THG, thanks so much for the great advice, once again! The light bill also includes a bunch of t-8's and t-12's as well as two banks of 4' 4 bulb T5's (one in veg room, one in flower room), and the two fans, the two humidifiers going continuously. Hubby says we do have high electric rates here in the desert. I just read him what you wrote, and he laughed. He said before I had grow lights our electric bill in the summer was about $300 a month, now they are $400 a month. When you said HID's are cheaper, his eyebrows raised. This is GOOD. I think he's softening up....<G>
Yes, I know Lumen for Lumen the flouros are not cheaper than an HID, and I am lusting after the day when I can actually get an HID. And you can be SURE I'll be tapping you for the best possible arguments to get one!
It just seems that everytime I have a little saved up for them, something breaks or needs replacing on one of the powerchairs, and they are my legs. Durable medical equipment dealers gouge us, I swear. $20,000 for a powerchair, then $600 for a set of tires! $1,000 for a seat pad! And like shoes (which I remember from long ago--hahh!), these things need replacing regularly.
Living with a disablity is not an inexpensive endeavor, and growing my own meds, while very thrilling, fulfilling, empowering and better than pharmaceuticals---still is not covered by medical insurance. Bummers!
Ah well, the longer I wait, the more I'll appreciate it, right?
For now, I'll have to rely upon the T5's and as Hick calls it, "That Giant Halide in the Sky!" I thank goodness for the desert sun at this time of year.
Thanks again, THG. I appreciate the support and information very much. I'm not at all discouraged. I'm thrilled with this new grow in veg now. The Aurora Indicas are just incredible. So huge, with fan leaves far bigger than my spayed hand. No stretch. Just bushy, fabulous plants with strong, thick stems. I drool over them every day. I wish I knew how they smoked, but this is only my second grow, and they are still vegging. I can't wait, tho!
If they are better than the current grow (I had to sneak a bit of the purple kush and the Widow) I will be more than thrilled. I vaped a 1/4 inch of the PK last night and wheeled into the wine rack trying to make it to the bedroom!