Final Decision choices, Some Guidance Please

Room size is 8 ft x 3 ft x 3.5 ft closet

Would Pay a little more for Quality Stuff (less hum, less bulb / ballast failure, better light spectrum)

Can I get some help on a final Decision??

It sounds like the Phantom has a better Power fail restart
"Hot re-strike programming protects the lamp in the event of a power outage"

Lumatek LK600

600W 120/240v HPS/MH Dimmable E-Ballast - Generator Ready

This popular E-ballast has been improved. The Lumatek E-ballast is a performance leader
Powers both metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps
Up to 20% MORE LUMENS; faster growth, bigger harvests
Completely pre-wired with popular BAREF lamp cord
3 years full + 2 years warranty
Internal Resin coating protects components for long life
External breaker system protects against power surges
Completely silent

OR

Phantom PHE600D

Hydrofarm's Phantom Digital Electronic Ballast is the most rigorously tested ballast on the market.
The Phantom features silent operation, lightweight design, multiple placement options and the maximum lumen output around.

Tri-mode, push-button dimmable feature
Hot re-strike programming protects the lamp in the event of a power outage
Tested for compatibility with most brands of high intensity grow lamps
Dual resettable breakers - protects lamp and household circuits
Only ballast on the market designed for vertical operation for coolest running and optimum grow space
Drives the highest light output for maximum plant growth
Universal reflector adaptor and 8 ft heavy duty cord included
completely silent
Patented lock & seal BAREF lamp cord installed
Internal RF protection
Internal Resin coating protects components for long life

AND

HydroFarm Radiant Reflector RD6AC



Radiant Air Cool Reflectors are super sized, air-cooled, lensed units; based on our popular high performance Radiant reflector. High efficiency design with a premium European specular aluminum interior means more light from the coolest running design ever offered by Hydrofarm.

Same quality specifications as RadiantTM Reflector
Includes 6" flanges that enable higher air flow for cooler temperatures and more reflectors in-line
Tempered hinged glass lens with sealing foam included
Comes with built in socket and 15' pre-wired lamp cord
25 year warranty on reflective materials
CSA certified


Thanks !!

JoeJoint,

Some time ago i lost 3 lumatek ballasts because a fluctuation in the line voltage, they are the first lumatek digital models a violets ones.
The radiant 6 work great, you need a 6" inline fan to make the cooling work... the best option one inline fan for the ligths and other for the cabinet.

good luck,

Pompon

Hey Pompon, thanks for the info

I have to get some bulbs now, ushio was on my list, is there a 2nd bulb that works well with the phantom Digital Ballast?

I want to have 2 bulbs 1 for backup

Digilux? Plantmax? Agrosun?

Thanks

Joe

Phantom ballasts plain rock. I have a 1k Lum with a built in fan next to a 1k Phantom with no active cooling. Phantom is a little cooler to touch and better built. You should be able to run almost any bulb. I always see low ratings for Digilux. I don't think the cost is worth the product. I have a 600w Digilux bulb and I love it though. Gives off the most blue light in my bloom room so when I move plants in, they go under that first.

Lumatek bulbs give you really high PAR!

JoeJoint said:

Room size is 8 ft x 3 ft x 3.5 ft closet

Would Pay a little more for Quality Stuff (less hum, less bulb / ballast failure, better light spectrum)

Can I get some help on a final Decision??

Click to expand...

Scratch my last comment here is a really good comparison test.

Conclusion (1000w)-- Eye Hortilux Enhanced 1000 watt HPS came out the undisputed winner in this test being almost 10% better than the next best bulb. The Ushio and Digixlux, came in next very close to each other, and about another 10% above the rest of the pack. The next five bulbs were similar in readings, yet the Maxlume bulb is quite a bit less expensive than all of them, leading us to conclude that it's the best value bulb. What was somewhat surprising was the reading we got from the Dual Arc. Since Dual Arc's are made up of a 600w HPS and a 400w MH, we expected the output to be lower because MH bulbs are less efficient at converting wattage into intensity, but we thought that the more full spectrum of a Dual Arc may counter the decreased efficiency of the MH bulb. We were wrong and it seems that the HPS bulbs still produce more intensity in the spectrum plants use to photosynthesize than Dual Arc bulbs.

After talking to a BUNCH of people that work at grow shops and asking them what bulbs they liked (without me mentioning Ushio), many of them told me Ushio and they said they don't get as many Ushio returned as defective, others recommended were: Digilux, and Agrosun

My List So Far:

Phantom Digital 600W Electronic Ballast PHE600D
Phantom Digital 600W Electronic Ballast, 120/240V Dimmable

Radiant 6" Air Cooled Reflector Unit (includes lens) RD6AC
Some stores sell the "old" version make sure
the one bought has hinges and latches as pictured
Radiant 6" Air Cooled Reflector Unit (includes lens)

Ushio AHS 600 Opti Red
Ushio AMH 600 Opti Blue

HiLux Gro - Grow Light - Horticulture - USHIO

Oh and I just got done researching Rope Ratchet Hangers I wanted ones that had metal gears

These are the only ones I could find claiming to have metal gears
(anyone here that knows of a better one please let me know)

Apollo Horticulture Pair of 1/8'' Rope Ratchet Multi Purpose Hangers (Improved Metal Internal Gears)
Amazon.com: Apollo Horticulture Pair of 1/8'' Rope Ratchet Multi Purpose Hangers (Improved Metal Internal Gears) - Great for grow lights, ventilation and other things weighing 150lbs or less: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Now I am going to start looking for the right fan and Carbon filter

I have to pick out a fan and carbon filter now

Does anyone have any experience with "Max-Fan" ?
They say it is one of the most quiet and most powerful fans on the market
It's made in Germany, I found a YouTube video of a "static pressure" test

Look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFS9kB_J-CA

My home office is close to my grow room so Quiet is VERY Important !!

I will start a grow room build journal with pictures as soon as I get all the stuff

Thanks