Sunsytem 400w

Thinking about getting a Sunsystem 2 400W mh/hps switchable. Comes with both bulbs fairly cheap, upgrade to glass and air vent fitting as well. Can get it for 246US. The reason I'm getting this is it's in my price range. Question is will it be suffice for a grow tent? tent is a grolab 2'x2'x5'3". Also will this tent be suffice for say 3 plants? Medium height, bushy. Answers and feedback welcomed. Just don't say buy this light for 500 or this hut for 400. This is my price range so if you insist on suggesting other products please be sure they are close to my price range. Can go over a little bit but NOT much. Thanks.

Is that $246 Delivered?
You are going to need a pretty big fan for that light in that tent, about right for lumens/ft i think, as long as you keep it close. I would say at least a 200 cfm inline fan, more like 300-350 if its a duct booster fan.....
But yes good size for that tent, just plan on fighting it a little as you get set up. A good thermometer is important, with hygrometer helps a lot too. Good luck!

Don't do it!!!! Here's a dimmable lumatek digital ballast with air cooled sealed hood and bulb for the same price with free delivery (so actually $50 cheaper). Much much better ballast and better reflector as well.

http://www.urbansunshine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=233_373_374&products_id=18514

No you got a nice magnetic ballast. It has a thick copper coil. wall mountable handle, american capacitor and seperate compartments for replacing your capcitors and ignitor. you could think of investing in a good bulb like a Hortilux or a Warm deluxe to really get the most out of it

buy a 400w HPS Magnetic ballast, a reflector and the Philips 400w Rhetro White CMH bulb.

Ballast are 120.00, 70.00 for a open econo reflector (great with the CMH) at Hydroponicssource.com

you can pick up the Philips bulb for 55.00 shipped to your door. so about 260.00 total after shipping.
you can use the Philips CMH for Veg AND for Bud as its the closed man made representation to the suns actual light spectrum, including UVB.

also the 400w cmh produces less heat over HPS or MH, or other "Conversion" bulbs available.

i can put my hand about 3 inches from the light after being on for 10 hrs and hold it there indefinatly.
yes it is pretty warm, but its not hot or painfull.

but with the UVB, i dont recommend doing it.

thanks for the help guys. Gastanker I was looking at them as well. They are my top choice but from what I've read if you have problems with the ballast you would have to send it back and how it's a big hassle. The ONLY reason I'm thinking about the sunsystem 2 is because it's the best light my hydro shop has for the money with what I want. I want a 400w switchable/ small compact would prefer corded ballast but this one is enclosed. Also, want it sealed with glass and must have vented air fitting so I can can run an exhaust duct to and from it. This one only has it on one side but I will change that if I have to take it completely apart and remove the ballast and make it corded no problem for me I have materials/tools at my disposal like nobodies business. But back to the selling point is this: I dont want to have to send it back in in the middle of a grow and be completely screwed and left with nothing but cfl and fluro tubes. Worst case scenario it happens wk 5 flower or something. I need that hps. now what. If I get this one I only have to say shit I gtg and in the vehicle for an hour drive bitching the whole way tear somebodies ass apart when I get there and fun out with a new one. vs wait 2 wks to get a new one. If anyone else see's a good bargain on what i'm looking for at a hydro store in MPLS,MN let me know here is the links:

http://www.interiorgardens.com/
http://www.midwesthydroponics.com/

Even on small purchases you can usually talk the hydro shop down 10-15%, ask about coupons! I agree with the hydro shop thinking though!

good info thanks alot. I will be sure to talk to them about it. Cuz in order for me to get the best prices I'm going to need to go to 2 different hydro shop's to get all my stuff and by doing that I will be saving close to $100 bucks, but I will mention their prices on this and this and give em a chance to match or beat it. But I still need to go to the other store anyways lol They have ffof 1.5 cu ft bags of soil for 19.00 and the other store only has the 12qt bags for 8.95. ha Unless they give me 3 1/2 bags for the same price which I doubt and I will be getting 5 cuft

there are several options available at int gardens. I have shopped there a couple times. for a seperate ballast option for just a bit more I would go with this http://www.hydroponics-garden.com/hpe400.html or for cheaper and depending on your space I would go with this http://www.hydroponics-garden.com/ss101000.html not as nice of a reflector but more lumens for less$$ is always good if you ask me. But then I just went with the old 400wHPS shop light for $30 off craigslist. works great.

well ditch, I think I really like that 4oo you showed me! I never even bothered to look, I figured they were a bit out of my price range but that is precisely what I'm wanting and the price is right and I can even take it back if it breaks down w/o shipping. I would love that 1000 but right now with the tent im getting I don't think I could control that kinda heat, I could pipe straight outside and intake straight in but I think the overall space is just to small for a tent, what ya'll think? Would a 1000 work in a tent? With a standard relflector or 6" pipe?air cooled obviously but the heat would still be to great I think.