well i am trying to find a cheap hps system, so far the cheapest for a 400w hps is 119You could also use the flouro's you currently have for supplemental lighting and a better spectrum, just make sure they are 6500K and they will really compliment your HPS!
ya but money is an issue, i hope i can find someone who has a used one they will sell meThey also have enhanced spectrum Hps bulbs, I think hortilux makes em, they are supposed to have a more broad spectrum and more energy in the blue range, something to think about if your using just the HPS.
I know that the conversion bulb is stronger then a MH of that same Wattage. But not as many lumens as the HPS bulb designed for the ballest.The conversion bulb that I have has a 10% increase in lumen output than a standard 400 W MH ballast. It is the brightest 400W MH spectrum you can put on your plants...
From the manufacturer.... And from testing, I concur....
Hortilux 400 watt conversion HPS to MH
This bulb allows you to get the Spectrum of a metal halide but let you use an HPS ballast i your hydroponic garden.
This eliminates the need to purchase a metal halide ballast.
You can now do both veg and bloom on the same ballast.
It is the ultimate money saver aswell as an ultimate bulb.
This bulb will last you 3 times longer then a standard 400 watt MH bulb.
It wil laso put more then 10% output then a standard metal halide bulb.
I know that the conversion bulb is stronger then a MH of that same Wattage. But not as many lumens as the HPS bulb designed for the ballest.
If I were trying to sell you a conversion bulb, I would be claiming the same thing you quoted from the mfg. I wouldn't bet my bank account on it lasting 3 times longer though. I have had terrable luck with MH conversion bulbs. Put it up next to a standard MH bulb, and you will see what I'm talking about. The light isn't glowing as powerful in the conversion bulbs.
so should i get a mh or a hps, caues both seem to do a good jobWell, this one for me shines breighter than me first 400 W MH, but that is personal experience.
It does not light up as bright as the HPS, but it has a better kelvin rating for the vegetative growth of plants.
Several members have already posted pros and cons for each type of bulb/ballast.so should i get a mh or a hps, caues both seem to do a good job
when should i stop using the fluro'syes, that will work just fine...
what will that do to my electric bill, do hps use a lotYou can use them the whole way through
they use whatever wattage you decide to use....
A normal heater will use 1500W, a small HPS from 250-400W.... Whatever you buy is whatever you use in power...