Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

[Anghellic]

Ok i called Phillips and they said the piece of broken brown glass inside he bulb was normal, and it should work normal. She also said it was rather common so anyone else out there, don't worry about it.

 

[FreezerBoy]

I am kind of upset with myself. I had not caught on to the fact that if I upload new pics from my cam (to gallery), I need to rename them every time or the camera (having been wiped every time) will repeat generic names. When the pics are uploaded they overwrite the older one.

I'm NOT a digi-cam expert but, the ones I've seen use the date and time for names. As long as you keep the clock current, you should be OK.

 

[Dr. Bloom]

Here is an update for my C99xHaze scrog, now at 4 weeks flowering.

The right side Is lit by a Hortilux EYE HPS. The left side is lit by a CMH.
Both bulbs are 400 watts.

I had to leave town after the second week.....so i stopped training them then.
You can see how much the pladies stretched during that time.

Second Week:



Fourth Week


Fourth Week CMH Side:



Fourth Week HPS side: (Sorry about the pic quality....CMH gives way better pics)



And a shot of the full box......with the other plants in there:




I'll update next week.....no conclusive evidence yet.

 

[Poker_Toker]

looks like im sticking with the lumatek. I cant see any difference in bud pics compared to a mh/hps combo or even yields for that matter. I think i am going to stick with the proven hps/mh combo, and a ubv bulb for uv.
I need to run the bulb on a vented hood with glass or cooltube, and if barely any ubv comes through, whats really the point on wasting 55 bucks on a bulb when you can get standard mh and hps's for 10 bucks anyday and just add a ubv bulb. Maybe someday i will get an additional 400 magnetic system so i can try this but i doubt it.

 

[hurricane]

looks like im sticking with the lumatek. I cant see any difference in bud pics compared to a mh/hps combo or even yields for that matter. I think i am going to stick with the proven hps/mh combo, and a ubv bulb for uv.
I need to run the bulb on a vented hood with glass or cooltube, and if barely any ubv comes through, whats really the point on wasting 55 bucks on a bulb when you can get standard mh and hps's for 10 bucks anyday and just add a ubv bulb. Maybe someday i will get an additional 400 magnetic system so i can try this but i doubt it.

No offence, but i think the target audience of this thread is people thinking of spending $100 on horticulture bulbs, not $10 warehouse bulbs I'm not saying one or the other is better(horti vs warehouse), but if your going to spend 5x as much on bulbs its adifferent decision than spending half price

Hurricane

 

[Ganja Guerilla]

The points that have sold me on a cmh vs mh/hps setup would be:
1. one lamp from veg to flower
2. cheap ballast options, eg. htg supply 55bux coil & core kit
3. reduced heat vs mh or hps
4. reduced lamp cost vs horti lamps
5. increased lumen maintenance
6. well... everyone seems to be getting some A+ results in growth and potency

If I had already purchased an electronic ballast I could see being a little more on the fence about it though.

Simba or Azeotrope, would an f-can type ballast be ok these lamps? Assuming I can locate an s51.

 

[Poker_Toker]

I know it is a good option and i am still considering it, i was just wondering a few things about the difference in degrees the CMH bulb is to a regular MH or HPS.
I may go with this even though the ballast would be more hot then a digital, but it would be a good trade off if the bulb burns cool enough that it is easily cooled with a small fan. Like a 400w bulb with no cooltube or vented glass hood in a small cab may not be the smartest idea to me. I am not saying it isnt better then those bulbs, it just may not be good for me

 

[fatbob166]

I said way back that I was going to get one of these bulbs, but I never got around to it till just the other day. I received it in the mail today, and as I took it out of the box, I heard soemthing rolling around in the glass. Of course, the one that I got was broken. We're not talking about little fragments inside the bulb like some HID lights, but one of the pieces that support the loop inside the bulb snapped off. Now I have a bulb with a wire rolling around in it. bumber. So looks like my testimonial on the bulb performance will have to wait, and my testimonial on their customer service will be up and coming.......I have a picture, but apparently I'm not uploading it right. Guess I need to spend more time on the forum...haha.

 

[simba]

poker grab sunlight supply ballast and a ss1 old style and its quite..
50 is the cheapest youll find MSRP Is $90.00


jb 3x4 under a supersun 1 old style.. using 400 cmh

huricane 5k cfl are the closest.. In reality its 4200k but the coolwhites are closer when we look at them.. it really depends on who makes the cfl to match to K..

Dr. b.. NICE.. only thing i dont like is the 2 diff reflectors however still VERY NICE>>

Ganga J.. ya F-can No probs..
as far as digital ballasts Best make sure its UL Listed or NO insurance when house burns down.. *(my 2 cents)

as far as $10 on standard bulb vs a eye super hps the super hps will outperform just not worth the extra 90 but when u look at cmh for 50 its so worth it.. without adding any thing extra..

poker take the plunge ya wont look back..
dont get stuck on the cool factor of the digital ballasts..

Fat.. your golden.. im sure you wont have a problem with that..

