Reddit mentions of Hydro Crunch Parabolic Vertical Grow Light Reflector Hood

Hello from /r/hotpeppers fellow gardeners/growers. I am currently growing hot peppers and I am quickly outgrowing my setup. (I start peppers for my dad too, and he’s getting into it, so, yea) You guys are the light experts and indoor gardening masters so I wanted to ask here ! I am on a bit of a budget, and am more used to/comfortable with older technology. I’ve never soldered anything, can hardly program my DVR, and know very little about LEDs. That stuff wasn’t even out yet when I bought my old equipment and worked at the garden store.

I am currently running a 48” T5 with 8 bulbs (8x54 watts per bulb) in a 4x4x7 tent. I have space in the unfinished basement to move my project do an “open grow”. Since I won’t be using the tent anymore, I’m not as concerned about heat buildup, and believe I have more options. By Monday, I will have transplanted everything, and will have approximately 40-50 2 gallon pots that will eventually go outside to raised beds in May. The basement room area is open for circulation, and has no walls/doors. The useable area is 8x8 or larger.

I need as much light coverage as possible right now, for the money. I COULD get another T-5 but for the amount of money I’d spend on one, I can get the 1000 Watt MH Light. Also, running 2 T-5s would be having 16 bulbs to look after and replace - creating a lot of waste and hassle in the process. I’d also need to re-mount the light and then mount a second. My goal would be to start everything like normal, transplant to cups and keep under the T-5 until the next transplant. Transplant again to larger pots, move under the 1000 watt, shut off the T-5 for next year to save bulb life. I’m thinking about getting a 1000 Watt light, with a Parabolic Reflector. https://www.amazon.com/Hydro-Crunch-Parabolic-Vertical-Reflector/dp/B071W2LS5T/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1550770353&sr=8-3&keywords=Parabolic+reflector

I read through the Wiki guide and would appreciate a recommendation on a decent Ballast. The last on I bought was an old 600 Watt Lumateck, and it still works, but it was $200 10 years ago. I don’t know how much has changed since then. The wiki lists a cheaper iPower ballast, but it seems to have mixed reviews and concerns about failure. I’ve noticed that a lot of people like the VivoSun LED lights here. How are their Ballasts ?https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Dimmable-Digital-Ballast-Program/dp/B016POA2KW/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=Ballast+1000&qid=1550770714&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

The local hydro shop near me wasn’t very helpful :-( and only had newer, expensive tech. It’s a small store, and didn’t have much of a selection. Thanks in asvance guys/girls !