New MicroMedical Cab Bag seed 125W CFL

[BudGood]

A suggestion Tripsick

A suggestion Tripsick

Yeah that i what someone told me to buy early on when i was trying to make my mind up... The Sun System Galaxy Digital 250w Ballast

I just need to remember where it was....

May I humbly recommend the Quantum brand. Here is the link: http://www.quantumhort.com/index.php I have heard nothing but good things about them, they are the first to make a dimmable digital ballast, I've heard of no bulb compatibility issues like with Lumateks, you could get a 600 watt, and put it in a 3x3 or 4x4 tent, use it at 50%, and if you have the extra cooling/want more flowering power, you have it there available to you!

Buy a good 6" carbon filter and fan combo, and a good 6" air cooled shade to put the bulb in (I would recommend either the Sun Sysytem 2, which I'm running 1 of now, and the spread is great, or the Yield-Master 2 6" air cooled, which I haven't used yet, but I like the design& is what I plan to upgrade all the shades in my soil room with after this harvest.)You can also run them with flip-flops, which is important to me, being that I run them. I plan on running the core and coil 600's I have until I have the $$$ to upgrade, and when I do, it'll definitely be all Quantums. Plus, they're bright anodized orange, they look cool as hell!

Trust me, you'll be very happy you went this route. I seen good 6" inline fan and filter combos on Ebay for a good price, or look at your local hydro shop. Being able to dial down the 600 to 50% means you'll have a 300w HPS, and when you feel more comfortable or want more light, you can just dial it up! It'd be ideal for the next upgrade, so you won't have to upgrade AGAIN later. The Quantums are truly awesome ballasts, you'll be happy you went with them. Bulb-wise I'd recommend Osram Plantastars, first bulb made from the ground up for growing, great spectrum, I think Bettergrow Hydro is where I got mine.

EDIT: Another thing, a fan speed controller would be great, so you can dial in exactly the speed you want. It'll help you to better control temps. I know you wanted to go with a 250 and a 4" fan, better to have a bigger fan than you think you need, trust me on this. You'll really be glad you went with a dimmable 600 rather than a 250, when you want more flowering watts and bigger buds!

Tell me what you think...

 

[BudGood]

I should have some upclose shots in a day or two these are taking a little longer to dry than the first one.

The Tent will go in a large walk-in that is pretty much dark all the time so that should be a plus.. I think i will get inside and zip it up and see where it leaks if any with the closet light on.

Best way Trip. Just stay in there with it closed and with a BRIGHT light on outside, chill for a few minutes, make sure your eyes adjust, have some duct tape so you can ID the leaks with and know where they are.

It'd be better if you could just not turn on the light at all in the Walk-in, at least during it's dark period, maybe buy some of those battery operated touch lights, enough so you can see, not enough to screw up your light cycle, and just use them instead. Hermies from light leaks suck!

 

[Tripsick]

Thats awesome i had no idea they were out.

Well ill make up my mind by next week and then we will see how it works out.

BSF2 Drying update:

This plant smells awesome like some crazy dank the popcorn buds dried in the bottom of the box are ready to go. Its more of a keeper than BSF1 in potency, flavor, and yield
and i think the Reveg is going better on BSF2 right now.

its this sweat grapefruit fuel smell and is just screaming smoke me. (Edit) My Wife says it smells just like oranges... so we will call it Citrus

no cure just popcorn dried in the bottom and its Awesome!
only down side is you will wait 12 weeks from 12/12

 

[Hella THC]

May I humbly recommend the Quantum brand. I have heard nothing but good things about them, they are the first to make a dimmable digital ballast, I've heard of no bulb compatibility issues like with Lumateks, you could get a 600 watt, and put it in a 3x3 or 4x4 tent, use it at 50%, and if you have the extra cooling/want more flowering power, you have it there available to you!

Buy a good 6" carbon filter and fan combo, and a good 6" air cooled shade to put the bulb in (I would recommend either the Sun Sysytem 2, which I'm running 1 of now, and the spread is great, or the Yield-Master 2 6" air cooled, which I haven't used yet, but I like the design& is what I plan to upgrade all the shades in my soil room with after this harvest.)You can also run them with flip-flops, which is important to me, being that I run them. I plan on running the core and coil 600's I have until I have the $$$ to upgrade, and when I do, it'll definitely be all Quantums. Plus, they're bright anodized orange, they look cool as hell!

Trust me, you'll be very happy you went this route. I seen good 6" inline fan and filter combos on Ebay for a good price, or look at your local hydro shop. Being able to dial down the 600 to 50% means you'll have a 300w HPS, and when you feel more comfortable or want more light, you can just dial it up! It'd be ideal for the next upgrade, so you won't have to upgrade AGAIN later. The Quantums are truly awesome ballasts, you'll be happy you went with them. Bulb-wise I'd recommend Osram Plantastars, first bulb made from the ground up for growing, great spectrum, I think Bettergrow Hydro is where I got mine.

Tell me what you think...

Great info, Budgood! +rep for you! I have a few questions about some of the things stated here.

First off, awesome heads up on the Quantum brand. Never heard of them before but wow, do they ever look quality! I see they don't go lower than 600w though. So you would need a 600w light, but the dimmer allows you to turn it down? Does this put any stress on the light bulb? Are the ballasts dimmable through the full spectrum? Meaning, can I get that same 600w light to run at 250w or 400w? How flexible is it? This is a really good find if it works as described.

**EDIT** Okay, I saw the close ups of the units and it looks like they are adjustable at 50%, 75%, and 100%. So the lowest you could go is 300w with a 600w unit. Not shabby. I also see you can run it off of 120v or 240v. I personally don't have the option of doing a 240v but I've been told they run better on that circuit and both cords are included.

