Was thinking I could bring my whole operation in for under £60. However, am I right in thinking that the correct light socket for a 400w Sodium/ HPS bulb is not a cheap socket and plug set up? I'm reading alot of info stating you need a proper system with ballasts etc and that there's no such thing as a cheap alternative. Is this right?
Well, in the states, a new 400W HPS can be bought off ebay for about 150 shipped. I found mine in a newspaper classified used for 100, but I've since bought a new bulb($30); its a nicer lamp than the ones on ebay for 150. A HPS light needs a special housing(M59???) plus a ballast. They don't just screw into a standard light socket. A cheaper option would be to use a number of those compact flourescent bulbs(the spirally ones) in normal sockets. Cheers
The cost of the light is cheap compared to the cost of electricity so you might want to think about that if you are on a budget.
HID lamps (like HPS) are definitely the ideal way to go. you'll get your money back in the extra bud you get compared to growing with CFL's, which can cost almost as much to get that much wattage. the most ideal system is to get an HPS ballast and bulb, then get a "conversion" MH bulb that will work on the HPS ballast. this way you can use a single ballast for both vegetative grow (the MH bulb) and flowering (HPS bulb). hope that helps.
