Is this HPS system worth the money?

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happymedicine

Member
There are two HPS systems I am looking at on ebay. I have read a lot on this forum about how ebay has only crap for sale.

So, are these light systems crap? Would either of them be suitable (and worth their price) to grow a 4'x2' screen of green/sea of green? Could I use a 250w setup instead? I may use 48" dual fluoro fixtures for side lighting as well? Ebay links to the two systems are on the bottom.

OR is there an online store that I can go to in order to get all the parts I need (ballast/reflector/bulb), separately, for a good amount cheaper than a boxed full system? Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Switchable-400-watt-HPS-Metal-Halide-Grow-Light-mh-w-/270624073894?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0273a8a6

http://cgi.ebay.com/400-WATT-HPS-DIGITAL-GROW-LIGHT-SYSTEM-400W-SUN-LAMP-CE-/370424397971?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563f03c093
 
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bucksbud

Member
I purchased my grow light on ebay, and so have many other people on these threads. Make sure theres a warranty.
 
danno48

danno48

Active Member
The second one is the one I have. It is a very nice little setup. I think I paid about 120 for mine though, so shop around. Ebay sucks! Even for 149 it ain't a bad deal though. The ballast is a nice digital one that you can just switch out MH or HPS. Just screw out and screw in the bulbs. No fucking around with "conversion bulbs" or "switchable" ballasts. It comes with a 400W HPS bulb, but all ya gotta do is go to home depot and buy a 400w MH for about 20 some bucks. Comes with a timer, jiffy height adjustment (which is cool), nice reflector and major heavy duty, long cords. You can't go wrong with this setup.
 
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happymedicine

Member
danno48 said:
The second one is the one I have. It is a very nice little setup. I think I paid about 120 for mine though, so shop around. Ebay sucks! Even for 149 it ain't a bad deal though. The ballast is a nice digital one that you can just switch out MH or HPS. Just screw out and screw in the bulbs. No fucking around with "conversion bulbs" or "switchable" ballasts. It comes with a 400W HPS bulb, but all ya gotta do is go to home depot and buy a 400w MH for about 20 some bucks. Comes with a timer, jiffy height adjustment (which is cool), nice reflector and major heavy duty, long cords. You can't go wrong with this setup.
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Cool! Thanks guys! I have been pretty indecisive about the switch to HPS from fluoro. I have been concerned about running 400 watts for 12-18 hours a day. It just seemed like electric bills would have been crazy. However, after going over how much I spend on my meds per month, and the fact that a pure fluoro grow would probably not satisfy my needs, I figured that the extra money I would spend on electricity is probably worth the outcome (not spending a grip on another person's grow every month). Now it is time to figure out whether I am going to run a SOG or SCROG style grow. I have been reading a lot of good stuff about the scrog grow. I will probably go with that, although I am not totally sure how big of an area a 400w HPS would cover? I have read anywhere from 6 sqft to 15 sqft. Obviously more reading is necessary...

Anyway, thanks again for the advice. I will probably grab this setup off of ebay. I will definitely check htg supply a little more though. Peace out
 
Spanishfly

Spanishfly

Well-Known Member
I use lights only as a supplement, but bought my lamp and ballast from an online industrial lighting supplier - way cheaper than a ripoff grow shop. Only difference is it doesn´t have MJ GROWING stamped all over it.
 
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ElSmokeyUno

Member
I was going to order from HTG until they opened up a retail store 2 miles down the street from me. The HTG store by my house sells their lighting kits for cheaper than HTG does online and offers a longer warranty on everything. Get the "Big Kahuna Reflector" I got a 600W HPS with socket, bulb, Digital ballast, HUGE 6" cooled reflector with all flanges, glass, hanging hardware (When I say huge I mean HUGE, alot larger than the average one. 33"x23"x10" if memory serves me right). All for $279.00 + 6% MI tax 5 year warranty on ballast & 1 year on bulb. Not bad from everything I've looked at & again It's HUGE & covers a much larger area & looks nice too not like some of the crappy ones floating on Ebay.

OH yeah & I also got a free HTG T-shirt LOL... with purchase

I would definetely reccomend HTG.

If you are going to order online. The guy that owns the dispensary by me reccomended

Plantlighting.com

He says he buys all of his lights for his growers from there. I haven't ordered but I trust his opinion. I checked it out, really cheap prices.
gl and get that room going!


They also have much cheaper setups I just had to have the Big Bad Bitch! Plus shipping costs were no longer a issue & I had the money soooooooo yeah! Get what you can it's definetely worth the upgrade!
 
danno48

danno48

Active Member
If you've never grown before, I highly recommend you get a successful small grow (i.e. three or four plants) under a good HID setup before you start talking about a SOG or SCROG. What you gain from growing with HID lights far outweighs the negative. HIDs are the most efficient means of growing MJ. A 400W HID won't jack your electric bill up much more, if at all, more than adequate CFL's or LEDs.
 
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happymedicine

Member
I am actually growing outside at the moment. I know that indoors is a lot different, considering the grower has to control the influencing factors. I may just do a couple plants in a grow room, but it seems like that would be a bit of a waste when sog or scrog grows can yield so much more. I will definitely consider this though.
 
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