A ballast is for starting and controlling the flow of power to fluorescent and high intensity discharge lamps. A digital ballast plays a big role in quality, growth, and health of your plants.

In Hydroponic gardening, standard grow lights use a ballast system. On the other hand fluorescent lights have their own built-in ballast system.

Some grow lights use remote ballasts -- these include Metal Halide and HPS. These components are what make up the lamps main power supply- these kinds of ballasts have a shorter lifespan. They also have a flicker problem.

Digital ballasts eliminate this problem and provide a more regular electricity flow with full brightness. Also, MH and LPS grow lights used with a digital ballast increase wavelengths actually used by the plant.

Please note that ballast quality does actually have an impact on your indoor gardening quality and results. We recommend the following:

NextGen Electronic Ballasts by CAP Controllers

Sun System- Budget Gro Ballast by Sunlight Supply

Pulsar 2.0 Two-Way 120/240V Ballast 1000W by Sunleaves

H.I.D. Ballast 1000W by Future-Brite Ballasts

Quantum 1000 Watt Dimmable Electronic Ballast

Quantum 600 Watt Dimmable Electronic Ballast