A lot of hydroponic stores offer package deals that will come with the basics, which include ballast, bulb and hood. Theses can run you anywhere from $199-$329 for a 1000W and 600W setup depending on the brands of equipment you purchase.

A 400W setup will run you anywhere from $159-$220, keeping in mind the brand of equipment you go with. I suggest going into your local hydro stores and comparing prices first. This will save you money on shipping cost, and most stores will try to work within your budget. They also usually have a good return/exchange policy, so you can quickly and efficiently replace any equipment that might have a problem.

If you decide to go the online route, make sure to read the return and exchange policy thoroughly. And also check out my previous article about online vs. retail grow shopping.

If you want to go an even cheaper route, check with your local hydro store on their used equipment policy. You would be surprised how many first time growers do one run and then give up and want to sell all their equipment back to the store they purchased it from. I've had so many products sold back to my store that were virtually untouched, and sold them for a steal.

The only downfall to purchasing used equipment is the fact that in that case you’re not usually covered by warranties. Nevertheless, you can purchase all kinds of quality used equipment, from hoods, bulbs, ballast, to even full hydroponics setups. But be careful what you’re buying, and make sure you’re getting good advice about the state of the used equipment you’re purchasing. At very least, it’s worth stopping in your local store and asking what’s up.

Last but not least, there is the Craigslist route. Craigslist definitely has great deals on used equipment, but can also be a dangerous route. Over the past two years, there have been more and more robberies when buying on Craigslist, especially when it comes to the hydroponics category.

If you do decide to go that route, just make sure to meet in a public place, and don't bring alot of cash. eBay is another great source, but make sure to check out the seller’s feedback. Sometimes you’re not getting what the picture shows, so be sure it's coming from a reputable seller. For more about shopping for online hydro equipment, check out this article – click here.

Hopefully these tips and tricks help you when deciding what to buy and where to purchase your supplies while shopping on a budget. Just do your homework before buying and you should be good to go. Until next time, grow big, or go home!

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