Any better bang for my buck?

So I just finished my 1st grow and did what i think was a very good job keeping the plant in very good condition, but only managed a 1/2oz out of the plant because of poor lighting. So now that i have a feel for the growing process i want to get a legit light and get some better results. I've been doing a lot of reading and searching around and came across this light which i am leaning towards getting. Based on my tight budget($150) i think this is my best option.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Hydroponic-400-Watt-Metal-Halide-Grow-Light_W0QQitemZ170288574877QQihZ007QQcategoryZ42225QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Anybody have any better options than that in my price range? And would that be enough light for 2 plants in an 8 square foot closet?

i got this one off ebay for 145$ including shipping and handling and it switches from hps to mh also http://cgi.ebay.com/400-watt-MH-HPS-System-HPS-bulb-5-yr-warranty_W0QQitemZ270320807327QQcmdZViewItemQQptZHydroponics_Seed_Starting?hash=item270320807327&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:2|294:50

or you could maybe get 2 250watt lights like from the same place

I bought a 400watt hps at htgsupply.
and a cool tube reflector.
That cool tube is the Best.........

MediMaryUser said:

i got this one off ebay for 145$ including shipping and handling and it switches from hps to mh also http://cgi.ebay.com/400-watt-MH-HPS-System-HPS-bulb-5-yr-warranty_W0QQitemZ270320807327QQcmdZViewItemQQptZHydroponics_Seed_Starting?hash=item270320807327&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A2|294%3A50

Click to expand...

Could you please explain how the 1 you posted is better than the 1 I did? Is it necessary to switch bulbs?

topfuel29 said:

I bought a 400watt hps at htgsupply.
and a cool tube reflector.
That cool tube is the Best.........

Click to expand...

What exactly is the cool tube? Does it do anything a simple fan cant do in terms of keeping temps down? And the price at HTG is gonna be at least $30 more than the 1 on ebay.

That's a Halide, you're better off with a HPS if you can only afford one light.

Not only that, but two of these at $52 shipped is a way better deal and is all you need to get going. Puts you in roughly the same category as the $100 one, but better light spectrum for flowering where you grow the buds, that's most important.

Tons of people on here are using these, it's very easy to make it go from stupid looking to ideal.

open link twice to get the right page:
http://www.e-conolight.com/Product/EProductDetail.asp?ProductFamilyID=7&FGNumber=E-MT6H151G

the one i posted is an hps and a mh light it switches when u switch the bulbs and hit a switch,but just to let u know the ballast is built in and it weighs about 30+ pounds so be careful.

TM,

I ordered the same 400w HPS light from the same guy you are looking at. He always has them for 85 or 95 bucks, HPS or MH. I will be purchasing a MH from him soon, he has quick shipping and everything is packaged well. He DID write 400w HPS on the box in black marker, which I didn't care for, but I am sure he wouldn't if you asked him to be discreet.

Personally, I don't think you need to waste the extra money on a switchable ballast IF you have a VEG and a BLOOM room. If you have only one room, then I would spend the extra on the switchable ballast... Your plant will grow faster and end with a higher yeild HOWEVER- a 400w HPS does extremely well for VEG too... so if you dont got the flow, stay with the cheap 400watt hps. You will be happy either way. The picture in my signature is from my last girl grown with this 400w HPS, all the way through, from that same guy your looking at purchasing from. That should give you an idea of what you can do with it. Good luck man

OregonMeds said:

That's a Halide, you're better off with a HPS if you can only afford one light.

Not only that, but two of these at $52 shipped is a way better deal and is all you need to get going. Puts you in roughly the same category as the $100 one, but better light spectrum for flowering where you grow the buds, that's most important.

Tons of people on here are using these, it's very easy to make it go from stupid looking to ideal.

open link twice to get the right page:
http://www.e-conolight.com/Product/EProductDetail.asp?ProductFamilyID=7&FGNumber=E-MT6H151G

Click to expand...

While these look to be a great deal for a smaller area, you would have to purchase 3 or 4 to be 'considered' in the same category as the 400watter. One may argue that you can put a 150 closer to your buds therefore getting a better response or more light to "where it counts" however a 150 watter is waayyy less intensive than a 400 watter (which is why you can put a 150 closer). Meaning canopy penetration is not going to be as good. 50,000 lumens from a single light beaming down compared to 45,000 spread across 3 lights... Depending on how you grow, this may not be the best option. You might have a couple buds on top, nice and juicy but what about the 1-2 OZ's underneath the top layer of your canopy, which is a big reason why CFL's don't produce as much bud and you have to bud hump them.

If you got the room and ventilation for the 400 watter, don't short yourself with the multiple 150's unless your budget just wont allow it. The lights Oregon mentioned are very reasonable and def. an alternative but I would hate to see you replace a 400 watter with them. 400 watters you can buy a Hortilux bulb for (pricey but affordable after your first harvest), giving you a few thousand EXTRA lumens, geared in a spectrum that your plant actually uses more efficiently... Not sure if they make those for the 150's. IMHO I think the best bang for your buck, now and in the future, is going with that $100 400 HPS. I've constantly been looking for another light and yet have found any cheaper than the ones that dude sells on ebay. Just make sure you do take Oregon's advice on the spectrum... Go with a HPS instead of MH.