630w DE - CMH?

Canadian4meds said:

I'm researching lighting for my first set up and was wondering if anyone has tried the de cmh 630w from

http://growershouse.com/growers-choice-630w-de-double-ended-ceramic-mh-cmh-lamp-4200k

It's not a dual 315w cmh like I am used to seeing I have not been able to find any info on these. please help. This is my first time posting in a forum sorry if I am doing this wrong.

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that is one sweet bulb.if I had a larger grow room I'd be real tempted to try it

Canadian4meds said:

I thought it was PAR that was more important compared to the lumens for plant life? I have looked into some diy cob set ups and if I had a little bit more technical know how I'd try to put one together myself but unfortunately I'm pretty sure I'd just end up starting starting a fire lol

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its actually spectrum thats important for plant growth. deep red leds will give a high par value but will not grow plants well. LPS will produce 190 lumens per watt but don't grow plants well. the light being discussed in this thread (cmh bulbs) come close to matching the absorption spectrum for cannabis plants.spectrum is important to growing good quality product. compare the SPD of this light and that of a 3000k 70cri led to the measured absorption spectrum and you will see that CMH bulbs give pants more of what they need

Dynamo626 said:

Why COBs? Efficiency. For every 100watts of energy used your plants see what ever Percentage of efficiency they are: KIND epistsr LEDs 22.5% Plants see 22.5 Watts, HPS 30%... Switch to cobs and your plants see upwards of 60%. More light = More good.

btw cobs are fantastic but very expensive unless you have the knowledge to diy. Cmh is a less expensive option and is getting cheaper all the time. If you have the cheddar go lep or cob.

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Who's doesn't have the cash in this industry? But I got cha not everyone does and I agree I would use these if I didn't have $850 to spend on a kick ass light. I'll make them for cost of parts for people in Michigan btw

HockeyBeard said:

3100K with enhanced red is probably the best bulb on the market to flower, color wise, imo. Plus it has UV. I don't see the point of flowering under the 4200K when the 3100K is available, unless you're vegging under it too.

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I am currently running the 4200k In a 4x4 in an open fixture In an auto grow and so far I think this light has been amazing. I keep reading that no one should use the 4200k so Im wondering If i made a mistake but my buds a big and dense I am running it on a vivosun digital dimmable ballast dimmed to 600 I know it will degrade the bulb faster but as some others said even at 150 price tag I already had all the other supplys needed so it wasnt much to spend to try out cmh for my self. this was a few days ago I will be harvesting in the next couple days as the trics all reach maturation

Dillin graham said:

I am currently running the 4200k In a 4x4 in an open fixture In an auto grow and so far I think this light has been amazing. I keep reading that no one should use the 4200k so Im wondering If i made a mistake but my buds a big and dense I am running it on a vivosun digital dimmable ballast dimmed to 600 I know it will degrade the bulb faster but as some others said even at 150 price tag I already had all the other supplys needed so it wasnt much to spend to try out cmh for my self. this was a few days ago I will be harvesting in the next couple days as the trics all reach maturation

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I want to see your results, 600W of CMH would be sick, still more expensive than diy cobs but awesome either way.

Canadian4meds said:

Can someone tell me if this would be a better option over the Chinese ballast? It's a 1000w low frequency square wave de hps system that is dimmable to 600w. It is only available for pre order right now though 499.99 us
http://revolutionmicro.com/revolution-products/

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I am running it on a 1000 w generic digital dimmable ballast with great results it may not last as long but I cant see where investing 500 in a ballast if this lasts through two grows or maybe three Im running it 20/4 most of the time with the 4200 I do want to get one of the 3100 but looking at the spectrums comparison I just had to choose the 4200 as it was just better the only advantage to spoectrum of 3100 was far red which Im not sure is something we care about the 4200 is killing it so far

Canadian4meds said:

I have considered this option as well the only problem i had other then not knowing about the ballast quality was it would cost $330 canadian (for the kit at growers house $167 u.s. plus 80 u.s. to include a bulb) plus another 150-200 for a decent reflector up here so about 500 which is great but i would need two to cover my area where as I would only need one 630w de cmh, although two would give me a slightly larger area (3x6(18 sq ft)vs 4x4(16 Sq ft)) but i don't need any more. If I could find an appropriate double bulb reflector then that might be the ultimate solution though. I will maybe see about going that route. I guess maybe it will come down to intensity and spectrum of the de 630w vs the dual 315w if i can find a double bulb reflector. Thanks a lot for all your help and experience I appreciate all the help while im trying to learn.

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Canadian4meds said:

Agreed but it would cost me less for this 630w double ended set up then a 315w sun system so this makes way more sense for me in canada anyway to go for the 630w de cmh. I got an email from GC today that stated they make as much heat as a 600w de hps and and should be kept as far as as 1000w from the plants due to the high PAR output and on the conservative side will cover cover a 4x4 footprint with ease. Just for anyone curious. If the 315w sun systems were half the price of the 630w de cmh set up it would be a no brainer to get the two 315 for better light spread but I'm not paying more for 315w then I would for 630. Maybe if i lived somewhere with ridiculous electricity charges it would make more sense to go with a 315w maybe

Cheapest 315w sun system in canada = 750
315w Phillips cmh bulb = 149.99 -$199.99
Total $900-$950 canadian

630w de cmh bulb + 1000w square wave ballast and fixture shipped= $845 canadian.

