New Grower Experienced advice needed on grow lamp sizes

[Mike Smith]

I'm getting my new setup together and require some advice on grow lamps sizes by experienced people. My grow area is 4""Long by 3""Wide by 5.5 "" high. I can fit 3 rows of 4 10 Ltr pots (12 in total) with a little bit of space between them. I was considering 1* 600W Mh/HPS but I am considering 2 400w's side by side. what size should I get do you think? Maybe 2 600w's might be too much??
Your experience please.mike :check:

 

[MrN]

1 600w MH/HPS with a cooltube would be plenty of light for that size area..:thumbs:..2 400w, I would be worried about heat issues.....Happy Growing!...:smokebuds:

 

[YouDon'tKnowMe]

/thread

 

[Mike Smith]

I was considering a 600W but, though, relevant to max-coverage 2*400 may be better. I will be extracting heat by a 16" box fan on top by timer (10-15 mins an hour) and find the heat not too much of an issue. It is the max lumins that I want. I also want to grow 2 auto's per 10ltr bucket. so I can S.O.G the available space.

 

[X]

I will be extracting heat by a 16" box fan on top by timer (10-15 mins an hour) and find the heat not too much of an issue.

In addition to using cool tubes, right?

 

[MrN]

relevant to max-coverage 2*400 may be better.

a 600w MH/HPS will be more than enough to cover a 4ft.x3ft.x5 1/2ft. area brotha.

I will be extracting heat by a 16" box fan on top by timer (10-15 mins an hour) and find the heat not too much of an issue

my question is how do you know heat isn't an issue if you don't have the light to test your area?

It is the max lumins that I want

800w is going to have more lumens...but not much...and not enough to make a difference.an extra 200w of MH/HPS heat is a big difference...especially in that small of space.

I also want to grow 2 auto's per 10ltr bucket. so I can S.O.G the available space.

hope it all goes well for you!..Happy Growing!...:smokebuds:

 

[YouDon'tKnowMe]

I agree that at 5000 lumens/sq ft, a 600 watt light is more than enough for your grow area. if you're concerned about not having great coverage (which you should for your rather perfectly shaped space), I'd say get a 600 watter and some florescent or LED supplemental lighting you can throw between the plants or focus on certain areas.

 

[Mike Smith]

OK then, a 600 watt lamp seems the choice

The hole in the top for ventilation is about 15" square, quite big. A powerful 16" sealed box fan (flat on top) in a chimney will draw the heat out on a timer. My last attempt was with a 250W 125W and 200W CFL. I did notice in the summer the temps got hot in the day, reaching 85 or so at times, but I did not have the fan on top in operation.

I will also have PC fan ventilation. 3 Base fans blowing air in from underneath (my wardrobe/closet is on legs) and additionally 2 fans blowing air up 2 vent pipes dropping the co2 down. This should flood the area with natural Co2. I could add Co2 generators (Bi-carb-vinger) (smart move) directly under the PC fans, so a lot of Co2 arrives in the grow area too. My last grows suffered from ventilation issues and not enough Co2.

I also need this info to buy the lamp guys. What is best ??

(1) Start grow with HPS

(2) Start Grow with M/H and then Swap to HPS (Flowing)

(3) Use multi spectrum bulb.

I favor the (2) option, because this seems the most practicle

 

[bromhexine]

i think the quality will be higher if you just use hps but the yield will be greater if you swap from mh after flowering starts. depends what you're growing too as most autos can be pretty leafy as it is so perhaps only using hps will work well.also remember not all hps/mh bulbs are created equal.

 

[X]

The hole in the top for ventilation is about 15" square, quite big. A powerful 16" sealed box fan (flat on top) in a chimney will draw the heat out on a timer.

Anything for odor?

(2) Start Grow with M/H and then Swap to HPS (Flowing)

This.