You're sure that the Sun System reflectors will work with this ballast?

 

[Tripsick]

 

[BudGood]

Great info, Budgood! +rep for you! I have a few questions about some of the things stated here.

First off, awesome heads up on the Quantum brand. Never heard of them before but wow, do they ever look quality! I see they don't go lower than 600w though. So you would need a 600w light, but the dimmer allows you to turn it down? Does this put any stress on the light bulb? Are the ballasts dimmable through the full spectrum? Meaning, can I get that same 600w light to run at 250w or 400w? How flexible is it? This is a really good find if it works as described.

**EDIT** Okay, I saw the close ups of the units and it looks like they are adjustable at 50%, 75%, and 100%. So the lowest you could go is 300w with a 600w unit. Not shabby. I also see you can run it off of 120v or 240v. I personally don't have the option of doing a 240v but I've been told they run better on that circuit and both cords are included.

You're sure that the Sun System reflectors will work with this ballast?

Yeah, I like the fact they give you both cords right away, no BS! I run all my lights 240v, I feel it helps them to run smoother and more reliably.

If they don't work, I'll find the adaptors at the hydro store. One way or the other, I will have those ballasts!

 

[Hella THC]

If they don't work, I'll find the adaptors at the hydro store. One way or the other, I will have those ballasts!

I'd really like to find someone that has one and see what reflectors they use. I like things to work out of the box, but if it doesn't, these ballasts seem to be worth the trouble to make it work. Looks fantastic. I'm going to do some more digging on this subject.

 

[Tripsick]

 

[BudGood]

Perfect, that'll work out great! And when you feel you want to upgrade again, you can use your current tent to veg in, get the bigger tent (3x3, 4x4 preferably), and put flourescents in the veg! You'll be real glad you went with the Quantum, I'll bet you'll want to go higher than 50% sooner than you think!

What kind of reflectors have you looked at?

 

[Hella THC]

I agree that bigger is better for ventilation if I'm pulling through a 6 x 24 or x 18 can filter and that's the only vent.

That's a pretty large filter. Think you'll need something that big? Those 6" filters are usually rated between 400-500 CFM. At least that's what I've seen. You would hardly even get a 6 x 24 in the tent with ducting if my calculations are correct.

EDIT to say I'm retarded. The tent is 36" long... why do I fail so much? Either way, will that filter be a good size? What's the fan you're looking at rated at?

**EDIT** yet again... I think I'm too stoned. You're totally correct, and I'm just in la-la-land. My bad dude. Seems like that should work perfect for you! And me at some point!

 

[Tripsick]

 

[BudGood]

It looks like it'll work fine with the Yieldmaster shade, on this page is a video explaining the ballast. It looks like I'll be getting 3 of em come November! :

http://www.quantumhort.com/instruction.php

The reason why I recommend the YieldMaster 2 6" over the Sun System 2 is the ease of cleaning, the Yieldmasters glass is hinged, allowing you to open and clean it easily, bulb changes are a breeze, and the way it's gasketed looks like it'll seal better, so you know no stinky air is going anywhere but through the filter and getting scrubbed. For me it'll make sure I'm not pulling CO2 out of the soil room with my air cooled shades.

 

[Tripsick]

 

[BudGood]

Whats up with that super short cord on that??

 

[Tripsick]

 

[Hella THC]

I'd vote photoshopped

It looks like it'll work fine with the Yieldmaster shade

How can you be so sure. Everything is proprietary now a days. I'm thinking about shooting the company an email and asking if it will support a sun system ss1 or ss2 hood.

 

[BorkBorkBork]

Couple of notes...

You mentioned the Galaxy ballasts earlier (though you're talking Quantum)....I have the Galaxy 250, and it runs HOT (105 when I measured). This is easily fixed by pointing a fan at it, but just a heads up.

Also, re: fan: I'd be willing to bet that the 3 year warranty fan isn't nearly the quality of the vortex. Also, if you have never heard one running, be prepared, they are f'ing LOUD! Do not underestimate, and make it a big part of your planning, unless you live out in the boonies.....L-O-U-D!

 

[BorkBorkBork]

Couple of notes...

You mentioned the Galaxy ballasts earlier (though you're talking Quantum)....I have the Galaxy 250, and it runs HOT (105 when I measured). This is easily fixed by pointing a fan at it, but just a heads up.

Also, re: fan: I'd be willing to bet that the 3 year warranty fan isn't nearly the quality of the vortex. Also, if you have never heard one running, be prepared, they are f'ing LOUD! Do not underestimate, and make it a big part of your planning, unless you live out in the boonies.....L-O-U-D!

 

[Tripsick]

How much louder is the 6" over the 4" vortex?
I think i will stick with the Vortex brand but i have the 4" where i can hardly hear it. i was hoping the 6" would just be lower pitched... if not i think a 4" will cool the 250w if i end up going that route.

they are both listed at dB: 49
------------Size ----------------------- CFM -------- Amps --- Watts---- dBA
4" Vortex Inline Fan - VTX400 --------- 175 ------ .65 ------ 80 -------- 49
6" Vortex Inline Fan - VTX600 --------- 450 ------ .80 ------ 100 ------- 49

 

[growMEDS]

I would highly suggest an S&P inline fan if we're talking fans now lol

And a note about my htg greenhouse digi - runs really hot too - I have it on top of my tent with an inch of it hanging over the exhaust hole so it cools a little.

I think most 400 and up ballasts have built in fans?