400w metal halide and 400w high pressure sodium bulbs.

T

twisted signal

Member
I have just purchased a grow light and it comes with these two bulbs.

400W METAL HALIDE AND 1X 400W HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM BULBS.

I was just wondering which you would suggest using for the grow, both, just one, or what. Thanks alot in advance for anyone who helps, its very much appreciated.


 
MasterHemp said:
use the 400watt mh for the veg period and then switch to the hps for flowering
Click to expand...

Wicked, yeah I actually got them second hand but basically not used. Thats what he said to do, just wanted to double check. Any chance you could explain the reason for this at all as its good to know why. Thanks alot man.
 
It would have to come with two ballasts if not two reflectors in order to use both bulbs at the same time. If you can use them both and have the space for 800w of growing, blending HPS & MH bulbs usually provides are better spectrum of light than even an enhanced version of either one alone. If you don't use both for flowering, Hemp's plan will work best.
 
What kind of ballast is it? I'm curious if they sold you a HPS ballast, HPS bulb, and a MH conversion bulb? If your ballast is HPS, than you can't run a MH bulb, it has to be a conversion. You can tell that by the shape of the bulb. A regular MH bulb has a bubble, kind of round look. A HPS is straight, and a MH bulb is straight just like the HPS.

Make sure of what you have before you use it, so you don't damage your gear. I've never heard of a hydroponics store selling them as a package, so that's why I was curious.
 
twisted signal said:
Wicked, yeah I actually got them second hand but basically not used. Thats what he said to do, just wanted to double check. Any chance you could explain the reason for this at all as its good to know why. Thanks alot man.
Click to expand...

Do some reading here on light spectrum during growth stages. That will explain it to you.
 
bowlfullofbliss said:
What kind of ballast is it? I'm curious if they sold you a HPS ballast, HPS bulb, and a MH conversion bulb? If your ballast is HPS, than you can't run a MH bulb, it has to be a conversion. You can tell that by the shape of the bulb. A regular MH bulb has a bubble, kind of round look. A HPS is straight, and a MH bulb is straight just like the HPS.

Make sure of what you have before you use it, so you don't damage your gear. I've never heard of a hydroponics store selling them as a package, so that's why I was curious.
Click to expand...

Hi there man, this is what I got,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140456444198&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Thanks.
 
twisted signal said:
Wicked, yeah I actually got them second hand but basically not used. Thats what he said to do, just wanted to double check. Any chance you could explain the reason for this at all as its good to know why. Thanks alot man.
Click to expand...

Metal Halide (abbreviated MH)
Metal halide lighting systems are excellent for use in the vegetative phase of growing. They emit a lot of blue light, which encourages vigorous growth of foliage. They have good efficiency, but can be rather expensive to get started with; fluorescents may seem more appealing because of their lower price, but they are not much different when compared on a lumen-to-lumen cost level. These lights can be used for the duration of a grow, but will most likely result in light, fluffy buds.

High Pressure Sodium (abbreviated HPS)
High pressure sodium lamps emit mostly orange, yellow, and red light, which is ideal for the flowering stage of plant growth. They are generally the most efficient type of light available for any application, barring an extremely high efficiency LED, which I won't even discuss because of their extremely high cost. HPS lights can be used for the duration of a grow. While the plants do take longer to mature and be ready for flowering than with a metal halide light, they produce much more dense and usually larger buds.
HPS lights are generally more expensive than MH or MV systems of similar wattage. They are also the most efficient, and most widely used by experienced growers for their emitted spectrum and efficiency.
 
I only had a brief look at it as my mate got it for me, I cant believe it, it doesn't say there's one with it does there. No I don't have one, how much will that set me back getting the right one.

Thanks.
 
twisted signal said:
I only had a brief look at it as my mate got it for me, I cant believe it, it doesn't say there's one with it does there. No I don't have one, how much will that set me back getting the right one.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


LOL. A lot. Since you use the word "mate", I'm guessing your in another country, and I have no idea how to convert us dollars to whatever funny money you have :).
 
bowlfullofbliss said:
You have a conversion bulb to run off a HPS ballast. I don't see a ballast on that package. Do you already have that?
Click to expand...

I only had a brief look at it as my mate got it for me, I cant believe it, it doesn't say there's one with it does there. No I don't have one, how much will that set me back getting the right one.

Thanks.
 
$120 to $300 ! :O.

So I have bought something way over priced then?

Omg lol, I can not believe it. Im pretty noob so I mean I dont really know what im looking for when we talk about a ballast.

Anddd yes, seing double man :S..
 
Generally, MH for veg and HPS for flowering. I have done entire grows under HPS and everything turned out great. You can run both lights if you have 2 ballasts. This will give you a fuller spectrum for your garden, but will also be over 800 watts of light (heat and electrical use) to consider.
 
i have a 400w mh right now im using im gna drop another 400w but its gna b a hps. this is my first grow n i heard both lights were good.one of my lights have a built in ballast n i can change ththe bulb on it to hps or mh
 
Hello krontic. You will want to consider HPS for your flowering. If you have a switchable ballast, then you are golden. Just get an appropriate HPS bulb and use it when you switch to 12/12.
 
n would it be good to use both at the same time I have them both in there right now but I'm jus using the mh right now the other light has the hps bulb but hasn't been turned on yet n I'm worried bout electricity bill with another 400 runnin
 
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