Opinions on a 600w HPS

[Greenheart]

In a couple of weeks I want to invest in a HPS system. I've been thinking on a 430W but now I'm upgrading that thought process to a 600w. Price is important but quality essential. I am wanting to get a HPS/MH combo bulb. Possibly a CMH in the future.

Will that require me to stay in the 400W range?
Anyone have any links to share or brands they rec? (usa)

I have been looking at this one in particular any thoughts? http://www.accessdiscounts.com/sku-66043.html

It looks rough but sounds like they build a good one.

 

[budlover123]

buy a 400-600 watt ballast like a switchable lumatek, my friend got one and his grow space couldn't handle 600 watts, he's used it at 400 ever since, they are priced the same as other brands that don't have the switchable feature, they work with HPS and MH, get a digital ballast with options.

 

[OsWiZzLe]

600 watt HPS and dont look back....CMH is a total waste of time

 

[whodair]

430 hps

430 hps

...CMH is a total waste of time

word

 

[Greenheart]

sexy

 

[g33kdro]

i love 600hps's, 1000's are heaters imo. 430 watt hps are nice and 400w cmh are great for growth/transition... digilux now has a 600 mh... might check one of those out soon.

 

[scurred]

400w is the maximum for a CMH bulb and they can only run on magnetic ballasts so you cant get a lumatek or another digital ballast and run a CMH bulb

400 vs 600 depends on your grow space. unless you air cool you need to keep a 400w 12-18" from the top of the plants, a 600w needs to be kept 18-24" from the top of the plants. i think this will vary from plant to plant but if the light is too close it will burn the plant. also unless your grow space is bigger than 3x3 a 400w is plenty.

 

[Greenheart]

Anyone have anything to say about the Sunleaves or Quantum brands?

I was talking to a friend's friend who told me at his shop he sends the lumatek brand back more frequently for warrantee work.

He told me Sunleaves for magnetic and Quantum for digital. I have also mentally upgraded to a 1000w system as I didn't want to have to come back later kicking my own self in the ass.

The power box is wired with a double 20A/20A circut breaker providing 2 separate lines one to a 20A GFI the other a 15A GFI. Room size 3.5'W x 7'L x 6'H. Built with Duroc brand concrete board and Reflectix brand insulation stapled over it to provide reflective surface.

Thank you scurred for the info I was hoping you could run a lower wattage bulb in a higher wattage ballast guess I play with CMH another day.

 

[scurred]

CMH is good for veg but the bud shots ive seen on this forum that were CMH grown never really look as appealing as HPS grown buds.

3.5 x 7, I'd rather get 2x400w or 2x600w in that area rather than 1 1000w

and if this is your first grow or your first time with large watt lights I'd start with a 400 or 600 at the most. 600 is actually the most efficient light, you get the most light per watt

 

[RomulusUSA]

From my research, 2x600w will be your best bet. I'd divide it into (2) 3.5x3.5ft rooms, single ballast, dual hoods/lamps, a timer and some 120v relays, a panel box (proper name escapes me ATM), and a couple receptacles.

Also, others have shown HPS > CMH for flowering. And my local store swears by Sun System Harvest Pro and Hortilux. Their prices are way better than online too, FWIW.

 

[Buffoonman]

The light in the link looks OK but if you look on ebay reckon you will get one a lot cheaper. I to prefer 600w, you can get hps bulbs with added blue spectrum you can use all the way through the grow. i.e growlux bulbs.

 

[Greenheart]

I want to thank all of you for your input.

I have settled on a Sunleaves brand 1000w it had an 8yr warrantee. Twin 600W's would be pretty sweet and is tempting but funds are a bit limited for the time being. I also have alot of cfl power (1500W) to play with ranging from 23-105W bulbs. I was going to accent the sides with them. I will put up some before and after pics sooner or later once the whole project is complete.

once again

-GH-