kits vs individual parts, whats best for the wallet?

Hey! Hope your day is kicking ass and if it isnt well its not that bad!

Enough of that im planning on buying my first whole set up meaning ducting, inline fans, tent and you know the rest to keep a envoirment as close to dialed as possible

now im here debating whether to buy this kit here
http://growershouse.com/quantum-600w-3-x-3-air-cooled-tent-package
total is = 479.12 so plus take itll be atleast 520 sonething to keep it at a max of what I will spend but wait... still need a MH bulb and my pots and soil and seeds! that will be a hefty cost..

so would be buying individual parts and pieces on amazon save me some cash? I really dig growers house just because im local to them and I feel pretty sussed out that im getting growing stuff sent to me but thats not the big factor, I would like to shave and save what I can to buy plenty of seeds... not just that but I want a 4 x 4 but 3 x 3 kit is the best bet for my wallet.

Just want to hear from folks what they thinks best

Looks like a good starter kit.. can't beat the price..

shop around

grow shops shut down all the time

plus some people sell their equipment really cheap you know the wife finds out and go`s nuts or whatever

prices really go down on grow gear when you don`t need it, take your time and shop slowly learn exactly what your looking for and find your places online to hunt and you`ll get stuff so cheap.

THE KONASSURE said:

shop around

grow shops shut down all the time

plus some people sell their equipment really cheap you know the wife finds out and go`s nuts or whatever

prices really go down on grow gear when you don`t need it, take your time and shop slowly learn exactly what your looking for and find your places online to hunt and you`ll get stuff so cheap.

Click to expand...

Was going for that kit just cause I can drive over and pick it up but I think I can save more on amazon and that well really helps. Im just wondering if a cheap ballast kit is worthy.. I guess just look at the reviews.. on used ballasts and bulbs what should I reslly look out for? I know used bulbs can eventually die but it takes a year or 2 dosent it?

THE KONASSURE said:

shop around

grow shops shut down all the time

plus some people sell their equipment really cheap you know the wife finds out and go`s nuts or whatever

prices really go down on grow gear when you don`t need it, take your time and shop slowly learn exactly what your looking for and find your places online to hunt and you`ll get stuff so cheap.

Click to expand...

Theres a 600w ballast for 60$ for example... to me thats damn cheap but you know that isnt always a good thing.. so whats okay to buy used and not okay?

yungkodama said:

Hey! Hope your day is kicking ass and if it isnt well its not that bad!

Enough of that im planning on buying my first whole set up meaning ducting, inline fans, tent and you know the rest to keep a envoirment as close to dialed as possible

now im here debating whether to buy this kit here
http://growershouse.com/quantum-600w-3-x-3-air-cooled-tent-package
total is = 479.12 so plus take itll be atleast 520 sonething to keep it at a max of what I will spend but wait... still need a MH bulb and my pots and soil and seeds! that will be a hefty cost..

so would be buying individual parts and pieces on amazon save me some cash? I really dig growers house just because im local to them and I feel pretty sussed out that im getting growing stuff sent to me but thats not the big factor, I would like to shave and save what I can to buy plenty of seeds... not just that but I want a 4 x 4 but 3 x 3 kit is the best bet for my wallet.

Just want to hear from folks what they thinks best

Click to expand...

Buy new if you can and you'll always know what you have and where it's been. That's a good deal and great starter kit that you can use as a veg tent when and if you decide to go bigger. Good luck

Bulbs actually loose power and should be replaced on a regular basis.
Buying used electronics can be risky.. I'd go with the best warranty..
Amazon is always good.. closer could be better if somethingr goes wrong!!
Tough choice I know...

Don't buy a used ballast. I did at first and regretted it. I am using cheap apollo reign ballasts right now and I am pretty happy with them. I had a problem with one and amazon shipped out a new one as soon as they received the tracking on my return....3 day turnaround. With a used one, you're stuck. Hoods, tents, fans etc. can be bought used with few problems. There are usually great deals on craigslist here, but always check Amazon first. Many times you can buy new cheaper than used.

yungkodama said:

Theres a 600w ballast for 60$ for example... to me thats damn cheap but you know that isnt always a good thing.. so whats okay to buy used and not okay?

Click to expand...

I`d look for a good used ballast like a gavita or some other good brand, I can get a new china made one for £40 to £60 so a second hand one has to be a good make for me to pay the same kinda money

2nd hand a 600w ballast should be free to £40 a good one from a trusted seller could be 30% to 60% of retail value best thing about new stuff is a warranty

and I used new lamps, with hids if its for flowering I change the lamps every year or even every 6 months sometimes

Fan`s can cost tons but 2nd hand ones can cost almost nothing great way to save money is to get a good box fan cheap as they are normally £150 to £600 for a good 6" to 12" 1500cmh to 3000cmh, I like to pick one of them up for £20 to £60 the good ones last so they are worth picking up used for sure

THE KONASSURE said:

I`d look for a good used ballast like a gavita or some other good brand, I can get a new china made one for £40 to £60 so a second hand one has to be a good make for me to pay the same kinda money

2nd hand a 600w ballast should be free to £40 a good one from a trusted seller could be 30% to 60% of retail value best thing about new stuff is a warranty

and I used new lamps, with hids if its for flowering I change the lamps every year or even every 6 months sometimes

Fan`s can cost tons but 2nd hand ones can cost almost nothing great way to save money is to get a good box fan cheap as they are normally £150 to £600 for a good 6" to 12" 1500cmh to 3000cmh, I like to pick one of them up for £20 to £60 the good ones last so they are worth picking up used for sure

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Goodlooks! im not to sure on the brand of that ballast I saw but Im going to take a look around again there were a few boxed ones that didnt look like a simple chinese ballast... now whats the difference between a cheap ballast and a good quality ballast

cindysid said:

Don't buy a used ballast. I did at first and regretted it. I am using cheap apollo reign ballasts right now and I am pretty happy with them. I had a problem with one and amazon shipped out a new one as soon as they received the tracking on my return....3 day turnaround. With a used one, you're stuck. Hoods, tents, fans etc. can be bought used with few problems. There are usually great deals on craigslist here, but always check Amazon first. Many times you can buy new cheaper than used.

