I know this is an old thread but I would like to add my 2 cents for the record. I bought one of these 600w Apollo ballast with air cooled hood. Its been runing about a month now with no problems. Radio, internet, wifi and phone work the same as before. The ballast runs super quest and produces almost no heat.
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Apollo 600w HPS/MH Switchable/Dimmable Review
- Thread starter VAtransplant
- Start date
SecondAttempt
Active member
How's the thunder? Looks like the apollo.
I just got the 400 dimable. My first inspection revealed a very well finished product. The heat sink case is of substantial weight and the ballast is very quiet and quite cool to touch.
I expected the bulbs that came with to look cheap but their finish is very good.
I'm running the 4200K MH bulb now. It is a brighter white than I expected.
Very pleased so far.
I expected the bulbs that came with to look cheap but their finish is very good.
I'm running the 4200K MH bulb now. It is a brighter white than I expected.
Very pleased so far.
Last edited:
VAtransplant
Active member
Haven't been on here in a long while. Last harvest was sometime in Spring of '13.. still have some of my old harvest actually hah. Anyway, setting up again and just pulled the 600ws out of storage. I can't say I stored them very well, they rode in the back of my truck with tons of other junk from apartment to storage unit, then from that storage unit to another... just sitting in a rubbermaid storage tote with crap ontop of them.
Both fired up fine tonight just as quiet as ever
Both fired up fine tonight just as quiet as ever
I liked these so much I ordered another apollo 600w setup. running 1 600w in and 2 600w in flower. nothing (knock on wood) has broken or let me down as of yet. im on my 4th harvest with the Apollo systems. I do change out my bulbs (both mh and hps) after 2 harvests.
I used a coat hanger, stretched and cut to make a "hanger" to hold my ballast from my basement ceiling joists. hung in mid air helps with cooling (imo).
no radio/internet/tv issues either.
I used a coat hanger, stretched and cut to make a "hanger" to hold my ballast from my basement ceiling joists. hung in mid air helps with cooling (imo).
no radio/internet/tv issues either.
Redbluffer
New member
I have a couple 1000w Apollo digi ballasts, been running 12hrs a day for nearly a year w/ no issues. I just saw everyone commenting on the 600's and figured I'd throw up another positive experience, knock on wood. When I first got them I did use the dimmable features, starting at 50%, then 75% for couple weeks before finally maxing them out. There was a noticeable difference in the brightness at each stage and also heat my bulbs created. Thumbs up for the thowies!
stevewinthrop
Member
I'll also pimp these ballasts. I had to replace my lumatek but didn't feel like paying out the ass, and these fit the bill. Haven't had a problem at all, they're a really solid product.
stevewinthrop
Member
You won't regret it, they work great and you can't beat that price.
finally got around to ordering my backup ballasts. scored 2x Apollo 600's, from LowBaller on amazon and free shipping. and bought 3 ushio red super hps bulbs to test out.
stevewinthrop
Member
That's a winning combo, I'm using the ushio super red as well.
The MH bulb that comes with it is decent, but the HPS seemed a little dim to me so I upgraded.
The MH bulb that comes with it is decent, but the HPS seemed a little dim to me so I upgraded.
stevewinthrop
Member
Ushio are top tier bulbs, very high quality without the ridiculous price tag. Can't argue with that, save that extra 30-50 you were going to spend on a fancy name brand and take your sweetheart out for a movie.
That said, they're not the cheapest bulb, if that's what you're going for. A 600w can be found between 50 and 60 usually.
That said, they're not the cheapest bulb, if that's what you're going for. A 600w can be found between 50 and 60 usually.
stevewinthrop
Member
Mine have been fine, it's hard to judge things like this from online reviews. Most people will go out of their way to leave a review if something negative happened, but will not leave a review if the product worked as ordered.
Tips to avoid a burnout : keep the bulb cool, don't try to "overdrive" it with a ballast function.
I've always had my bulbs air cooled and have never had a bulb blow out before I replaced it. Replace your bulbs every few grows and you'll be fine.
Tips to avoid a burnout : keep the bulb cool, don't try to "overdrive" it with a ballast function.
I've always had my bulbs air cooled and have never had a bulb blow out before I replaced it. Replace your bulbs every few grows and you'll be fine.
stevewinthrop
Member
That's a choice you'd have to make. I can tell you that a 4x4x7 tent gets hot quick, so be sure to have a fan blowing up at the bulb or across it to move that hot air away, and have a good extraction setup.
stevewinthrop
Member
Good choice, there are better reflectors out there, but the Apollo ones are great for beginners. Umbrella reflectors are fine for basement or grow rooms where heat has some place to dissipate, but in a tent you might not be able to do much.
The Apollo 4x4x7 tent is a good match for their 600w ballast combos. Then you just need a fan and filter and you're on your way. I ended up going with the IPower 6 inch fan/filter combo. The fan is pretty noisy, but most fans are. I have a few old 4 inch squirrel cage fans that put out just as much noise but deliver half of the cfm, so I'm not one to complain.
The filter seems to be working my neighborhood doesn't smell like weed, so that's a plus.
Good luck! This is a great hobby and one that makes you feel good in more ways than one
The Apollo 4x4x7 tent is a good match for their 600w ballast combos. Then you just need a fan and filter and you're on your way. I ended up going with the IPower 6 inch fan/filter combo. The fan is pretty noisy, but most fans are. I have a few old 4 inch squirrel cage fans that put out just as much noise but deliver half of the cfm, so I'm not one to complain.
The filter seems to be working my neighborhood doesn't smell like weed, so that's a plus.
Good luck! This is a great hobby and one that makes you feel good in more ways than one
anyone know if the ushio is hotter than the standard Apollo bulb (hps)
oldsoul777
New member
apollo review
apollo review
Hello everyone! I am looking for a good site to visit as a regular. I find that I do not get many replys when I need them. Anyway this brand has been great! I have 2 of them. I have the 600w ballast and hood. I got the enclosed hood with glass, ballast, 1 HPS bulb, 1MH bulb, 1 set of ratchet hangers and a timer for 145.00 free shipping from lowballer on ebay. you can get it for 133.00 with out the enclosed hood but the other one hooks right to my carbon scrubber. I have had no issues. Works perfectly, is quiet and fires right up. Best bang for the buck! Like the original poster I did hours of reading before I made my purchase. here is a link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apollo-Hort...lb-Only-/180933709019?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
apollo review
Hello everyone! I am looking for a good site to visit as a regular. I find that I do not get many replys when I need them. Anyway this brand has been great! I have 2 of them. I have the 600w ballast and hood. I got the enclosed hood with glass, ballast, 1 HPS bulb, 1MH bulb, 1 set of ratchet hangers and a timer for 145.00 free shipping from lowballer on ebay. you can get it for 133.00 with out the enclosed hood but the other one hooks right to my carbon scrubber. I have had no issues. Works perfectly, is quiet and fires right up. Best bang for the buck! Like the original poster I did hours of reading before I made my purchase. here is a link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apollo-Hort...lb-Only-/180933709019?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
