New or pre used?

buying brand new grow equipment is like a kid on Christmas morning opening there gifts and cant wait to play with them. but for your new gifts might be an arm and a leg to buy so why not go pre used? yes it would be cheaper but you might not know what that equipment might have been through or how many hours are on it. so my question is what have you guys done or any advice on new or pre used?

I bought 2x600 full rigs a few months ago and have since replaced both ballasts and both bulbs. But I paid the same for everything as the hoods alone would've cost new anyways, so no money lost for me.

I have used stuff. Just won't get used bulbs or filters. Alot of the used stuff is from people that grew once and found out it's alot of work and don't want to do it.

i can smell test a filter but i agree no used bulbs, digital ballasts w/o testing, or filters, at least when you start up. when your moneys right and you can afford it thats when i recommend all brand new everything. magnetic ballasts, inline fans, hoods, water pumps, air pumps trays and more that stuff tends to be durable and long lasting and is getting sold because they either gave up or got thier money right and dont need so much shit. also the best and cheapest lighting source is low/high bay lights retro fitted for agricultural use. wow big word i dont even feel like it applies... anyways but the big sellers of magnetic ballasts are usualy refurbs of bay lights put in a different shell.

Yes you can smell test a filter but. Can you tell if it was in a room that got pollenated?

Brand new equipment is getting much more affordable. $200 for 600w digital ballast, bulb, socket and hood. Very quiet and have not had one fail yet. The bulbs are wide spectrum with a 1 year warranty and work great. Some of my friends use more expensive equipment but I don't see any difference. The digital ballasts have a perfect power factor so you can run a pair of 600's on an everyday 120v wall outlet with a beefy 120v timer.

Warlock1369 said:

I have used stuff. Just won't get used bulbs or filters. Alot of the used stuff is from people that grew once and found out it's alot of work and don't want to do it.

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I agree with this 110% bulbs and filters i would buy new but other than that if i can find a deal on slightly used stuff for less buy it after testing it and getting some back round info on it.

Sounds like a good deal

SupraSPL said:

Brand new equipment is getting much more affordable. $200 for 600w digital ballast, bulb, socket and hood. Very quiet and have not had one fail yet. The bulbs are wide spectrum with a 1 year warranty and work great. Some of my friends use more expensive equipment but I don't see any difference. The digital ballasts have a perfect power factor so you can run a pair of 600's on an everyday 120v wall outlet with a beefy 120v timer.

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Hey not to jack a thread but how quiet are we talking about? I just got a iPowerGrowLight digital ballast and the fan that cools is it pretty damn loud... I know there are ballasts that don't have a fan...are those completely quiet? Would u recommend a brand?

It's like buying a used car. You don't know how it was treated by it's former owner. It could be good or a lemon. It almost always will not come with a warranty. Shop around online for best prices from actual website stores, and run a business check on bbb.org (Better Business Bureau) to see how that business treats complaints. My advice is always use name brands familiar at all stores. ie. Hydrofarm, Sunlight, etc.

Totally agree about what to buy used and what not. If you are just starting out and cash is short, finding some used = cheap equipment sure is helpful.

plus a bonus to buying used it will save you some cash and help you figure out better ways to grow so when you do have extra cash you can buy new equipment kind of a win win if you ask me

pollinated hahah...... rubbing alcohol ahhaha. sorry man good laugh im too anal and clean i have a lab coat i put on b4 i go in my room and blue footies.

Hey i don't blame you man i always use anti-bacterial soap before i go in my room and i never let my pets in the room as well.

Them spider mites will get you every time lol

Kirk Lazarus said:

Hey not to jack a thread but how quiet are we talking about? I just got a iPowerGrowLight digital ballast and the fan that cools is it pretty damn loud... I know there are ballasts that don't have a fan...are those completely quiet? Would u recommend a brand?

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I was referring to the newer digital greenhouse ballasts from htgsupply. They do have small fans and are by no means silent but quieter since they switched designs in early 2011.