 

[Blunted22]

hey i dont know cause i havent recieved mine yet but i know on hps and shit like that that little peices are normal rolling around and depending on how the cmh is it might not need to be attached on my hps i can shake and see the coil move all around bulb is fine...

 

[Microwido]

Review

Review

This is one hell of an article. I have read the whole thing. (took me several hours) Now I am deciding exactly what to buy. I have always used CFL's in the past so this whole light setup is new to me. I am going to buy:

400w HPS Ballast from HTGsupply ($74 shipped) (they have CMH ballast for cheaper, should I get that one?)

400w Horizontal CMH from advancedtechlighting (53$ + shipping)

What should I order for light reflector? A link would be nice. Is this all I need?

Will 1 x 400w light be good for 4 plants? I plan on doing 12 with 1 light per 4 plants.

Thank you for your infinite wisdom!!

 

[Poker_Toker]

poker grab sunlight supply ballast and a ss1 old style and its quite..
50 is the cheapest youll find MSRP Is $90.00
.

Simba what do you mean? 50 for the bulb? IF so i am in (regulat hps and mh are 25 anyway, i will go with a DIY ballast kit if i can find one.

Can you point me in the direction of a 400w ballast (ignitor, ballast, and capacitor) anyone know any bare bones prices for a 400w?

I am going with a 449cfm vortek, a 6" odorsok in my 4 square feet area, 5 or 6 feet high. I know its extremely overkill so i am getting a fan speed control so i can run the cmh bulb with no reflector. Will this work bro? i should be good right?

I just need help in choosing a diy ballast, help lol

 

[FreezerBoy]

This place advertises $40.60 for a 250
http://www.lightbulbusa.net/UC-PHILIPS_146498_CDM250S50_HOR_4K_ALTO.html

No price break to speak of on the 400 unless you buy quantity.
Never tried them so, caveat emptor!

Kits
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=45693
possibly unwired but, great instructions and includes socket.

http://www.businesslights.com/hps-ballast-kits-c-190.html
No socket but, mine (core cap and ignitor) came pre-wired. You still have to connect the power cord but, that's the easy part.

Ballast Box
http://www.bandbhydroponics.com/ballast_boxes.html

 

[Poker_Toker]

where are people in canada getting their CMH bulbs from?

Thanks for all those links. Putting in a big order of supplies tomorrow cant wait. all the pricematching really helped

 

[gramsci.antonio]

some updates. Day 38 from switch:

 

[fatbob166]

A quick update.....Finally figured out how to post this damn picture. I circled the broken pieces in blue, at least I think it's blue......being colorblind sucks. Anyways, I've been in touch with the advanced lighting crew, and they are more than happy to help me out. Hopefully a new bulb will be shipping out very soon, and hopefully the delivery guys will be a little more careful this time. Peace.

 

[iqcommando]

Howdy Fellas. Quick Question- Will CMH work with a HydroFarm 400 W HPS Powerhouse ballast?

 

[jdubz206]

I finally got everything plugged in and set up besides constructing the walls and floor, which I'll finish this weekend. I'm really liking the bulb. I cannot believe how cold it is. The top of the reflector too. The plants are responding very well, much more so than the fluoros they were vegging under. This is my first HID grow, so I don't have much to go off except for a couple of other grows I've seen. Time will tell and I'm very excited to see the finished product. I'll post pics soon.

When I bought the bulb, the guy at the store told me that flowering would take 2 weeks longer. Has anyone else heard or experienced this? He said the best thing to do was not veg as long. I'm going to veg for a bit longer and then switch to 12x12. After that I'm thinking about continuing to veg future clones under the fluoros to try to get a perpetual grow going.

hurricane,

I used Phillips 6500k Daylight tubes. They are bright white and the light that is cast on the floor and walls is very similar to actual sunlight. I have had great results with these bulbs. If you look @ the pictures I posted the other day in the Indoor Soil Grows forum, you can see for yourself how plants veg under them.

gramsci,

nice man, looking good!!! what strain is that?

fatbob,

your bulb is definitely broke dude. definitely return that asap.

igcommando,

CMH bulbs will work in any magnetic HPS ballast including the Hydrofarm Powerhouse. As far as digital ballasts go, the only ones that I am 100% sure are compatible with CMH bulbs are the LifeLight brand ballasts. Hope this helps.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

I cannot believe how cold it is. The top of the reflector too.

I was wondering, if anybody else noticed this too. My reflector housing is barely warm on top....

compared to HPS.

 

[Microwido]

This is one hell of an article. I have read the whole thing. (took me several hours) Now I am deciding exactly what to buy. I have always used CFL's in the past so this whole light setup is new to me. I am going to buy:

400w HPS Ballast from HTGsupply ($74 shipped) (they have CMH ballast for cheaper, should I get that one?)

400w Horizontal CMH from advancedtechlighting (53$ + shipping)

What should I order for light reflector? A link would be nice. Is this all I need?

Will 1 x 400w light be good for 4 plants? I plan on doing 12 with 1 light per 4 plants.

Thank you for your infinite wisdom!!

Someone help me please, I need to order in the next few days.