Mother of Berries, M.O.B. Maine Strain

I supppse I could always keep the electric bill cheap and put up a 4 ft T8 over the top and have LEDs hang from the side. Yield won’t be the same but would have coverage
 
You could do that too. HIDs are an awesome tool I am just saying I myself would err on the side of a 600 watt one and add in LEDs to get the coverage you want but that is just me. I would get one in either a cool tube or an air cooled hood. I myself have preferred the air cooled hoods but have heard of other being able to keep temps down better with the cool tubes. Last I checked you could get a 600 watt dimmable ballast set up online for $200 or less.
 
I think I will probably go with a 600W HPS. If you could educate me on why you wouldn’t use a 1000W so that I understand in the future. Is it just overkill or are their concerns of light bleaching, safety concerns, just an electric bill killer, etc. looking forward to hearing from you Yeti.
 
Excellent points the insight is much appreciated! Would you say the cost is worth the yield? Your right about extra cooling and headspace. Are you confident that 600W plus LED would cover my objective (12 week veg of 4 skunks in 25 gallon pots w/ training as needed)? I have limited real estate and want to get the most bang for my buck. Patience has never been my friend so I’m always doing things as quickly as possible which I know isn’t great for growing or in general, it’s just How i am
 
TheGreenYeti said:
How big is your area? I covered 4 7 gallon pots with the 600 alone, 4 25 gallons may need a bit more. Are you in a 5x5? If you are in a 5x5 a 600 and a couple of LEDs may well cover what you need.
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I have a 5x5 yes and I can work the two LEDs in. Do you think the yields of HPS are worth the electric bill? I’m definitely getting one I’m just rationalizing I guess.
 
I cant recall what my best yield was using my 600s but I used them for years. it was cheaper to grow it then to buy it. One of my first grows with my first 600 I pulled 9 ounces. Which is not great but it was over a half pound I did not have to buy. I know I had pulled 12 ounces other times under one. This is out of 7s at the largest and would say I averaged 3 ounces per plant.
 
This might be a dumb question but let’s say my initial purchase is the 600W HPS and decide I figure out a way to manage the cooling issues. Do I need a new ballast to upgrade to a 1000W or is it simply a matter of buying the bulb?
 
You can put a lower wattage bulb on a higher watt ballast but not the other way round. Thats when things go bang lol. Im currently using a dimmable ballast with a dual spectrum hps. Currently got it in my little tent though on 250 but if I could fit my air cooled hood in there Id have it up at 400. But my big tent is under another 600 hps and its keeping my tent warm enough especially now its getting to summer. Im scrogging so that I have an even canopy to maximize yield. How much do people reckon I can pull outta my 4x4 scrog under the 600hps? Provided I fill the screen with tops!
 
Oh and the dimmable ballast has a superlumen function (bulb must be compatible) which pushes a bit extra out of your light. Once mama mias finished in the little tent ill be switching ballasts and putting the 4x4 in overdrive for flower
 
Thanks for all the information guys. Very helpful. I’m hopinf to get a hortilux bulb after buying a kit. I was advised this was a safe option. I love LEDs I really do but I’m at a point now where I need some real horsepower.
 
Bilbobudkin420 said:
Oh and the dimmable ballast has a superlumen function (bulb must be compatible) which pushes a bit extra out of your light. Once mama mias finished in the little tent ill be switching ballasts and putting the 4x4 in overdrive for flower
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I do not know if all digital ballasts have the super lumen function. Mine all only have the 50,75,100% options. I htink it all depends on the ballasts you choose.
 
TheGreenYeti said:
I do not know if all digital ballasts have the super lumen function. Mine all only have the 50,75,100% options. I htink it all depends on the ballasts you choose.
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Na not all of them. Dont know if I can say what the company is cos I heard you cant mention non sponsors but its a reasonably cheap model compared to other digi ballasts
 
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