help with few light questions please

[blackpulpit]

Hello all, first post here and glad to be in the company of those who can help. I am planning my grow room out and could use some help with a few items. I really want to veg and flower under the same light due to space/wife and other things and after doing some research have come to this idea and would like to know if this is possible?
I would like to know if I can use the Lumatek digital ballast with ability to use 400, 600 or 1000w lights be good so I could essentially use the 400 for veg then when comes time to flip the switch just change out my bulb to my preferred 600? does this sound feasible and does anyone here do such a thing. I simply want to use a 600w for flowering, but, use a 400w mh for veg all in one light simply changing out bulbs, thanks for the help and suggestions, if you know of best ballast etc to do this with please let me know thanks.

 

[AloeRuss]

Hi Black - You got it! it is a very good way of doing it this way.
I myself bought a 1000w hydrolux bulb and just switched the ballast when I need it.
Good luck

 

[blackpulpit]

Thanks Aloe, could you explain the switching of ballast you do instead of switching out bulbs? or do I have this wrong, thanks mate for the quick response.

 

[stonedar]

Some ballasts are switch-able, they can run different wattage bulbs. Just switch bulbs and dail the correct setting on the ballast. Sunlight supply's Galaxy Select-A-Watt series for example.
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics...-600w-electronic-dimmable-ballast-p-3491.html

Some ballasts are dimmable, you don't change bulbs just dim them to a lower wattage.

All electronic ballasts run both MH & HPS bulbs.

 

[ladera]

The 600w Gavita Digistar ballast is reversable/dimmable and has 4 settings 300/400/600/660 boost

 

[blackpulpit]

Thanks all!

@Ladera: I live in Central America and finding the Gavita seems very difficult, thanks though read good things about them

It seems the Lumatek digital that changes wattage is being discontinued I hear (says on Amazon)…is there a new one that changes wattage or does anyone have more suggestions?

Do you think buying a Lumatek even though the model is being discontinued it would be fine for use then down the road can get a different? thanks all.

 

[blackpulpit]

or maybe invest simply in a 250w MH or small LED and I can try to find a small space for it, I will be growing from seed so I don't want to much heat problems since I am a newbie, yet I want to have a fast veg growth rate as best as possible, hope this info helps.

 

[AloeRuss]

Dimable ballast is a way to go. There are scores of them out there. So if you insert a 1000w bulb in your hood and connect to the ballast you will be able to dim your bulb to the wattage you choose on the ballast.
That is what I do with all my grows. I vegge under 600 and switch it to a 1000 beginning of flowering. No bulb change required.

 

[blackpulpit]

Thanks Aloe and that is what I did, I just ordered 2 Solis Tek 1000w dimmable and it can use different size hps and mh bulbs, so I can use a 400w mh for veg on the 400w setting, then switch to a 600w or even a 1000w hps as long as I use it on the correct setting.
I say this because I have heard the spectrum changes when dimming a bulb up/down, granted I have no idea if this is true or not simply stating this because it was a changeable "bulb" ballast I was looking for, thanks. Oh I bought 2 because it is hard to get items of such importance down here fast enough if something went wrong with the first one.

 

[AloeRuss]

Hmmm.. You thought of everything. But you did the right thing.
Just make sure their return policy is good enough to use.

Good luck.

 

[blackpulpit]

Thank you, I hope so, we have a hydroponic store here with a nice lineup of nutrients and HPS/MH bulbs of every wattage and brand along with timers, etc, etc…BUT….no good ballasts, actually only one brand it it was very cheap and do not need to risk a cheap one so bought 2 of these, I will have more questions as I go along and appreciate your help, have a good one.

 

[AloeRuss]

They are good I have Solis Tek in my growroom. It's the model that have an over-drive setting that pushes 1000w bulb 5 percent higher. Don't know how but it does.

Just let me know how it goes when u get it and absolutely, if u need any help let me know.

 

[blackpulpit]

Thank you very much, Im gonna need it, but, sure do look forward to the journey. I do believe now I will be getting a grow tent and thinking size 4x4x7, My question is this:

Can this size tent using either a 600whps or 1000w even, keep temps down along with humidity by good air circulation and also nice cool/cold air (50 to 60s every night) through inline fan being blown in, will run lights at night when it's coldest….also only growing 2 plants no more?? the reason I want to run either a 600w (probably best) or try the 1000w (since I have the capability) is for density of final product, not saying can't with 400w but just preference, thanks.