Guess I have a problem

[flipAcoin]

So I'm planning to start my first grow, but I am a bit skeptical about some things. First, my grow room is pretty small, like 80x50x80 (cm). I am using a 250W HPS with a 400W ballast. Now before everyone starts to post things like "this doesn't work" or "the bulb will explode", it normally won't have any problems, the 400W ballast just reduced the life time of the 250W bulb and I think I get a few more lumens. Anyway, that's not my point here, the thing is I want to make a SCROG with GHS Lemon Skunk, but I don't know when to switch to 12/12, because the plant shouldn't grow too tall due to the small space. I'm planning to cool the bulb with two fans directly hanging at the reflector, hope that this works because I don't have the $$ for a CT.
I know the room is too small for growing, but I don't have any other option, so I got to make the best out of it. In my case, would you recommend growing one or two plants simultaneously?

 

[HempAlchemist]

well if your going to scrog you can get away with just one plant and let it veg long enough to fill the screen 1/2 to 3/4 full before flipping to 12/12 light.
with that being said, dont you think that running a 250w on a 400w ballast is a little unsafe?!?! safety > pot IMO and electricity is not something so be messing around with. please do yourself and anyone else that you live with a favor and find another ballast for your 250w bulb or figure out a way to cool a 400w bulb
not trying to burst your bubble, but dont want to hear of a fellow grower getting hurt over something so simple to prevent
HA

 

[flipAcoin]

hey man, thanks for the reply, well I asked the employee at the store and he told me that there won't be any problems with this setup. I also asked another guy from another store, where they sell only bulbs and he told me about the same things, he just added that the life time of the bulb will reduce, but he didn't say that the bulb would explode or something like this. But thank you for pointing me to this, I will firstly try the lamp on a safe place (outdoors) and if it works, I'm gonna use it, if not, I'm gonna burn the grow shop of this guy down, no joke . My main worry is the heat, I hope that two PC fans + 1 normal desk fan (about 6" in diameter) will sufficiently cool down the lamp. Let's see, hope that everything goes well, I'll let ya know!

 

[flipAcoin]

OK I tried the bulb and everything seem to work fine, I let it burn for 5 minutes then I turned it off. Nothing exploded , but one thing got me thinking a bit. Is it normal for an HPS bulb to get very hot in such a short amount of time (5 minutes)? I mean I couldn't even get the bulb out of the socket because it was pretty hot, not burning hot, but definitely hotter than normal bulbs. Is that ok for an HPS? It's the first time I have such a light, that's why I'm asking,
Thanks!

 

[HempAlchemist]

the bulbs do get hot, but i dont that it should be that hot in only 5min. also 5min isnt that long of a time to test considering your gunna be having that light on 12hrs a day, everyday. i think the best you can expect is an over heating bulb that will need to be cooled more than normal and die much faster. but like i said i think it would be best for you to get a propper bulb or replace the ballast. less than $100 is not that much to spend for piece of mind. also you might want to look into a CHM bulb vs. a HPS bulb since it sounds like u have only one area to veg and flower and a CHM bulb has a better spectrum for both stages and also runs a lil cooler than a HPS of the same wattage.
good luck and be safe
HA

 

[RandomGuy00001]

OK I tried the bulb and everything seem to work fine, I let it burn for 5 minutes then I turned it off. Nothing exploded , but one thing got me thinking a bit. Is it normal for an HPS bulb to get very hot in such a short amount of time (5 minutes)? I mean I couldn't even get the bulb out of the socket because it was pretty hot, not burning hot, but definitely hotter than normal bulbs. Is that ok for an HPS? It's the first time I have such a light, that's why I'm asking,
Thanks!

I dont care if your a new grower. I dont care if u are a pro. I dont care if your excited and that's why your being irrational ... But DUDE! listen to these people. DO NOT put that 250 bulb on the 400 ballast again. They make 'dim-able' ballast for just such an application. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND I CANNOT URGE YOU STRONG ENOUGH TO STOP IT!!

I am trying to give constructive criticism .. but you've never used 'such a light' before .... lots of us have and are telling you, informing you, making you 100% aware this is not safe.

I hope you put more effort into SAFETY and security.

Best Regards
--RG1

 

[HorseMouth]

A great man once said "Cheapness is NOT a sense". Get the right Ballast for the right bulb, and vice versa. Burning down your abode is the WORST thing you could do and firing that 250 bulb with a 400 ballast is the recipe.

