Club 600

AlphaPhase

Well-Known Member
I haven't read about that one bman, but someone just got busted with 500 pounds and 2000 plants about 20 minutes from my house last week. Back where I lived in NY a few people got busted with a couple 100 pounds and one guy had a body buried in his back yard. Small town USA, whoda thought
 

GemuGrows

Well-Known Member
Hey everybody I've been shopping around trying to decide which 600w hps setup to buy, i'm growing on a budget for this moment and i'm sure any 600w hps will kick my 200w T-5's ass. My budget isn't high and I won't be ordering online, which leaves me with only a few options that local shops carry.

First off I'm mainly looking for input on these two things.
-I have an understanding of the differences of magnetic vs digital ballasts, but have not found anything to make me really want to go for one or the other. If somebody could share some of their experiences with digital ballasts vs magnetic ballasts that would be awesome
-There are three reflectors available, the Econowing, the Sun star, and the Yieldmaster. I don't have an exhaust tube to run through the light itself so having room for it on the reflector is not currently relevant to me. Which reflector would be best for now?

There are only a few setups available in my price range of $180-$280ish + tax. For me this is a big purchase so I want to get the best bang for my buck. The setups I was looking at include:

+Magnetic Ballast systems:
- Complete system includes a 600 Watt HPS Sun System Hardcore ballast, Econowing reflector, and 600 Watt Ultrasun HPS lamp. ($189.95 + tax)
-Complete system includes a 600 Watt HPS Sun System Hardcore ballast, Sun Star reflector, and 600 Watt Ultrasun HPS lamp. (239.95 + tax)
- Complete system includes a 600 Watt HPS Sun System Hardcore ballast, Yieldmaster reflector, and 600 Watt Ultrasun HPS lamp. (239.95 + tax)
^The only difference in these three being the hood. So if I went with one of these three the only argument would be "Econowing vs Sun star vs Yieldmaster reflector.

+Digital ballast systems
-Complete system includes a 400/600 Watt Sun System Galaxy Grow Amp switchable ballast, Econowing reflector, and 600 Watt Ultrasun HPS lamp. (264.95+ tax)
-Complete system includes a 400/600 Watt Sun System Galaxy Grow Amp switchable ballast, Sun Star 6" reflector, and 600 Watt Ultrasun HPS lamp. (319.95 + tax)
-Complete system includes a 400/600 Watt Sun System Galaxy Grow Amp switchable ballast, Yieldmaster 6" reflector, and 600 Watt Ultrasun HPS lamp. (329.95 + tax)
^Once again the only difference being the hood, with the same hoods available.

So if I could have some help on deciding what to buy that would be awesome! I will have money for upgrades in the future, but for now cash is tight and I don't feel like flowering with my T-5 again (despite fantastic bud quality results, the yield was still fluorescent)
 

GemuGrows

Well-Known Member
Have you tried craigslist? Sometimes you can find some good deals. I got a 1000w aircooled hood and mag ballast with a hotrilux eye bulb for $150. I would go with magnetic, less problems can go wrong, they last longer too.
Yeah I checked around on craigslist and ebay. While funds are tight I would still drop an extra $120+ to buy new vs used or off ebay. Craigslist in my area only had one light up and the person put it for sale like 2 months ago XD. I'm really just selling off a chunk of an old collection that sits around to buy my light, I would not mind keeping some of my collection, but I would rather have a new light (:
 

TheBman24

Well-Known Member
I haven't read about that one bman, but someone just got busted with 500 pounds and 2000 plants about 20 minutes from my house last week. Back where I lived in NY a few people got busted with a couple 100 pounds and one guy had a body buried in his back yard. Small town USA, whoda thought
Holy cow talk about a loss 2000 plants!?
 

DST

Well-Known Member
@GemuGrows personally just use magnetic and have never had any issues. If you do not have a vent for the lamp then you might as well get the Econowing as the others need ducting attached to exhaust by the looks of things.
IfF you are not exhausting the light, with a 600w you should have good ventilation in the room. Good luck.
 

AlphaPhase

Well-Known Member
I hear ya, the new light will be worth it for sure. Some digital ballasts are dimmable, meaning you can dim the bulb from and use less electric when your vegging to save electric, very nice feature, but I still like the old magnetic style better. I've had magnetic ballasts for 10 years that still worked like the day I got it.
 
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