A 600 + A 400 versus a 1000 Opinions Wanted

bigv1976

bigv1976

Well-Known Member
My question is pretty simple. Would it benefit me to add my 400 HPS to my 600 HPS and if so how would the difference compare to a single 1000 HPS. People argue topics like "Do lumens add up?" and such and I was just wondering what people think about how much benefit there is by adding a 400 to a 600.
 
indagroove

indagroove

Well-Known Member
Yes, lumens do add up. A 400 watt on average puts out 50k lumens, a 600w = 92k lumens, and a 1kw = 140k lumens. The math says that a 400w + 600w = 2000 lumens more than a 1kw.
 
The cap

The cap

Well-Known Member
I am a long way from being an expert on any matter... However I'd have to think that a 1000 by itself would be a lot better than a 600 and a 400.
I think it would be like saying would 10 x 100w = 1000 yes in theory however I know which way I'd go..!! :)
 
massah

massah

Well-Known Member
the differences between a 600watt and a 1000watt lamp depend on how large the plants you are growing and the area you are growing in and the reflectors used...if you are growing lots of plants with mainly 1 or 2 colas each that are only 3-4' tall then you would be better off with the 600+400, if you can use a MH conversion bulb in the 400 that would be even better to give it more spectrum during flowering, just run the lamps side by side. If you are running large 6' bushy plants you need more penetration power which the 1000watt outperforms in that area, but honestly for indoor growing most people want 4-5' plants, and lots of em so you are mostly worried about canopy filling and more plants with less veg time than a longer veg time and fewer plants :)

just my .02 ;)
 
Brick Top

Brick Top

New Member
indagroove said:
Yes, lumens do add up. A 400 watt on average puts out 50k lumens, a 600w = 92k lumens, and a 1kw = 140k lumens. The math says that a 400w + 600w = 2000 lumens more than a 1kw.
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But they won't add up penetration-wise. The 400-watt will still only penetrate as deep as a 400-watt alone and the 600-watt will still only penetrate as deep as a 600-watt alone. There will be more lumens in the overlap area of the two and then below that only that of a 600-watt. If someone does not grow plants tall enough to go beyond the overlapping light area, then they're in like Flynn.
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
bigv1976 said:
Any other opinions on this?
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If you can ventilate/cool it, go for it by all means. I run 2-400w.

No experience with 600+400 vs a single 1k. But it does seem you would get better coverage with 2 smaller sources rather than 1 big one.

Wet
 
bigv1976

bigv1976

Well-Known Member
Brick Top said:
But they won't add up penetration-wise. The 400-watt will still only penetrate as deep as a 400-watt alone and the 600-watt will still only penetrate as deep as a 600-watt alone. There will be more lumens in the overlap area of the two and then below that only that of a 600-watt. If someone does not grow plants tall enough to go beyond the overlapping light area, then they're in like Flynn.
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So you think that adding the 400 would be alot better than the 600 alone?
 
indagroove

indagroove

Well-Known Member
Brick Top said:
But they won't add up penetration-wise. The 400-watt will still only penetrate as deep as a 400-watt alone and the 600-watt will still only penetrate as deep as a 600-watt alone. There will be more lumens in the overlap area of the two and then below that only that of a 600-watt. If someone does not grow plants tall enough to go beyond the overlapping light area, then they're in like Flynn.
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I totally disagree. Lumens are lumens, does not matter if the source is one or one million lights. "Penetration" is the same, assuming that all light sources are focused in the same area. Having multiple sources also gives you the additional advantage of being able to spread out the focus across a larger canopy instead. In this case, it would affect "penetration".

bigv1976 said:
So you think that adding the 400 would be alot better than the 600 alone?
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Yes, you will have about 60% more light output.
 
massah

massah

Well-Known Member
indagroove said:
I totally disagree. Lumens are lumens, does not matter if the source is one or one million lights. "Penetration" is the same, assuming that all light sources are focused in the same area. Having multiple sources also gives you the additional advantage of being able to spread out the focus across a larger canopy instead. In this case, it would affect "penetration".


Yes, you will have about 60% more light output.
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Everything you said was just completely wrong...and I'm not even going to tell you why...go read some more man and please stop giving out information until you actually understand the science behind it.
 
golddog

golddog

Well-Known Member
indagroove said:
I totally disagree. Lumens are lumens, does not matter if the source is one or one million lights. "Penetration" is the same, assuming that all light sources are focused in the same area. Having multiple sources also gives you the additional advantage of being able to spread out the focus across a larger canopy instead. In this case, it would affect "penetration".


Yes, you will have about 60% more light output.
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Check out a light penetration chart on the web. Maybe you will understand. bongsmilie
 
DrFever

DrFever

New Member
obviously adding more light is going to help but your only going to get the penetration rate that the lights can only produce you take a look at a 600 watt bulb then look at a 1000 watt just by looking at it tells me it means business lol now sure there really nice grows with 600's but 1000's are in a league of there own meaning fat nice buds all way thru plant :))
 
massah

massah

Well-Known Member
DrFever said:
obviously adding more light is going to help but your only going to get the penetration rate that the lights can only produce you take a look at a 600 watt bulb then look at a 1000 watt just by looking at it tells me it means business lol now sure there really nice grows with 600's but 1000's are in a league of there own meaning fat nice buds all way thru plant :))
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Screw you and your MG! Trickery I say!! :D jk...<3
 
indagroove

indagroove

Well-Known Member
I understand photon spread and how it relates to penetration, but as long as you can keep the photons all contained in the same area (like you would in a growing tent, it should not affect penetration. It's all about how the light is focused and contained. Keep in mind that most of this penetration charts don't take the reflector into consideration at all. Btw, I work professionally with many different types of lights in a non-grow capacity, and do know a bit about lighting. Your charts and theories don't really reflect all the real world applications.
 
DrFever

DrFever

New Member
indagroove said:
I understand photon spread and how it relates to penetration, but as long as you can keep the photons all contained in the same area (like you would in a growing tent, it should not affect penetration. It's all about how the light is focused and contained. Keep in mind that most of this penetration charts don't take the reflector into consideration at all. Btw, I work professionally with many different types of lights in a non-grow capacity, and do know a bit about lighting. Your charts and theories don't really reflect all the real world applications.
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ok put your face 6" infront of a 400 for 5 mins then try a 600 dont try a 1000 it will melt your face

thats whats power is all about
 
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