HPS vs MH

[soulsmoker]

I'm looking at a 250watt system for my small closet to begin the process of growing. What would be better to go with if I could only choose ONE of these? Could I purchase a 250 watt hps system and switch it with a MH bulb? Would I want to do this, or just keep the hps bulb from start to finish?

 

[blancolighter]

Really you probably wont notice the difference if you use HPS all the way, though MH is a bit better for vegging. If I were you I would look for a switchable ballast by someone like Lumatek so you could use both bulbs in your setup.

 

[soulsmoker]

When my lights on going, would it be a good idea to have my closet door open? There is alot of natural light in the room that the closet is in.. Is it good to combine the two, or should I keep the closet door closed with the lights running?

 

[blancolighter]

Hey, they more light the better. Just don't forget to close the door during the night cycle!

 

[soulsmoker]

thanks so much.. and what about built in ballast or separate ballast? is one better than the other?

 

[TURKEYNECK]

you could also do like alot of us here.. and use fluros for veg..then HPS for flower, Fluros are ALOT more efficient and produce less heat....

 

[soulsmoker]

T.neck - yea i've thought about that... my big question right now is trying to find out if there's a big difference between a hps system with built in ballast or a separate one? thanks..

 

[Wiseguy_Chef]

like i did with my 20 dollor 150 watters i cut the wires from the balliest to the buld extend them an they are 5 feet above the grow area i am haveing no problems with heat, my plants are about 5 in's at the most away from the bulbs i run 4 150 watt hps in a cloest it. well from what i read about useing hps during the whole cycle (flower an vegg) is that u can expect to harvest a week later. an they sell hps bulbs u can run in a MH an MH u can runn in a HPS but they ant cheep from what i understand.

 

[7greeneyes]

I am currently utilizing a 430 hps for veg that has a Conversion MH lamp. I use the ConvMH 2 weeks into bloom (this helps minimize internodal stretch) then switch to a 430 hps lamp for the next 2 weeks then onto my 1kw hps to finish the girls off. HPS ballasts are the way to in my opinion. But whatever's clever! Keeper Green, friend(s).

 

[TURKEYNECK]

like i did with my 20 dollor 150 watters i cut the wires from the balliest to the buld extend them an they are 5 feet above the grow area i am haveing no problems with heat, my plants are about 5 in's at the most away from the bulbs i run 4 150 watt hps in a cloest it. well from what i read about useing hps during the whole cycle (flower an vegg) is that u can expect to harvest a week later. an they sell hps bulbs u can run in a MH an MH u can runn in a HPS but they ant cheep from what i understand.

yeah I have a 400w mh-hps conversion bulb, works great IMO..$70 though