I currently have your basic double-wide wardrobe, about 6 sq ft, with two 250-w MH bulbs (500 w total). I use 10,000 K bulbs for veg and 6500 K bulbs for flower. But I think my lights are the limiting factor in my set up. I just can't get big buds no matter how big and healthy my plants are.
I only have the one cabinet which is not subdivided, so I'd like to have lighting that can be used for both veg and flower. Ideally, I'd just have to swap bulbs like I do now. I also think I can replace the two 250 watters with a single 400 w light and be better off with a more appropriate spectrum. Plus, one bulb would be cheaper and put out less heat than two.
I've been reading a lot about CMH and think I'd really like to go with that type of lighting. Phillips seems to have the best spectrum of the CMHs. But those use an HPS ballast, and I don't know what I could then use for veg. Unless I get one of those two-way ballasts (MH/HPS) which would let me use MH for veg and CMH for flower.
My problem is I can't seem to figure out what lamps work with what ballasts. The hydro web sites are never quite clear on that, nor are the bulb manufacturers. And I don't want to build my own system.
So I'd appreciate your recommendations. And please be specific, particular bulb/ballast combinations would be most helpful.
I only have the one cabinet which is not subdivided, so I'd like to have lighting that can be used for both veg and flower. Ideally, I'd just have to swap bulbs like I do now. I also think I can replace the two 250 watters with a single 400 w light and be better off with a more appropriate spectrum. Plus, one bulb would be cheaper and put out less heat than two.
I've been reading a lot about CMH and think I'd really like to go with that type of lighting. Phillips seems to have the best spectrum of the CMHs. But those use an HPS ballast, and I don't know what I could then use for veg. Unless I get one of those two-way ballasts (MH/HPS) which would let me use MH for veg and CMH for flower.
My problem is I can't seem to figure out what lamps work with what ballasts. The hydro web sites are never quite clear on that, nor are the bulb manufacturers. And I don't want to build my own system.
So I'd appreciate your recommendations. And please be specific, particular bulb/ballast combinations would be most helpful.