Confused about lighting.

[transposon]

I am debating a first grow. But to be honest I am overwhelmed by all the lighting options. I was tempted to do all CFL but the HID lighting looks so much better.

What kind of bulb is best for flowering? HPS, CMH, or PSMH? I plan on using a 250W bulb.

 

[doobiee]

MH for VEG
HPS for FLOWERING

check this link... you cant beat this...
http://htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47981

that is the way to go... you can get HPS and MH conversion bulbs, this means you can use the which ever bulb you want in the fixture

 

[la9]

Easy as pie, 2 flourescent shop lights with cool white bulbs to veg. 4 bulbs 160 watts. Then you 250 watt HPS and you are all set, although if you can affford it you might as well get a 400 watt HPS. That's all you need, now get growing !!!!

 

[richjames]

Doobie's got it right there^^^ HTGSUPPLY.COM....
... on another note, u don't HAVE to switch bulbs around and all that, but it is the optimal way to go.... if u got the $$.... I run a couple cfl's for seedlings, then str8 hps, veggin and flowerin.

 

[haze2]

Hey bro check out discount-hydro.com you want a good hortilux bulb SHPS and a MH ( Flower and vegg ) those bulbs are the shit dude. Ill never grow with anything but those.

 

[la9]

If you order from HTG be aware that if you are buying the HTG brand that their bulbs suck big time, I just read another thread about the bulb burning out in the first week. So if you want the hassle or want to order another name brand bulb it's up to you.

I recommend HIDHUT, but the choice is yours, I don't care were anyone orders from.

 

[LUDACRIS]

Hey bro check out discount-hydro.com you want a good hortilux bulb SHPS and a MH ( Flower and vegg ) those bulbs are the shit dude. Ill never grow with anything but those.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
definatelly one bulb does all.
(400w sunmaster/dual spectrum).
BIG BAD LUDA,

 

[Twistyman]

If you can't do HPS because of $$ or heat issues go with T5's.. they work great for both veg & flower.. granted HID IS better but really I was impressed with them..
these are at 4 weeks with t5 & t12.. I'd use T's for veg at least... cheaper and easier than MH...Luck.

 

[LUDACRIS]

http://www.growell.co.uk/p/5540/Sunmaster-Lamps.html

best choice you can ever choose.
(PROOF).

 

[haze2]

Yo Twisty thats a good point, you can use the T5s for all phases. They have a blue spectrum and a red spectrum and you can also get dual specs.

 

[WRRide]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
definatelly one bulb does all.
(400w sunmaster/dual spectrum).
BIG BAD LUDA,

I had no luck with a 600w dual spectrum for flowering and went back to a HPS with great success. Feel free to contradict me but I tried it on two grows and ended up disappointed.

 

[Twistyman]

The T12 philips agrosun plant/aquarium are dual spect, those are the larger ones.... I've used CFLs before, and this grow I used a 430HPS but the T's did the best veg job........

 

[transposon]

Hey bro check out discount-hydro.com you want a good hortilux bulb SHPS and a MH ( Flower and vegg ) those bulbs are the shit dude. Ill never grow with anything but those.

I already have a few 6500K CFLs that I am using for vegging. Would it be best to just pick up an HPS setup now? I was looking at a lumatek electronic ballast.

 

[richjames]

The T12 philips agrosun plant/aquarium are dual spect, those are the larger ones.... I've used CFLs before, and this grow I used a 430HPS but the T's did the best veg job........

Hey twisty.... ever flowered with them fluros or do u just use em to veg with too? Jw since u were sayin in ur other post how u weren't that impressed with hid's... Personally, haven't tried out them t5's OR t12's, but i love the cfls for veggin... well to a point....

 

[Twistyman]

Sure.. go for it.....

 

[Twistyman]

Hey twisty.... ever flowered with them fluros or do u just use em to veg with too? Jw since u were sayin in ur other post how u weren't that impressed with hid's... Personally, haven't tried out them t5's OR t12's, but i love the cfls for veggin... well to a point....

Those pics I put up were at 4 weeks T's... and they weren't fluffy as some said they'd be..... why screw around with HID what with the cost and heat when the fluro's work just as well... IMO.

 

[haze2]

Yeah lumatek isnt bad I also like the Quantum ballasts and the new nextgen both are Digies. You can also add the HPS when you get it to your vegging stage too.

 

[WRRide]

I have a lumatek electronic ballast and it is great. I have no complaints, its quiet and runs really cool.

 

[haze2]

Ive never heard that the T5s work that well. was thinking about getting some for vegging after harvest but well see. Twisty were you using the red spectrum T5?

 

[KaliKitsune]

You want some killer T5 bulbs, get the Philips Primary Color T5HO bulbs - pure red, and pure blue, some okayish UV output (could use a supplement bulb or two.)

Take same idea behind LED, cover more of the actual PAR ranges in red and blue instead of just a focused wavelength, and grow the hell out of some plants. I just wish the red bulbs were a little more over in the red as opposed to the orange.