How much is your electric bill? I use a 400watt HPS with 4 overdriven T8 32 watts and pay about 7 bucks a month for it.

Well about 50 bucks higher than normal. I live in arizona and during the summer aps and srp whichever you go with rape you because they know your air conditioner uses electricity and your going to have it on full blast 24/7. During the winter months...oh 15 bucks maybe

chris

This is my ott-light setup on the 2nd batch of Atropa Belladonna cuttings. I bought the clamp on reflector hoods at home depot for 8 bucks a peice and the bulbs were 20 bucks a peice at home depot however you can order them online for less at http://www.ott-lite.com/Cms/nls.aspx (the bulb is called the natural daylight supplement plant grow bulb)

Here is a link that might be useful: ott-light

I've got a very nice flourescent panel that I use to grow roses, and I love it. Very easy to use, no chance of burning your plants, and they grow like hell. I use in between 25-40 watts per square foot, depending on whether the fixture is being over driven or not. It would be a lot more difficult to get this type of uniform lighting using HID lighting. HID also does have its uses however, such as growing large mature plants over 3 feet in height, or as a supplement in a greenhouse. Sativa.

Generally HID works better than fluorescents,
particularly for large plants. However one of
the pitfalls to watch out for is excessive heat.
Running 2000 watts might bring the temperature
higher than 76F, and that would considerably
reduce their efficiency.

There might be other factors limiting your plant growth.
In order to give more advice, I would need more info.

What's the magic about 76F? You must be thinking of rooting temperature for rose cuttings, need 70-80 degrees, general growing is fine even up to 90.

LMAO off at the 76F. In the summer here during the day when we are gone the AC Is at 80F and parts of the house get up to 85F. Its hovering around 100F outside though. Being that the last month was $350 for a single story house I'd hate to see the bill with the AC dropped when its hottest outside :0

What's the magic about 76F? You must be thinking of rooting
temperature for rose cuttings, need 70-80 degrees, generaly
growing is fine even up to 90.

(K) Cuttings prefer higher temperature, about 80F.
I was referring to general growing. For that, 76F
is optimal generally speaking. Of course, for some
species from the topics, higher temps might work
better. But for tomatoes/hot peppers, 76F is best.

Air conditioning isn't usually the best method for
lowering temperature. Generally that is best
accomplished by lowering the amount of power used,
and ventilation. You can compensate for the lower
amount of watts by increasing the quality of the light.
Generally full spectrum is best. Also use more
lower-wattage lights, which will improve light
distribution by increasing the number of points
of light.

The only way to detect the lowered production at higher
temperatures is to measure the dried weight. Because at
higher temperatures, the leafs will become thinner and
increase surface area, in order to increase transpiration
and lower temperature. So at, say, 85F, you will see a lot
of green and think everything is OK. The leafs are also
more water-logged, so once you weigh the dried mass,
you will detect the lowered production.

Also hot, dry conditions are ideal for spider mites.