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Appreciate the time and words!
What was a problem you noticed while working with a used ballast?

HydoDan said:

Bulbs actually loose power and should be replaced on a regular basis.
Buying used electronics can be risky.. I'd go with the best warranty..
Amazon is always good.. closer could be better if somethingr goes wrong!!
Tough choice I know...

Click to expand...

I like to have assurance so buying new isnt a problem.. I guess I can go for used fans and thats it lol

HydoDan said:

Looks like a good starter kit.. can't beat the price..

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Looked at a 4 x 4 600w kit and found amazon can save me some money... idk about the quality on the tent since the kit has a secret jardin 3 x 3 and the one 4 x 4 on amazon is by appollo horticulture so Idk if theres a difference in the quality... I went from the kit to amazon because having a 4 x 4 would be better now that I think of it but the 4 x 4 600w kit is $662 thats like a 180$ raise so I can save on amazon I believe... if someone can prove me wrong please do cause it will help

yungkodama said:

Appreciate the time and words!
What was a problem you noticed while working with a used ballast?

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It failed 3 weeks into flower. I also learned to keep a spare! Used ones are good for that! The cheap tents work fine for me. I do a little reinforcement at the corners if necessary, but usually not. A 600 watt will cover a 4 x 4 just fine

cindysid said:

It failed 3 weeks into flower. I also learned to keep a spare! Used ones are good for that!

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Not a bad idea

Eventually you're going to need a second tent unless you are just going to grow from seed every time..
3x3 is a very good starting size and would be great for veg...

yungkodama said:

Goodlooks! im not to sure on the brand of that ballast I saw but Im going to take a look around again there were a few boxed ones that didnt look like a simple chinese ballast... now whats the difference between a cheap ballast and a good quality ballast

Click to expand...

a good one lasts like 5 to 20 years don`t get too hot and does not blow lights

Go over to the hid section for makes and reviews and such

Gavita 400v DE 600w or 1000w are about the market leader

there`s a lot of good brands but the hid section will tell you what ones to avoid as regards to pre burning of your herb...... not so many home made ones around these days, I hear there not that hard to make but never bothered as there everywhere I mean a lot of road and street lights used to be hid`s

I did once get a 1000w digital ballast 400w to "1000w super" settings on it

Man putting a 600w mh or hps in it and setting it to 400w was cool, very cool and the lamp would last forever

then putting a 1000w hps in it and setting it to max was fun too

Still got it it`s still set up it`s done 2 years work, but turned it off a month or 2 ago to put a 300w induction in my veg instead but its still rigged to the cool tube, just incase I wanna put a 1k hps in there and turn my veg into a bloom, lol

HydoDan said:

Eventually you're going to need a second tent unless you are just going to grow from seed every time..
3x3 is a very good starting size and would be great for veg...

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True i am planning on doing that, but I want a small tent to fit my closet so im thinking 4 x 4 in the room and maybe a 2 x 2 in the closet with 1 or 2 bonsai mommies

THE KONASSURE said:

a good one lasts like 5 to 20 years don`t get too hot and does not blow lights

Go over to the hid section for makes and reviews and such

Gavita 400v DE 600w or 1000w are about the market leader

there`s a lot of good brands but the hid section will tell you what ones to avoid as regards to pre burning of your herb...... not so many home made ones around these days, I hear there not that hard to make but never bothered as there everywhere I mean a lot of road and street lights used to be hid`s

I did once get a 1000w digital ballast 400w to "1000w super" settings on it

Man putting a 600w mh or hps in it and setting it to 400w was cool, very cool and the lamp would last forever

then putting a 1000w hps in it and setting it to max was fun too

Still got it it`s still set up it`s done 2 years work, but turned it off a month or 2 ago to put a 300w induction in my veg instead but its still rigged to the cool tube, just incase I wanna put a 1k hps in there and turn my veg into a bloom, lol

Click to expand...

Wow you must have a kick ass set up... rn Im debting whether to go scrog or sog! And well more space is better and the price difference between a 3 x 3 and 4 x 4 isnt a big difference to me so why not.. now I feel sog would be cool for that because more plants and faster yielding ( I hope ) cause in a nuttshell thats what I want. I will be steering towards moms and clones later when the money allows me to for now I just want to pump something out fast so I thought sog was the green light

cindysid said:

It failed 3 weeks into flower. I also learned to keep a spare! Used ones are good for that! The cheap tents work fine for me. I do a little reinforcement at the corners if necessary, but usually not. A 600 watt will cover a 4 x 4 just fine

Click to expand...

Do you have a cheapy tent rn and how does it workbwith the smell? I know your scrubber will take care of most the smell I assume but there should still be some skunkyness yay or nay?