Quick question

I want to buy a 400 watt Metal Halide lamp for a space about 6x4x7ft but there so expensive, is there any one with experiance with these lights who can tell me of a cheaper alternative.

 

If you can't afford a HID (High Pressure Sodium, Metal Halide, etc.), then use CFL (Compact flourescent). Much better to save up the cash and get a HID.....IMO.

- 42o -

 

First of all you need to do a lot more research! A 6x4 grow area would require 3 times more HID light (50 watts/square ft.). Plus, you want High Pressure Sodium lights during the flowering stage. They make an "extended range" HPS bulb that puts out about 30% more light at the blue end of the light spectrum; so that it can be used, by itself, for the entire growing process. Other types of lights end up costing more because you use huge amounts of electricty to produce the same results.
The only realistic alternatives are Compact Flouros (the Envirolite) or the Sun.
There is always a cheaper way!!! If you look around you will find sites that tell you how to make your own HID ballasts and reflectors, good luck!!!

 

Hey M4N!

You beat me to it!!! LOL

 

It really depends on how much you are planing to grow, and if you are going to use the same lights and or space to flower. A CFL setup will probly run you atleast 50$. You will want an HPS (high presure soduim) to use to flower, as the yeild will be sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better than trying to use CFL's to flower. Right now I have CFL's on my girls that are in veggie, and an HPS bulb on the ones that are flowering. I'll tell ya more tonight.