I need to know an answer to a question about cheap lights.

[chiefchuckles]

OK. So I am growing in soil. Here is my plant currently. (FIRST IMAGE = MY PLANT) I am using general organics nutrients, I am also using florescent lighting. (very low watts)

Here is the question.
When I change from 24/24 to 12/12 (flowering cycle) What is the cheapest lighting set up I can get (UNDER 200$) that will supplement the amount of light needed for flowering? I AM VERY CHEAP MIND YOU.

 

[kmksrh21]

I got my 400w hps off of ebay for $100...

 

[chiefchuckles]

I got my 400w hps off of ebay for $100...

VERY NICE! What is the model/brand/what have you?

 

[kmksrh21]

This one... It's MH/HPS

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200629646941?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[chiefchuckles]

Awesome, thank you soo much. And that should be enough for two-three plants...er just one probably?

 

[kmksrh21]

Awesome, thank you soo much. And that should be enough for two-three plants...er just one probably?

Depends how big you got them, but from your pictures it'd be perfect...

I have 5 plants (approx. 2.5ft tall) under 1 of those lights

 

[cmcd5528]

You get what you pay for, that's why I would try to grow outside if I were you. Unless, that isn't an option.

 

[Grim187]

400hps for $100, thats a good deal.

currently im looking at a vented 600hps with dimmable ballast for $200 + $30 for shipping, but there are a lot of other options that are much cheaper if you dont want it ventilated or dont care about the quality of the hood.


by 24/24 do you mean the light is on 24hrs then off 24hrs or on 24hrs a day?

for low watt grows 24/7 lighting works well, im going to be switching to 18/6 because i will have 4x 4ft t5's (210watts).


nice plant btw, what is it?

 

[kmksrh21]

You get what you pay for, that's why I would try to grow outside if I were you. Unless, that isn't an option.

I know I wouldn't be asking about cheap lighting if growing outdoors was an option...

Sure I get a qp off of a $100 light when I could've had pounds outdoors...

I'm loving the indoor growing especially seeing all these threads pop up about hurricanes fuckin' up your outdoors and people breaking into backyards and shit to steal premature buds...

 

[chiefchuckles]

LOL, yeah I just meant the lights are on 24/7. Well I guess I should be fine since I should only be growing 1-3 plants under it. YEAH, also growing out side is not an option

 

[chiefchuckles]

Secondary question: Say I do start flowering using this 400w hps. How far away should I put the light from the top. Right now its pretty close because it is under flourecent.

 

[kmksrh21]

400hps for $100, thats a good deal.

currently im looking at a vented 600hps with dimmable ballast for $200 + $30 for shipping, but there are a lot of other options that are much cheaper if you dont want it ventilated or dont care about the quality of the hood.


by 24/24 do you mean the light is on 24hrs then off 24hrs or on 24hrs a day?

for low watt grows 24/7 lighting works well, im going to be switching to 18/6 because i will have 4x 4ft t5's (210watts).


nice plant btw, what is it?

vented/air cooled 600w with dimmable ballast for 230$ is definately a reasonable price...

I know I could've gotten better, but the OP admits to being a cheapskate (as am I) and wanted to know cheapest lights that could be productive in flowering...

I'll upgrade to air cooled and maybe even 600w or 1000w someday... In the meantime I'm thinking about just adding another 400w to my closet...

 

[kmksrh21]

Secondary question: Say I do start flowering using this 400w hps. How far away should I put the light from the top. Right now its pretty close because it is under flourecent.

Yea flouros you can keep alot closer... My light is about 24'' (2 ft. lol) above the tops of the plants... granted a 400w is much hotter than flouros so be prepared to use a fan or something if you don't go with the air cooled hood...

I got my 400w for $100 on ebay and a 16'' fan at wal mart for $20 and I'm set... got the supplies to grow at least $1200 worth of weed just from first harvest (street value of course)...