Suggestions for next grow, # of plants & lighting changes?

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phaded420

Well-Known Member
So I am just finishing off a grow in a 3.5'x3.5'x7' grow tent.

I had 6 plants under a 250w full spectrum metal halide from HID hut with 6 10(maybe 12w) red LED grow lights from growwithleds.com. I had problems getting the light close as I had too many plants and moving it closer would screw the outer plants.

I am hoping to get some feedback on how many plants I should do, and what if any lighting changes I should make:

I am open to consider adding another 250w HID, switching to t5, or switching to a 400 or 600w.

Please let me know what you think would be the best combo # of plants and lighting to get the greatest yield in my grow tent, I have the time this next grow to veg as long as needed etc..

thanks in advance!
 
porchmonkey4life

porchmonkey4life

Well-Known Member
Probably measure how many more/less you should grow (that tent seems small!) by your yield. If you yielded less than expected, grow less so your plants can have more room to grow. I think 250W is not enough for 6 plants. I would use at least 400W, and stick to 6 plants.
 
chronicle

chronicle

Well-Known Member
phaded420 said:
So I am just finishing off a grow in a 3.5'x3.5'x7' grow tent.

I had 6 plants under a 250w full spectrum metal halide from HID hut with 6 10(maybe 12w) red LED grow lights from growwithleds.com. I had problems getting the light close as I had too many plants and moving it closer would screw the outer plants.

I am hoping to get some feedback on how many plants I should do, and what if any lighting changes I should make:

I am open to consider adding another 250w HID, switching to t5, or switching to a 400 or 600w.

Please let me know what you think would be the best combo # of plants and lighting to get the greatest yield in my grow tent, I have the time this next grow to veg as long as needed etc..

thanks in advance!
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dont switch to t5! especially not for flowering. definately go with either the 400watt or 600watt - id recommend 600watt with a switchable ballast so you can get the benefits of both MH and HPS. it might get pretty hot in your grow tent, so definately have a fan blowing out air (and preferably also have one blowing in fresh air on the other side). youll be very pleased with the results :mrgreen::blsmoke:
 
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phaded420

Well-Known Member
chronicle said:
dont switch to t5! especially not for flowering. definately go with either the 400watt or 600watt - id recommend 600watt with a switchable ballast so you can get the benefits of both MH and HPS. it might get pretty hot in your grow tent, so definately have a fan blowing out air (and preferably also have one blowing in fresh air on the other side). youll be very pleased with the results :mrgreen::blsmoke:
Click to expand...
So adding another 250w probably wouldn't be as effective eh?

hidhut.com has a 600w light kit but its only HPS, they have a 400w kit thats switchable tho, do you know another site that might have a 600w switchable at a reasonable price? (i like hid huts prices heh)


I'm thinking a 400w might be a better bet for my budget heh. Or, do you think i could get away with going just straight up metal halide because i have the 6 led lamps to provide red spectrum?
 
joepro

joepro

Well-Known Member
phaded420, I use the same size tent.
I bought 1 400watt MH/HPS under 7 plants
and found that the side plants wouldnt grow as well
as the ones in the center and as you know pulling
everyting out of the tent to reposition is alot of work.
For my sec grow I bought another 400watt MH/HPS
and started with 11 and ened up with 7 females.
This number works great I use up every inch of the tent
and with 2 400watt lites all plants have enough light.
 
BiG PuFFer

BiG PuFFer

Well-Known Member
phaded420 said:
So I am just finishing off a grow in a 3.5'x3.5'x7' grow tent.

I had 6 plants under a 250w full spectrum metal halide from HID hut with 6 10(maybe 12w) red LED grow lights from growwithleds.com. I had problems getting the light close as I had too many plants and moving it closer would screw the outer plants.

I am hoping to get some feedback on how many plants I should do, and what if any lighting changes I should make:

I am open to consider adding another 250w HID, switching to t5, or switching to a 400 or 600w.

Please let me know what you think would be the best combo # of plants and lighting to get the greatest yield in my grow tent, I have the time this next grow to veg as long as needed etc..

thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Where you guys getting these 3.5 x3.5 tents?
 
innerG

innerG

Well-Known Member
I use a 400 in a 3x3, I might spring for a 600 in a 3.5x3.5. If it has a dimmable ballast you can always turn it down if you needed to. You could use the 250w for supplemental coverage if you need it

image.jpeg

Plant count - depends on growing method and strain. And what you want to do and are comfortable with. I'd think 4 large or 9 small plants since it's a square, though you could do one giant in a scrog if that's what you wanted too
 
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covert222

Well-Known Member
Yeah I think 6 probably is good number you would know better than us but I do think you will be happier over all with 2 250 lights than you would be upgrading to a 600
 
innerG

innerG

Well-Known Member
covert222 said:
Yeah I think 6 probably is good number you would know better than us but I do think you will be happier over all with 2 250 lights than you would be upgrading to a 600
Click to expand...
600s are way more efficient - he would get a lot more light out of one 600 than two 250s for only 100 more watts.

Id go with something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLK600CT24E-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B00521B894/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1450984417&sr=8-11&keywords=600+watt+hps
 
C

covert222

Well-Known Member
He would get less coverage out of 600 watts than he would out of 2 250s. Although a 600 should be plenty for 6 plants really unless you're growing some trees
 
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covert222

Well-Known Member
He will get more coverage out of 2 250s then he will out of a 600 although 600 should be plenty for 6 plants unless you're growing some monster trees
 
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