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screw the squaare wave ballast they are completely over charging us right now as the industry is booming with all the states going legal gavita is still king but cmh is coming and spectrum is unrivaled Ive posted pics I choose to try it because I saw it in that advertisement magazine tho the bulb was very expensive I really wanted to try CMH it said words with current de digital ballasts and I have a few of thos and a couple hoods one sun system de/ac got for 250 but for 59 I got a vivosun generic open commercial reflecter and that is what I am using in 4x4 tent so for just 150 for the bulb no other costs for lighting I am blowing my tent up square wave im sure is great im trying to get one for reasonable price just found a 315 for a 100 bucks but I still would need new hood and 315 bulb so I think Im going too stick with just getting the de cmh and using my digital high frequewncy ballasts I will post when the light needs replacing its been two months going strong at 20/4

Dillin graham said:

I am currently running the 4200k In a 4x4 in an open fixture In an auto grow and so far I think this light has been amazing. I keep reading that no one should use the 4200k so Im wondering If i made a mistake but my buds a big and dense I am running it on a vivosun digital dimmable ballast dimmed to 600 I know it will degrade the bulb faster but as some others said even at 150 price tag I already had all the other supplys needed so it wasnt much to spend to try out cmh for my self. this was a few days ago I will be harvesting in the next couple days as the trics all reach maturation

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If you're only running one bulb in a 4x4, yeah, you don't have to worry about early degradation nearly as much. But I will be running 4-8, so I'm not going to risk it. The 4200K isn't bad, by any means, it's just simply not as well tuned as 3100K+R. Think you're doing ok there? You'll do better under the other bulb. And the fact that you're running autos makes a lot of comparisons tough. Autos are just meh, imo.

Dillin graham said:

I am currently running the 4200k In a 4x4 in an open fixture In an auto grow and so far I think this light has been amazing. I keep reading that no one should use the 4200k so Im wondering If i made a mistake but my buds a big and dense I am running it on a vivosun digital dimmable ballast dimmed to 600 I know it will degrade the bulb faster but as some others said even at 150 price tag I already had all the other supplys needed so it wasnt much to spend to try out cmh for my self. this was a few days ago I will be harvesting in the next couple days as the trics all reach maturation

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are you using the 42ook 630 de cmh in an open fixture? the reason I ask is I'm running the 3100 in an air cooled fixture because a nanolux rep advised it and the growers choice sais it isn't compatible with the gavita. I expanded my room after this last harvest and have 4 diablo de complete fixtures I'm using 1000 watt hps in them now but want to run the 3100r-red I'm just afraid of blowing a bulb and possibly starting a fire. what open fixture are you using?

Here's one jammed into a super sun2 ac hood I already had (there have been tests and it showed a decent spread in 4x4.) Had to replace the mogul socket w de @$75, 160 for ballast and 140 bulb...
$375 not including reflector.. Not cheap.

Dynamo626 said:

are you using the 42ook 630 de cmh in an open fixture? the reason I ask is I'm running the 3100 in an air cooled fixture because a nanolux rep advised it and the growers choice sais it isn't compatible with the gavita. I expanded my room after this last harvest and have 4 diablo de complete fixtures I'm using 1000 watt hps in them now but want to run the 3100r-red I'm just afraid of blowing a bulb and possibly starting a fire. what open fixture are you using?

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So if I'm not mistaken your using the new 630 bulb in the AC/De air cooled hood with the Galaxy 1000w De select a watt electronic ballast? I'm asking cause I'm intrested in this setup since thier isint a reliable de low fq ballast out yet. Also do you know if the select a watt feature works properly on the Galaxy ballast cause I would like to run 600 watt hps/mh bulbs if the 630cmh fails early. Thanks

Kobe567 said:

So if I'm not mistaken your using the new 630 bulb in the AC/De air cooled hood with the Galaxy 1000w De select a watt electronic ballast? I'm asking cause I'm intrested in this setup since thier isint a reliable de low fq ballast out yet. Also do you know if the select a watt feature works properly on the Galaxy ballast cause I would like to run 600 watt hps/mh bulbs if the 630cmh fails early. Thanks

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yes ac de fixture powered by galaxy select a watt. I haven't had any problems with the 630 bulb yet its been 4 months. fyi though growers choice just released there 630 de complete it around 600.00 bucks. not much more than the galaxy and fixture and its powered by there low frequency square wave ballast

Dynamo626 said:

yes ac de fixture powered by galaxy select a watt. I haven't had any problems with the 630 bulb yet its been 4 months. fyi though growers choice just released there 630 de complete it around 600.00 bucks. not much more than the galaxy and fixture and its powered by there low frequency square wave ballast

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Thanks man. Do you have a link to thier 630 complete low fq I saw the info page for it but can't find anywhere to purchase

Kobe567 said:

Thanks man. Do you have a link to thier 630 complete low fq I saw the info page for it but can't find anywhere to purchase

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You have to have your local hydro store order. They do not sell direct to the public.

I spoke with growerschoice on the phone. turns out they only have a few sample fixtures now the main release is the end of january. managing a hydro store has its perks! they are sending me one for free! it will be here next week. ill post some unboxing photos when it comes

Evil-Mobo said:

You have to have your local hydro store order. They do not sell direct to the public.

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your correct. The first thing they told me was to go to my local hydro store and they could get one in for me. Had to laugh! ummm i manage a hydro store. we spoke for a few they. ill be speaking with the owners to get it in the store when it comes out but in the mean time they are sending me one to try out.

Dynamo626 said:

your correct. The first thing they told me was to go to my local hydro store and they could get one in for me. Had to laugh! ummm i manage a hydro store. we spoke for a few they. ill be speaking with the owners to get it in the store when it comes out but in the mean time they are sending me one to try out.

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That's awesome I will keep an eye out for your exp with it.

Its low profile. Only 7 inches. Its sexy black with the white GC logo. Get thes.... Theres a hinged clip instead if slide to hold the de lamp in place