tags420
Well-Known Member
Ok the important numbers are par and that hasn't really been touched on yet. PAR shows that actual amount of light being emitted regardless of what wavelengths/colors are being putout.
To max out your space(8x6) you need more wattage no matter what you are doing. But if doing about 20 small/normal plants in a 8x6 the 400's will actually work and definitely out perform your old cfl's no doubt. And if done right be as good as any system.
But you would need Ceramic Metal Halide bulbs. Like 330 phillips allstart. Not just any 400's can compete with the bigger hps.
The reason why is that the 330cmh produces the more PAR than a 600hps...1100umol(HPS) compared to 1400umol(CMH) at 12"
They have a much fuller spectrum and produce more light straight up...and way better usable light at that. If only using regular 400 bulbs then the 600(or bigger) will do better, but get cmh bulbs you'll have more intensity to begin with, and you can spread it while running more of them lower.
Plus they need run on cheap magnetic ballast(and still produce better output) so start up cost are cheaper too.
And you can easily add more if you intend to expand later to max out your space
To max out your space(8x6) you need more wattage no matter what you are doing. But if doing about 20 small/normal plants in a 8x6 the 400's will actually work and definitely out perform your old cfl's no doubt. And if done right be as good as any system.
But you would need Ceramic Metal Halide bulbs. Like 330 phillips allstart. Not just any 400's can compete with the bigger hps.
The reason why is that the 330cmh produces the more PAR than a 600hps...1100umol(HPS) compared to 1400umol(CMH) at 12"
They have a much fuller spectrum and produce more light straight up...and way better usable light at that. If only using regular 400 bulbs then the 600(or bigger) will do better, but get cmh bulbs you'll have more intensity to begin with, and you can spread it while running more of them lower.
Plus they need run on cheap magnetic ballast(and still produce better output) so start up cost are cheaper too.
And you can easily add more if you intend to expand later to max out your space