And a minute test is a JOKE. Get a Thermometer, put it where you 'think' the top of the plant will be, turn on your ballast with whatever bulb you think you will use and let it run for HOURS. Watch carefully! Do experiments like putting fans in different places and blowing in different spots. Be thoughtful and think about what you are doing.

'Employee at a store' is the biggest fuck up of all time. I've heard more misinformation spread like that then anything else.

 

[flipAcoin]

I think I found a way to manage my lightning. Now there's another problem, which in fact is a really serious problem. I read somewhere that the cannabis plant is leaving a toxic gas, or something like this in the air, which can kill you :O. Is that correct? I'm planning to place the growbox in a closed room with no windows which is actually my gym, too and I don't wanna risk my health.

 

[Nicoli]

I think I found a way to manage my lightning. Now there's another problem, which in fact is a really serious problem. I read somewhere that the cannabis plant is leaving a toxic gas, or something like this in the air, which can kill you :O. Is that correct? I'm planning to place the growbox in a closed room with no windows which is actually my gym, too and I don't wanna risk my health.

ROFL. what?

No, cannabis does not put off toxic gas. Lol.

Try smoking it sometime though

 

[Japanfreakier]

The gas was me, sorry.

 

[!!!]

PC fans aren't enough to cool a 250w. Never use the wrong bulb for the ballast. Even if it works, unless you're gonna be at the grow area 24/7 and can monitor it, why risk it?

If your place catches on fire keep in mind that law enforcement will NOT go easy on you no matter how tiny your grow is, and your insurance will not cover shit!

Sell whatever you bought and buy an ounce and a vaporizer until you can get the proper equipment to grow. If you're adamant about growing perhaps start with fluorescent lighting. See the fluorescent/CFL club pics ("Flower Pix" forum) - they grow excellent bud. Yield sucks but quality is great.

 

[flipAcoin]

I'm not kiddin' the post is here in the forum, I'm searching it if I find it I'll post the link here...

 

[kannubis]

Maybe its talking about CO2?

 

[flipAcoin]

I don't think it's CO2, though it can cause issues too. I read that if you cultivate marijuana e.g. in a park there would be a risk for the people who are walking there. A park is outdoor, so the CO2 shouldn't be the problem... damn WHY DO I HAVE TO DELETE MY BROWSING HISTORY EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE PC!!! I'm fucking paranoid...

 

[Nicoli]

Well whatever you read was complete bullshit.



Grow on

 

[Justin_Credible]

OK I tried the bulb and everything seem to work fine, I let it burn for 5 minutes then I turned it off. Nothing exploded , but one thing got me thinking a bit. Is it normal for an HPS bulb to get very hot in such a short amount of time (5 minutes)? I mean I couldn't even get the bulb out of the socket because it was pretty hot, not burning hot, but definitely hotter than normal bulbs. Is that ok for an HPS? It's the first time I have such a light, that's why I'm asking,
Thanks!

I tried this once, what happened to me was the bulb about two weeks in at 24/0 lighting started to flicker...then about another week later it died....

Might just have been the situation I was in, but do not think you want to run with the 400 w ballast and 250 w bulb....might be a waste of money in the long run.

 

[flipAcoin]

Well whatever you read was complete bullshit.



Grow on

That's what I hope!

 

[ddrew]

You are thinking of ozone.

You know what will release a ton of toxic smoke though?
Burning your house down.
Get the right bulb and ballast

 

[RandomGuy00001]

I think I found a way to manage my lightning. Now there's another problem, which in fact is a really serious problem. I read somewhere that the cannabis plant is leaving a toxic gas, or something like this in the air, which can kill you :O. Is that correct? I'm planning to place the growbox in a closed room with no windows which is actually my gym, too and I don't wanna risk my health.

I'm not asking, but I sincerly hope your way of managing lighting is using the corect bulb, with the correct ballast. Props for being paranoid about browsing history, be just as paranoid 'bout not roastin' your homestead down, and your gonna have some fun!

Best of luck!

--RG1

 

[Phedrosbenny]

I would switch to 12/12 when they were branchy enough for me.When they look like they have vegged to where you want then to be in size...Then flip them to 12/12.If you dont want to do it that way..Give them 4 weeks veg then flip them.