Lightning questions

East Coast Pro

Active Member
I hope you guys don't think I'm completely stupid for these questions, but here it goes:

If I used 4 125 watt CFLs or 400 watts, that wouldn't be the same as a 400 watt HPS, right?
I'm still at home and don't want to jack the light bill up to a point where it'll be noticed..

Would that setup be cheaper than a HPS light?
I also won't be using reflectors, just hanging down from cords..

Also how many plants SHOULD I be able to grow on average with those 4 125 watt CFLs?

How much do you think that would add to my monthly light bill, I'll be growing 12-12 from seed to also help on the electricity bill and room restrictions..
 

phillipchristian

New Member
Get a 400w light, it will actually produce less heat and consume less electricity. If you hang it vertically then you can put 3-4 plants around it but you will need to rotate those plants everyday. Might help to get a few 75w CFL's too just to help around the outside. Would be better if you could put the 400w in a reflector and then you could fit the 3-4 plants under it with a more even light disbursement. A 400w light on 12/12 will cost you about $20 a month on you electrical bill.
 

phillipchristian

New Member
Just remember, a 600w needs to be air cooled, is hotter (shorter plants), and uses more electricity. Also, check how much they charge you per kilowatt hour on your electric bill. Everywhere is different. That 600w could cost as much as $60 a month on 12/12
 

F A B

New Member
I hope you guys don't think I'm completely stupid for these questions, but here it goes:

If I used 4 125 watt CFLs or 400 watts, that wouldn't be the same as a 400 watt HPS, right?
I'm still at home and don't want to jack the light bill up to a point where it'll be noticed..

Would that setup be cheaper than a HPS light?
I also won't be using reflectors, just hanging down from cords..

Also how many plants SHOULD I be able to grow on average with those 4 125 watt CFLs?

How much do you think that would add to my monthly light bill, I'll be growing 12-12 from seed to also help on the electricity bill and room restrictions..
not trying to be a dick but if and i say if u live in someone elses home and dont have their premission to grow dont do it

and i did say if
i really dont know all the facts just way it sounds
 

richinweed

Active Member
get a 400w light, it will actually produce less heat and consume less electricity. If you hang it vertically then you can put 3-4 plants around it but you will need to rotate those plants everyday. Might help to get a few 75w cfl's too just to help around the outside. Would be better if you could put the 400w in a reflector and then you could fit the 3-4 plants under it with a more even light disbursement. A 400w light on 12/12 will cost you about $20 a month on you electrical bill.
hes right but forget the rotate part.. Studies that have been done(found on net)proved less yield compared to proiritising(sp) the bud sights that get the best light..
 

greenlikemoney

Well-Known Member
Um, (4) 125w CFL's are (4) 125W CFL's...you don't add the Lumens together, that's not the way it works. If that was the case, everyone would be using (20) 125W CFL's ( 2500watts ) for their grows and HID's would be sitting in the back rooms of antique stores.....Watts and lumens are two entirely different things.
 

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Thanks goddess!!! How much for the 600w plus all the other crap..exhaust fan, carbon filter, ballast, etc? Bout the same?
Decent 600w setup with a AIR COOLED hood would be about $200-$250 Non Digital, Digital is always more but worth it... Make sure you get a air cooled hood, not cooltube either and go for 8" over 6".

a 8" CAN FAN HO is around $250-$300 for MAX FAN which is slightly better..... (I use 16" radiator fans and 8" Industrial circulation fans). Dont buy Carbon Filter yet/ unless you have smell prob, or plan to exhaust the room.

Theres lots of ways to skin a cat though what equipment do you already Have??
 

East Coast Pro

Active Member
Decent 600w setup with a AIR COOLED hood would be about $200-$250 Non Digital, Digital is always more but worth it... Make sure you get a air cooled hood, not cooltube either and go for 8" over 6".

a 8" CAN FAN HO is around $250-$300 for MAX FAN which is slightly better..... (I use 16" radiator fans and 8" Industrial circulation fans). Dont buy Carbon Filter yet/ unless you have smell prob, or plan to exhaust the room.

Theres lots of ways to skin a cat though what equipment do you already Have??
None haha putting it all together over the next week..thanks so much for your time and help!! I gave you some REP!!!
 

phillipchristian

New Member
Um, (4) 125w CFL's are (4) 125W CFL's...you don't add the Lumens together, that's not the way it works. If that was the case, everyone would be using (20) 125W CFL's ( 2500watts ) for their grows and HID's would be sitting in the back rooms of antique stores.....Watts and lumens are two entirely different things.
Lumens actually ARE stackable. Watts aren't. It's the penetration, footprint, and spectrum that are the advantages to HID lighting.
 

greenlikemoney

Well-Known Member
I'm looking at a 250w HPS..how many plants would that support? Imagine it would only be $10-$15 a month on 12-12?
You can grow (6) nice plants, in (1) gal containers, 12/12 from seed in 75 days under a 150W HPS in a 2x2X5. You can expect to yield about 1/2 oz per plant.

If you want to run a 250W, you will need to air cool your light ( cool tube, etc etc ). Don't forget you will need a carbon filter most likely also.

If this is your first grow, "grow (6) nice plants, in (1) gal containers, 12/12 from seed in 75 days under a 150W HPS in a 2x2X5. You can expect to yield about 1/2 oz per plant."

Just my opinion.
 
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