Sylvania HPS/MH bulbs at Lowes?!

So after thinking I was going to do CFL's for my first grow, i was looking in the light department of my local lowe's when i saw Sylvania brand HPS/MH bulbs ranging from 100-400w. The ones that were 100w and under had a medium sized base (Fits normal light fixtures), but when i took it home and put it in a normal light fixture it did not work ):. Do i still need a ballast for the bulb if its as low as 100w!?


E: Are there any DIY ways to ghetto rig this if a ballast is needed?!

yes you do... the ballast up the voltage needed to power hps

Would they sell one of these lower wattage ballasts at Lowe's!?

yes they will... I'm not sure where they would be at lowes... if you go to home depot it's on the ends of the lighting department facing the door bells, and transformers...

...good luck...

The stores are almost identical as far as what is grouped with what, but what the major distingishing factor is color. I feel threatened and overly cautious when walkin into the bright orange enviorment so I prefer the cooler tones of the other store.

Stoner preference at it's best.......

I personally wouldn't use those types.. from home depot/lowes.

for one.. they're not intended for indoor use.

You would be better off just going to HGTSupply.com

I don't know the current prices.. but when I first started growing.. I too started with just using high wattage CFL bulbs.

But, after a year of using just CFL bulbs.. I wanted more yield.. so I needed more wattage/light/lumens.

Anyhow, long story short.. you'd be better off spending the $75 or $80 bucks for a 150watt HPS lamp from HGT. It comes with everything.. bulb, housing with ballast built in.. and metal 'V' hooks for hanging the lamp.

At first.. I only bought one single 150 from them. But, I was so impressed with the one I bought.. I went ahead and bought another 150 to go along with the other one.

But yeah, you'd be better off with something like that man.


peace.

hmmm...so for those of use not near a hydro store would these be a viable option in an emergency? Say you current bulb blows could you install a 400w in a digital ballast just until the new one arrives? Hopefully, this won't happen as I do have a HPS and MH so I can switch between the two if I had to but I'm saving up for another bulb for those 'just in case' emergencies. But, if all else fails it would be nice to know if I can drive 5 min and pick one up in these situations...

the hps bulbs at lowes and home depot are for street lights and outdoor use.I used two of them before and got the same yield I would have got if I just used regular 100w Cfl