Well, I need your expertise everyone.
So, with the plasma light out of the question ( http://ocps.proboards.com/index.cgi?boar....ead=3813&page=1 ), as it doesn't have much bang for the buck, I'll be going with MH instead (I think...).
Now, I come forth humbly with questions for all you experienced growers that have ventured this way, am I going to have many 'surprises' when it comes to building a new setup with a Metal Halide? (of course I am, who am I kidding..)
But where to draw the line... when it comes to wattage, is 1000W too much to deal with when it comes to the heat generated and the cooling of such heat? Magnetic ballast vs digital Ballast, is digital worth the price difference? Should I start small and eventually go bigger, or start off with a bang...
I've got a decent budget(and access to loads of spare wood lying around), I'll be building a custom setup, probably 5'x5'x4'. Contemplating using mylar 'heat blanket' lined walls(does anyone know how to get rid of the wrinkles ), or painting the walls white with weatherproof paint. A misting system is something to consider down the line. But I'm mainly concerned about lighting.
I've got plenty of T5HO's, I like them, but they have to be quite close for them to be efficient, and I like how MH covers a broader area, and the output in lumes they produce...
Comments, suggestions? How would you do it differently? Any help is more than appreciated
So, with the plasma light out of the question ( http://ocps.proboards.com/index.cgi?boar....ead=3813&page=1 ), as it doesn't have much bang for the buck, I'll be going with MH instead (I think...).
Now, I come forth humbly with questions for all you experienced growers that have ventured this way, am I going to have many 'surprises' when it comes to building a new setup with a Metal Halide? (of course I am, who am I kidding..)
But where to draw the line... when it comes to wattage, is 1000W too much to deal with when it comes to the heat generated and the cooling of such heat? Magnetic ballast vs digital Ballast, is digital worth the price difference? Should I start small and eventually go bigger, or start off with a bang...
I've got a decent budget(and access to loads of spare wood lying around), I'll be building a custom setup, probably 5'x5'x4'. Contemplating using mylar 'heat blanket' lined walls(does anyone know how to get rid of the wrinkles ), or painting the walls white with weatherproof paint. A misting system is something to consider down the line. But I'm mainly concerned about lighting.
I've got plenty of T5HO's, I like them, but they have to be quite close for them to be efficient, and I like how MH covers a broader area, and the output in lumes they produce...
Comments, suggestions? How would you do it differently? Any help is more than appreciated