would be better plus with 2 I like the idea of being able to shut one off

My apologies, I misunderstood. Still, I can empathize to a certain extent. I would prefer to use a small wattage CMH for a mother/clone cab, but being the cheap bastid I am, it's cfl's.

Personally, I think you will love the CMH for veg. I have heard little negative on them when compared to MH. Plus, the CMH has a much longer life and higher lumen maintenance. For the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone would choose MH over CMH. But, that's just me.

 

[Delta223]

Whiterasta,

Wow! Just wow. I'm jumping on the wagon because those plants look beautiful!

I'm doing a vertical grow (plants in columns arranged in a cylinder around a central light column) I have 4 lights to work with, all 250w.

What do you think would be more optimal:

-750w HPS and 250w CMH

or

-500w HPS and 500w CMH

 

[whiterasta]

You know I think the 1:3 ratio would show good results I am much more convinced the 1:1 would show as good or better. Thing about CMH is they are cheaper than a good quality horticultural HPS so for the price just above a good hortHPS you can have two CMH.
Thing is as I see it their is a sweet spot mixture of CMH for full spectrum and HPS for penetrating power in a known grow peak to get into your canopy. I chose to use the max watt mix of 400w and 1000w and am seeing a big difference with no other changes.
saying that I think their may be "blends" that rock way harder. After I burn up the couple cases of HPS I have a hunch a dual arc 600/400 could be even better and will give them a go.
SO I would say this get two CMH and try both on the same setup the 3:1 one cycle and the 1:1 the next. I would when running the 3:1 vertically to place the CMH where it shines into the HPS and blends as much as possible so you dont get one level growing CMH and the rest HPS.
Post what you do and how it goes! We are the learning curve with this light.
WR

 

[Delta223]

Will do! The first test will be on 3 Eye Hortilux Super HPS and 1 Philips CMH since i already have the Hortilux's coming in. Then on the next cycle I can easily swap out an HPS for a CMH and compare results. I'll be sure to place the bulbs in alternating order for a good mix.

 

[Quazi]

The CMH makes trichomes grow on all sides of the leaves. Any doubts about bulk have been completely smashed too.

Here's Afghooey and Chocolate Thai at 7 weeks so you can see the monster colas on these kids:

Here's some Afghooey for more of that famous trichome production. Like I said, on both sides of the leaves:

All from just 400W of love... amazing

Good luck in your travels!

-Q

 

[messn'n'gommin']

It's easy to see why HIGH TIMES doesn't recommend them. The lying corporate whore sellouts (and that's a slander on whores everywhere)!

 

[whiterasta]

Yeah, that spectrum at that price with that stability of output they stand to really cut into the quick change they are making from replacement bulbs. I mean 50$ for a better SPD and PAR than anything they are selling for 100 has gotta hurt. Even phillips is holding back on a horticultural line based on CMH architecture.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

I call that a bargain...the best, I ever had.. .. ... ..

400 CMH...I try to help, the blind to see the light

 

[NHMI]

I love my CMH, I wish I had start all my plants with it....gotta order another to replace my other 400w HPS...

 

[bipotato]

Still nothing bigger than 400w?

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

Still

 

[dman16]

Im looking to add some supplemental lighting to my garden what are the options for CMH from 150W down…..links would be amazing, ive done some searching but im confused about the ballasts for the small ones…. thanks guys

 

[Ty_Kaycha]

The smaller ones require pulse MH. Make sure the ballast states Pulse.

 

[NagChampa]

Ok I was going to make a new thread but I saw this sticky and think it's more appropriate to post here. Forgive me if the info is out there. I'm new to the site and finding my way around still.

I've been looking a lot trying to find info on 150w CMH bulbs for HPS ballasts.

After researching the subject I think I've confused myself even more. I've found this bulb
http://www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bul...4Pa38Ta3aKa3n0

But I cant find an ANSI code to tell me what kind of ballast to use. Someone was telling me all CMH under 250w are MH ballast and above 250w are HPS ballast. I know this used to be true but I tihnk they made some new bulbs?

