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Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
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Author:  rosequoll [ Jul 30th, '12, 21:15 ]
Post subject:  Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
I'm in the process of building a small homemade system. Planning on going CHIFT PIST for the main reason of a low ceiling in the 'basement' area that the system is being built. It's actually a 'highset' home, but the ceiling is low so I have limited space to hang the light.

I'm finding issues with the lighting though. I could go T8 tubes but I was given a metal halide light for free and would love to be able to use it.

I've worked out that the lowest that I can build my GB and still have space for a large enough sump underneath would leave me approx 60cm of space between the bottom of my light reflector dome and the TOP of the media.

The area I'm building in is enclosed from the elements, and fairly open so there is reasonable ventilation. Happy to set up a small fan running to keep heat down on the leaves. I'm just trying to work out if I'm just going to fail with a 400w MH that close to the GB?

I was also planning to get a large 3-4ft reflector dome if I can work out how to get the darn bulb out. It's an old light (works though) and I can't work out if I'm missing something or it's just stuck.

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Author:  julia_bites [ Jul 30th, '12, 21:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
Screw in metal halide bulbs are very hard to budge at first and almost make you think that the bulb will break before it budges but it should budge with a bit of force
If you're growing low plants like lettuce you should have enough room but anything that has a stem will shoot towards the light and soon get burnt.
Ventilation is very important for indoor growing as well, you really need an exhaust fan to be sucking clean air in constantly



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Author:  rosequoll [ Jul 30th, '12, 21:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
I'm thinking I might take the money I saved by getting the free setup and see if I can get an electrician to take off the ballast at the top and make it a separate piece that I can put on a shelf. This allows me to hang it a good 6 inches higher, giving me a bit more space.

I hate low ceilings. =(

The space under the house is very large and open (size of the entire house floorplan) but I plan on running a small fan nearby to help. I guess it's all trial and error anyways. =)
Author:  ShoestringAP [ Jul 30th, '12, 22:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
I would caution you on using metal halide for the following reasons:

1) heat buildup
2) energy consumption
3) voltage used (danger)


I am unsure about the lumens but from my comparison (warehousing) the multi-bulb T-8 actually produced better lumens/visible/usable light in my environment...

Food for though.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!!
Brian
Author:  Zubin [ Jul 30th, '12, 22:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
I agree with shoestring.
On the long run, you will consum a lot more electricity than using T8.
I use T8s, by hanging them from ceiling using 550 cords. That way as the green stuff grow upward, I can move the T8 higher via the loops in 500 cord. So, the hight of the T8 is adjustable.
Author:  Mr Damage [ Jul 30th, '12, 22:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
You can buy complete, brand new 400w MH light kits for well under $200... it would probably cost you this much for the electrician to look at the ballast you've got and fit a cord to it... if it's at all feasable.

Plus, with second hand HID light kits you may as well throw the globe in the bin, unless you know how many hours it has done. Once the globe has done 12 months it should be replaced... there's $70

I would use HID (MH and HPS) over flouros... hands down. Especially if growing fruiting plants... you will get far more yield and more compact plants.

Growing only leafy greens, then the HO flouro's are okay, but personally I'd still use HID.
Author:  rosequoll [ Jul 31st, '12, 17:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
Thanks guys, sticking with the metal halide for now as I plan on going fruiting plants. I'm set on strawberries. MUST have strawberries. =)

Mr Damage; I work in the pet industry here and can get a new halide bulb for less than $20 so not worried there, even online about $25 should replace it. I can get a new halide setup for $115 as well but it's got the same configuration.

My friends boss (turns out) is a trained electrician and will have a look at the light and see what he can work out for me re: making the ballast and the light socket two pieces so I can hang the light a bit higher.

Going to try it out anyways cause I think I've managed to change the plans enough to get it to more than 2.5 ft space. I'll stick with low plants for now anyways. =) Picking up my IBC on Thursday to start work!
Author:  Mr Damage [ Jul 31st, '12, 19:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
Quote:
I work in the pet industry here and can get a new halide bulb for less than $20 so not worried there, even online about $25 should replace it.


What???... what size is it?
Author:  rosequoll [ Jul 31st, '12, 19:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Metal Halide light, fighting a losing battle? (planning)
The one I can buy through work is meant to go over a planted aquarium or marine tank, but I think cost price is pretty low. No guarantees on retails prices though.

Online though, on eBay, store 'ozponics'
250w - $22
400w - $26
1000w - 2 for $125
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