Lighting Lighting woes, need advice

[theSmilingBandit]

I have a 6' tall X 3' X 3" grow tent. I have a broken 400 watt ballast with a halide and hps bulb. I also have a working 1000 watt ballast and a hps bulb for it. Now, I am pretty sure that 1000 watt HPS is too much of the wrong type of light to throw at me seedling, right? I should mention that I do have a cool tube and an inline fan, so I ought to be able to manage heat.

What should I do? Buy a 400w ballast? But a 1000w halide bulb? Something else? My wife is growing tired of funding this hobby, so cheaper options would be appreciated.

 

[SkrewG]

Bro, im running a 600w hps in 3 x 3 x 7 tent and im struggling with heat, id get the 400w going. Just my opinion tho

 

[BRICH999]

If they are babies and you need a cheap lighting source, cfls work well for the first few weeks, but i doubt you will ever be able to ren a 1000w hps in that area without serious heat issues

 

[theSmilingBandit]

Yeah, I have a 250w cfl, the only problem is that my garage is like 40 degrees right now and I am afraid it wont heat enough ​lol.

 

[namvet25]

Buy a new 400 w ballast and run your hps.

 

[overitk]

Plus one for the 400

 

[theSmilingBandit]

Bought a 400w ballast. Turns out the HPS I thought was good....wasn't. Oh f'ing well. Running it under the halide until I can get an HPS. I am done for the day.