what to do know.. need feedback

jointluver

Well-Known Member
2000 u say? really what other bulb would be good for that other than a hps one and that can save energy?
 

Cyphen

Well-Known Member
I assume you're dodgy about HPS because of cost issues. If that's the case, your best bet is going to be CFLs (cool white for vegging, warm for blooming.) Among the options I've seen, the lowest dollar to watt ratio is the 30w from this site:
30 Watt Compact Fluorescents
Each bulb produces 2000 lumens for an end price of right around $4
Assuming you have the fixtures (if not $10 at Home Depot & some basic wiring can set you up) you could put one or two over each plant, and you'd see a world of difference.

If you're going to use more than one or two, you would be better off still with a low wattage HPS. Anything under 150w will fit in to a regular light socket, and will give you better intensity and efficiency than the CFL's. As the cost per lumen is a little better than the CFL's, (a 70w bulb will run you $6 and give you about 6000 lumens) and the run more efficiently throughout the grow, this is going to be your most cost effective option hands down. If you do go this way, make sure the bulb has an E26 medium base, not an E39 mogul base (that's the larger size that requires a ballast)
 

jointluver

Well-Known Member
thz man but i have 4 cool white bulbs tht are 26 watts, and how come on the website it says 30 Watt - Warm White 2700K? is that the amount of lumens? plz help man and can i trust that website or can i get hps in homedepot?:peace:
 

Cyphen

Well-Known Member
2700K refers to the color of the light produced.
2700K is warm, 4100K is cool.

I'm pretty sure Home Depot sells low wattage HPS bulbs for security lights. I can guarantee they'll be more expensive though.

I've ordered from that site before, they're top shelf. The only reason I would buy from Home Depot over them is the lack of shipping time. You should get your bulbs in less than a week from them, but sometimes, a week can make a lot of difference. If you have 4 26w CFL's I would get them over the plants asap. Each of those should produce around 1700 lumens, which, if you keep them within a few inches of the plants will be a huge improvement (won't grow as quick as something larger, but they'll stay alive to the end)

If you can give them extra time to grow, or just deal with smaller plants, those bulbs should be adequate. I would definitely try to switch up to an HPS by the time you get to flowering, that's when you'll really see the difference in return.
 

jointluver

Well-Known Member
thz man, but if i buy a 75 watt hps then what kinda socket should i plug it into? are there special one? can u maybe give me a link to one that talks about sockets or where i have to pug in the hps (75watt)
also how much power does it take?
 

superhighme

Well-Known Member
HPS lights and MH lights both take special fixtures. not just a regular light fixtures. you would need to buy the ballast as well as the fixture and a reflector! My 400watt MH setup cost about $279. probably the cheapest you can find is going to be $100+ and thats if you're lucky and find a used one on craigslist/ebay but then theres no warranty on your bulb or ballast.

it will work to grow with floura lighting but you need to know what you're doing and get the right amount of lumens for your grow room and remember to keep them hung well (so they dont fall on your plants) and also make sure you're moving them up everyday as your plants get larger. it basically means babysitting your plants!
 

skippy pb

Well-Known Member
I assume you're dodgy about HPS because of cost issues. If that's the case, your best bet is going to be CFLs (cool white for vegging, warm for blooming.) Among the options I've seen, the lowest dollar to watt ratio is the 30w from this site:
30 Watt Compact Fluorescents
Each bulb produces 2000 lumens for an end price of right around $4
Assuming you have the fixtures (if not $10 at Home Depot & some basic wiring can set you up) you could put one or two over each plant, and you'd see a world of difference.

If you're going to use more than one or two, you would be better off still with a low wattage HPS. Anything under 150w will fit in to a regular light socket, and will give you better intensity and efficiency than the CFL's. As the cost per lumen is a little better than the CFL's, (a 70w bulb will run you $6 and give you about 6000 lumens) and the run more efficiently throughout the grow, this is going to be your most cost effective option hands down. If you do go this way, make sure the bulb has an E26 medium base, not an E39 mogul base (that's the larger size that requires a ballast)
Ill do you one better because i just started growing and am using 1 30 watt cfl.
30 watts/2050 lumens 6 bucks and wall greens. They never get hot either so theres no fire hazard. Mines been on for 17 days straight haha

And my plants need water to i think. One leave shrivaled up and the others were really droopy, but there gettin better now
 
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