Anyone ever used Poor Man's Metal Halide Grow Light

[Stepheninky]

Basically it is a 160 watt self ballasted mercury vapor bulb that you use in one of those metal clamp lights.

Was wondering if that along with a couple of the florescent lights would provide enough light to grow a tomato or two indoors?

Also if anyone has used them how much heat do they put out?

The bulbs are $22 a piece and the clamps or a diy fixture would be under $10 so $30 something bucks seems like a cheap way to go

Supposed to work like MH bulbs but with an added red from the filament used.

[Stepheninky]

Ahh just found my own answer to my question. MV bulbs will work for plant growth but are less efficient than florescent bulbs

[Timmah!]

you really want mh or hps; mercury... not so much.

[Stepheninky]

I decided to go with big CFL's

[Timmah!]

gonna need side lighting, depending on how large you let these plants get...