Another T5 fluorescent thread :( please help!

[elasher]

Alright so i have 3 plants that have been vegging for a month now, just started the 12/12 lighting yesterday. They range from 25-29 inches tall. 2 are in a 6x6 area, 1 is in a 6x3 closet. Both groups have the 4ft 4 bulb T5 fluorescent lights with i think either 213 or 230watts. Ive read so many things about flowering with these things, and i found a 600w HPS with ballast on craigslist with new bulb for $150. So, what would be more worth it, the lack of yield i get from the T5 fluorescent or spend the extra $150 on the 600w HPS light. Also, will this be enough for 3 plants. (With the ability to add the T5 fluorescent if needed). Thanks guys, as usual!

 

[frmrboi]

you'd get 10 times the yield with the 600 watt light.
$150 is reasonable for used ligt. That's plenty of light for 3 plants, the T5's aren't

 

[elasher]

Well im thinking im going to take this 2nd T5 back since the 1 got it through veg growth, and buy that HPS! Theres another one thats a 1,000 watt HPS with some ducting for $200. Is that over bore for 3?

 

[frmrboi]

Is that over bore for 3?

I'd say so, 600 watts is now considered the most efficient grow light.
The T5's are good for vegging clones and such. Far too expensive to flower with.

 

[Medi 1]

carefull buyin from crags list...ive seen to many get robbed from being followed after. and no gaurnatee its new unless you know what to look for on the bulb.

 

[frmrboi]

carefull buyin from crags list...ive seen to many get robbed from being followed after. and no gaurnatee its new unless you know what to look for on the bulb.

yeah, be carefull out there, even if it's an old bulb with that much power you'll get an excellent yield.
The seller will probaly tell you if you ask. Most times it's only been used for one grow and it failed and they want to get rid of it.

 

[Medi 1]

the way to tell is look at the base that screws in to the mogul socket. if there is a dimple in the center from the pin in the mogul pressing into it then its used and wouldnt touch it. id rather buy new and less quality than trust a stoner to be used once
600 is the way to grow though, id rather buy used form a grow shop than private.

 

[elasher]

Yea i just don't have the $400 to buy new. So some hydroponic shops sell used HPS/MH lights?

 

[elasher]

Well for 150 i still get the ballast and the reflector, bulbs are $75 at our local store. Wouldn't it still be worth it? Or used ballast isn't good aswell?

 

[Medi 1]

the store i work at sells used stuff. older mag ballasst are 130 for a 1k switchable. we have new bat wings with moguls for 25 buk...thats new to and retail cost, with wire and mogul...most dont come with that andf are 80 bucks. then a top of the line bulb is about 110 and a cheepo is about 40. all brand new excepot the ballasts...rebuilds.

 

[frmrboi]

Well for 150 i still get the ballast and the reflector, bulbs are $75 at our local store. Wouldn't it still be worth it? ?

if you ask me, I'd say yes !

 

[elasher]

so ill just buy the unit and take my chance, then buy a brand new bulb! I will have a $160 credit with them anyways.

 

[Medi 1]

just go sit somehwere for coffe n watch around before going straight home...watch who follows and get a plate number form location if there is a car there just for saftery if shit happenns later.
im just extrra cautios as ive has a couple buddies robbed by this way. or followed from grow shops to. becomeing a big issue out ehre for us med guys

 

[elasher]

wow i have never heard anything like that before thats f'in crazy. Alright so 1 last question. If the ballast and shield are sold as a 1000w HPS system, could i put a 600watt HPS bulb in that system?

 

[Medi 1]

no. unless the ballast is a switchable one its meant to run 1 wattage of bulb., the ones i use have 3 diff ones. being 250, 400 and a 600 setting, then the next set up is from 400 600 and 1k io believe and is usualy on digi ballast
what you can do is run a 400 and a 600 from a 1k ballast. as long as total watts of bulbs add up the total on ballast its ok. but advanced and needs some wiring changes but has worked fine

 

[frmrboi]

wow i have never heard anything like that before thats f'in crazy. Alright so 1 last question. If the ballast and shield are sold as a 1000w HPS system, could i put a 600watt HPS bulb in that system?

yes to the bulb, but you'll still be using 1000 watts of electricity.
IMHO the rip-off story is pretty unlikely

 

[Medi 1]

no you cant run a 600 in a 1k. will fry shit.

 

[elasher]

Well would it be bad to use a 1000 watt? Im kind of sold on the price if its too much where its just going to cause problems, i will have to go another route. But this unit is 350 on their website new.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/grd/2019374083.html

 

[frmrboi]

only bad for your power bill

 

[Medi 1]

its your call to what to use. id rather run 2 x 600 and still be further ahead. but if thats what you want to get then do it. its not like its a bad thing to use. just not as efficient