Changing from CFLs to HID question

[grumpyoldman]

howdy peeps,

 

After doing my first run of flowering on CFLs, I've decided to switch over to a HID, for at least flowering anyways.Only problem is have a few questions I couldn't find so thought I would ask instead of continuing on banging my head. I originally chose CFL for power savings but while it made some nice buds, I'm hoping a HID will make the 2nd gen perform better.

 

First off, after some research I plan on spending a bit of extra cash and buy a Lumatek 400w/250w ballast. What i can't find out is how it connects to the lamp shade. My CFL shade has one of the monster connectors built in, inside the shade is some magic and it connects directly to the socket. What I needed to know is can I use this shade with a HID ballast or do I need to buy a new one? would anyone recommend a particular brand over another or is it worth to go lumatek?

 

The other question is more just verification (its late and I've had one too many ;P ) a metal halide (MH) globe is for veg, and a high pressure sodium (HPS) globe is for flowering, correct?

 

Currently, I've got my 2 babies recovering after the first harvest in a cupboard which is 720mm by 580mm & the light can go up to about 1.2m. There is a extractor fan for my carbon filter which moves around 140 cfm so I am hoping that can deal with the extra heat too.

 

Sorry for the ramble but you know why hehe I'm off to mourn over the last breaking bad & watch blacklist. Thanks in advance and as always any tips are always appreciated.

Edited October 1, 2013 by grumpyoldman

[The Hash Nibbler]

On that shade lead, there should be a plug with a round earth pin, then it may have an adapter fitted to it to use on a standard power point for the (I take it philips 80wer) CFL.

If you take the adapter off then you can put your HPS globe (just go hps and use for both veg and flower) in the shade and run to new ballast.

If not, you will either need a shade/lead to suit.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Peace. Nibbler.

[dynamin]

yea just use hps.

 

you won't regret switching up from cfls! they're totally no good for flowering bro.

[Cyclone]

I would also recommend just using a HPS for veg and flower.

 

However it should be noted, there are specialist bulbs that are designed for this.

 

Other are not, and will give you poor vegetative performance.

 

A Philips Son T agro is a great multi role bulb that many people here use including myself.

Your local hydro shop will almost certainly stock them.

 

Cyclone -

[The Stoned Jester]

you won't regret switching up from cfls! they're totally no good for flowering bro.

 I beg to differ   that was grown with a single 80w CFL.

 

they are decent for flowering, the buds are just not as dense.

[Phytogenesis]

^^ That's pretty decent for a single CFL!

 

Phyto.

[grumpyoldman]

thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

 

and yeah mine was pretty much like Jesters' but i have a 130w globe which claims to be the same as a 600w, I was really impressed with the top buds but wasn't impressed with the lower sections. Admittedly this is still a learning stage for me and mucking around with it. 

 

As faith no more said, its all fun and games until someone pokes an eye out, then its fkn hilarious

 

Thanks again

 

GoM

[Cyclone]

 

...i have a 130w globe which claims to be the same as a 600w...

 

Didn't know they made 600w incandescent globes

[grumpyoldman]

Didn't know they made 600w incandescent globes

 

pffft smartypants. Now that I think about it they never acutally specified those exact details............ damnit

 

They put out maybe around 7800 lumens or so, so now my luck it would be a frickin large incandescent globe for sure

[Cyclone]

A good 600 watt HPS globe puts off about 90,000 lumens.

 

600w worth of CFL at the lumen output you provided = 36,000 lumens.

So in this case, your nearly two thirds behind a HID lamp for the same amount of power.

 

I think a 400w HPS would do you nicely. The difference in bud yield would make any

'electricity saving' seem nonsensical

 

Good luck

 

Cyclone -