Need Help Picking HID System

Hi everyone!  I'm in the process of mentally setting up my first aquaponics system.  My husband finally let me have a goldfish tank if I put in in the basement (since I have multiple tank syndrome).  Then he said, "Hey wouldn't it be neat if we could grow food from it?"  He watched one those episodes of Doomsday Preppers and thought it was neat.  While we can't grow much off of a 29 gallon tank, as an engineer I couldn't pass up the though of dabbling in something new for fun.  I'm a bit stumped on lighting though...

It seems like HID is the best way to go from my research.  Can I run one safely in a basement?  Can anyone recommend what I should get for a 2.5 x 2 ft grow bed (I read I should need about 250 watts for this size grow bed if that accurate)?  I'd like it to be semi affordable if that's possible; I just have no idea what I am looking for!  Also, if I plan on doing a combination of fruits and vegetation, is one spectrum bulb better over another in this case?  

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Bob Terrell on February 24, 2013 at 7:07pm

you have SOOOOO many choices, the only thing I will say is you will suprised what you can grow off a 29 gallon tank.

You might look at Lowes for their mortor mixing tubs for a grow bed.  I am using 4 of them on one side of my system and they sem to be a great size.  You will get hooked!

Permalink Reply by Heather N on February 24, 2013 at 7:23pm

ACTUALLY that's EXACTLY what I plan on using!  Thanks :)  

Bob Terrell said:

you have SOOOOO many choices, the only thing I will say is you will suprised what you can grow off a 29 gallon tank.

You might look at Lowes for their mortor mixing tubs for a grow bed.  I am using 4 of them on one side of my system and they sem to be a great size.  You will get hooked!

Permalink Reply by Randall Wimbish on February 24, 2013 at 8:01pm

I bought a kit something like this one and it is still working 1 year later.

http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600WRM...

Permalink Reply by Randall Wimbish on February 24, 2013 at 8:05pm

Well. There is contravery in their ad. It says Magnetic and Digital. The one I got is digital for the same price. They are Chinese made.

Permalink Reply by Randall Wimbish on February 24, 2013 at 8:11pm
Permalink Reply by Heather N on February 24, 2013 at 8:49pm

Thank you!  How hot would you say this gets?  My husband is nervous with it near the basement ceiling.  

Randall Wimbish said:


ModeratorPermalink Reply by Jon Parr on February 25, 2013 at 2:48am
HID bulbs get really hot, maybe even hot enough to start a fire if allowed to touch a combustible. However, a gentle cooling fan will do the trick, and the good news is that the heat from the basement will eventually go upstairs to warm your toes.

I personally like CMH bulbs, available here: http://www.advancedtechlighting.com/cdmed18.htm
Bulbs are $35, and ballast kits are $69. Unfortunately, 250W are the same price as 400w, so suit yourself there.
Permalink Reply by Heather N on February 25, 2013 at 2:42pm
I do have cold toes, so that might be a plus! Haha! Hmm, that does make me nervous. I started reading about needing good ventilation, etc. When you say gentle cooling fan, does that mean any small fan do, as long as it disperses heat? As much as I want to use HID, I might just stick with T5HOs for the sheer safety factor...I don't want to burn my house down for a fun project gone wrong; I couldn't live with myself and that risk might be to great.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Vlad Jovanovic on February 25, 2013 at 3:04pm

What safety factor would that be Heather? I've used many an HID rig inside my house with no problems ever.

Even with (or especially with) T5HO's a fan is a good idea, since yout T5's generally need to be placed closer to your plants. Whether florous or HID, some cross ventilation (or a small oscillating fan) is a real good idea for a number of reasons. Humidity, respiration, fungal pathogens, as well as the gentle breeze mimics the wind and gives the stalks a work out (resulting in a structurally stronger plant)...


ModeratorPermalink Reply by Alex Veidel on February 25, 2013 at 3:33pm

I've only used one kind of HID setup. This grow light by Hydrofarm is pretty nice, although I'm currently using the 400w and have never tried the 250. You can convert between MH and HPS bulbs at any time. Plus the ballast is included in the fixture, so it's pretty easy to setup. And my plants are lookin' pretty happy! Last I checked, Hydro Galaxy had these the cheapest. It looks like if you order today, you get free shipping :)

http://www.hydrogalaxy.com/growing-lights/reflectors/sunburst-250w-...

Permalink Reply by Steven Gardner on February 25, 2013 at 5:07pm
With a little common sence they are safe. I have been runing two 1000 watt and one 400 watt for years now threw out the house. They can put off some heat, and that's good for us. When considering your purchas think about an air cooled hood. Also consider a switchable ballast you will like it as an option.
Permalink Reply by Randall Wimbish on February 25, 2013 at 5:48pm

Wow. Those are cheap ballast kits. What would a DIYer use for housing them?



Jon Parr said:

HID bulbs get really hot, maybe even hot enough to start a fire if allowed to touch a combustible. However, a gentle cooling fan will do the trick, and the good news is that the heat from the basement will eventually go upstairs to warm your toes.

I personally like CMH bulbs, available here: http://www.advancedtechlighting.com/cdmed18.htm
Bulbs are $35, and ballast kits are $69. Unfortunately, 250W are the same price as 400w, so suit yourself there.

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