Also same/similar bulb here

http://greenshop.hu/index.php?page=s...mart&Itemid=38

states that it can be used in HPS ballast, yet I read straight from GE that their 'constantcolor' line ranges from 20-150w and says:
ConstantColor CMH lamps require the same type of ballasts
as are used for conventional quartz metal halide
lamps of the same nominal lamp power. These lamps are
compatible with IEC and ANSI type ballasts manufactured
for metal halide lamps.

Aaaand another bulb here, not GE or Phillips. Pretty obvious it states can use in HPS (ANSI s55)

http://wicexchange.com/pid-59-150w-c...p-tubular.html

If anyone is knowledgable about this help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sparky 6]

Ok I was going to make a new thread but I saw this sticky and think it's more appropriate to post here. Forgive me if the info is out there. I'm new to the site and finding my way around still.

I've been looking a lot trying to find info on 150w CMH bulbs for HPS ballasts.

After researching the subject I think I've confused myself even more. I've found this bulb
http://www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bul...4Pa38Ta3aKa3n0

But I cant find an ANSI code to tell me what kind of ballast to use. Someone was telling me all CMH under 250w are MH ballast and above 250w are HPS ballast. I know this used to be true but I tihnk they made some new bulbs?

Also same/similar bulb here

http://greenshop.hu/index.php?page=s...mart&Itemid=38

states that it can be used in HPS ballast, yet I read straight from GE that their 'constantcolor' line ranges from 20-150w and says:
ConstantColor CMH lamps require the same type of ballasts
as are used for conventional quartz metal halide
lamps of the same nominal lamp power. These lamps are
compatible with IEC and ANSI type ballasts manufactured
for metal halide lamps.

Aaaand another bulb here, not GE or Phillips. Pretty obvious it states can use in HPS (ANSI s55)

http://wicexchange.com/pid-59-150w-c...p-tubular.html

If anyone is knowledgable about this help would be greatly appreciated.

M102 Pulse Start Metal Halide ballast- make sure it's a pulse start one though.

 

[mahalo]

I've read most of this thread..... WOW.
I have just seen a ? elsewhere, which i too would like to know:

Will a 400 watt magnetic switchable (HPS-MH) ballast work with the 400 watt CMH?

 

[NagChampa]

In your case, yes, mahalo

You'd run it in HPS mode

 

[NagChampa]

M102 Pulse Start Metal Halide ballast- make sure it's a pulse start one though.

I have 2 bulbs listed there claiming to use a 150w HPS (s55 ANSI). My question is did they come out with new bulbs? Like they just came out with a 150w hps-mh conversion bulb

Seems like my links arent working like they should so heres a clean spec sheet of what I'm looking at

http://www.venturelightingeurope.com/pdf/data/en/200/x/00026.pdf

 

[Sparky 6]

I have 2 bulbs listed there claiming to use a 150w HPS (s55 ANSI). My question is did they come out with new bulbs? Like they just came out with a 150w hps-mh conversion bulb

I don't know. Looks like you're in Europe? I'm in the States, so we get something totally different anyway. It's been recommended in this thread to stick with the mastercolor ones for horticulture. I know it's a long read but start at the beginning and read this whole thread- the answer is in here. Or you could try to do some searches in it.

 

[NagChampa]

I don't know. Looks like you're in Europe? I'm in the States, so we get something totally different anyway. It's been recommended in this thread to stick with the mastercolor ones for horticulture. I know it's a long read but start at the beginning and read this whole thread- the answer is in here. Or you could try to do some searches in it.

Naa, I live in the states. Was just looking at some europe shops.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but all the GE and Phillips 150w CMH bulbs run off pulse start MH ballasts.

Venture Lighting (large company specializing in pulse start MH ballasts) lists a 150w CMH bulb for use in HPS ballasts. http://www.venturelightingeurope.com/pdf/data/en/200/x/00026.pdf

I would hope they know what they're talking about