Lighting MH/HPS light bulbs

[Troon]

I'm really looking for info one 1,000 watt bulbs but I would assume the same would apply to this question with 600 watt bulbs as well. I also am looking for information on HPS bulbs as I will be using HPS throughout my entire grow coming up.

1) What brand do you use?
2) What brand do you think is the best?

I would assume Eye Hortilux brand would be the best, or so I would assume from reading a little bit. I looked on Amazon.com and I read a lot of bad reviews saying the bulbs that people received were already used, burnt out, or crappy quality control. These reviews were posted by verified buyers too. What are your thoughts?

Also I don't want to buy a light in a store.

 

[budelee]

I'm really looking for info one 1,000 watt bulbs but I would assume the same would apply to this question with 600 watt bulbs as well. I also am looking for information on HPS bulbs as I will be using HPS throughout my entire grow coming up.

1) What brand do you use?
2) What brand do you think is the best?

I would assume Eye Hortilux brand would be the best, or so I would assume from reading a little bit. I looked on Amazon.com and I read a lot of bad reviews saying the bulbs that people received were already used, burnt out, or crappy quality control. These reviews were posted by verified buyers too. What are your thoughts?

Also I don't want to buy a light in a store.

Heya buddy,i dont have much info to help you,i use a "house brand" from Virtual Sun,the spectrum was equal to a more expensive brand but a quarter of the price..the reviews are a good start with anything,check for a refund or return policy too..i use the 600 watt but do the MH for the first month..

 

[Troon]

Heya buddy,i dont have much info to help you,i use a "house brand" from Virtual Sun,the spectrum was equal to a more expensive brand but a quarter of the price..the reviews are a good start with anything,check for a refund or return policy too..i use the 600 watt but do the MH for the first month..

Yeah I was considering VIVOSUN as they have excellent customer service. I dealt with them on my fabric pots and they offered to send me another package for free. It's always good to order from people with good customer service.

I suppose bad reviews could be chalked up to some people trying to get something for free, and the fact that things like light bulbs can malfunction randomly. There is always a chance you could get a defective light bulb.

 

[Rebel]

I'm really looking for info one 1,000 watt bulbs but I would assume the same would apply to this question with 600 watt bulbs as well. I also am looking for information on HPS bulbs as I will be using HPS throughout my entire grow coming up.

1) What brand do you use?
2) What brand do you think is the best?

I would assume Eye Hortilux brand would be the best, or so I would assume from reading a little bit. I looked on Amazon.com and I read a lot of bad reviews saying the bulbs that people received were already used, burnt out, or crappy quality control. These reviews were posted by verified buyers too. What are your thoughts?

Also I don't want to buy a light in a store.

Hey troon! When I was running hid I was using HPS for the entire grow and using htgsupply.com 's house brand. I had phenomenal results and never had a problem but in my room always battled heat.

What I suggest is research what has the best reviews and puts out the highest lumens. Then when you find the brand and light that best suits your needs shop around for price... Ama zon, FeeBay, htgsupply.com, the hydro source, plant lighting supply... All good places to look...

Hope this helps...

 

[Rebel]

Yeah I was considering VIVOSUN as they have excellent customer service. I dealt with them on my fabric pots and they offered to send me another package for free. It's always good to order from people with good customer service.

I suppose bad reviews could be chalked up to some people trying to get something for free, and the fact that things like light bulbs can malfunction randomly. There is always a chance you could get a defective light bulb.

Exactly.. When I read reviews I find some negative reviews are childish or not the fault of who they are placing blame on...

 

[Troon]

Exactly.. When I read reviews I find some negative reviews are childish or not the fault of who they are placing blame on...

Well it seems as if the Hortilux bulbs sold on Amazon (56$) are messed up. Perhaps they didn't make the cut on quality .

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe hydrofarm sells quality growing products. XtraSun is one of their brands. The one I currently have seems to work fine. It does have a few scratches but I think that's normal or common right?

Can I use dual-arc bulbs with my SG Lite 1,000 watt convertible magnetic ballast or no? I'm thinking they are only for digital ballast.

The reason I want to use HPS for the entire grow is because I would like to start more soon. When I start my new plants there will be two still flowering in my tent. I can't use another light I'd be running too much wattage.

 

[budelee]

HEAT!!!! effin HEAT!!! This is the reason i open grow,there are two windows at the oposite end of the basement..i tried tents and extracor fans but couldnt get the temps in an acceptable range..i kinda had no choice but to do autos but it is a change that i will never regret..without tents or "walls" dividing the basement,the next issue was light interruptions,no issues with autos..i do an occasional photo outside,and currently have the two litre comp plant....sorry for the thread jack...

 

[Rebel]

Well it seems as if the Hortilux bulbs sold on Amazon (56$) are messed up. Perhaps they didn't make the cut on quality .

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe hydrofarm sells quality growing products. XtraSun is one of their brands. The one I currently have seems to work fine. It does have a few scratches but I think that's normal or common right?

Can I use dual-arc bulbs with my SG Lite 1,000 watt convertible magnetic ballast or no? I'm thinking they are only for digital ballast.

The reason I want to use HPS for the entire grow is because I would like to start more soon. When I start my new plants there will be two still flowering in my tent. I can't use another light I'd be running too much wattage.

It's been quite a few yrs since I had to shop for HPS lamps but idk if you can use a magnetic ballast with a digital bulb. I would never use a ballast that didn't come or wasn't recommended with that precise lamp because you don't wanna burn your house down!

You certainly can use HPS from start to finish! Absolutely! I did for many many yrs...

If it were me and I found a great reviewed lamp that put out major lumens and didn't break the bank that's the one I'd go for...

 

[Discretepete2676]

Ushio
Ultrsun
Lightspeed was great for a long time. Recently ran into a bad batch after years of supplying their bulbs. Otherwise they've been great
Check into a company called Narva, same makers as ushio but branded different, measured in umols. 1950-2100 pricey, but very very worth it from what I've seen first hand.
Apollo has bad spectrum, not enough red
Ipower has great spectrum.... Better keep it real cool though or buy one per auto grow lol
That's as far as I can go from personal experience... Hope it helps some....I know it's pricey but check out that brand Narva.... Really really nice powerful long lasting lights....
Eye hortilux super HPS is a great light. Proven time and time again. All bulbs have problems and rarely is there a "perfect batch" from any company.... Sunlight supply company and hydrofarm are your two biggest suppliers. 70% of all these little companies are puppets for the larger ones.... Check out the sunlight supply catalogue.... They got their fingers in all companies in there.... Sunlight is American. Hydrofarm is Canadian with mostly Chinese imports, I forgot the other companys name off hand but when it comes down to it a lot of these smaller companies are linked back to these big companies. Easier for money and tax purposes to break it up like that, that's Also why you see rebranding so often in this industry. There's lots that go on behind closed doors.... For example nectar for the gods. Great line, nothing bad to say, but they also push a product called SLF 100, it's an enzyme that they recommend using to help break down the calcium sediments when running their line, but is it coincidence they are located almost right down the road from each other? It's all marketing, different product qualities get different names that way everything can be sold some where some how!
Sorry I'm super ripped tonight, somehow had no gardening to do which is very rare so I've been smoking down.
Anyway I learned this.... buy cheap, buy twice. And if you NEED results then go with what's proven for now, don't pave your own path... good luck on your search and hope my ramble helped some how

 

[Discretepete2676]

Short answer of what I use depending on my money situation....
good budget bulb- ultrasun, not extra.
Awesome pricey bulb-narva (natralux 1000)