36"x20"x62" CFL vs MH/HPS Help?

Newtoweed1

Newtoweed1

Member
I am currently growing 6 plants in this grow tent. (36"Wx20"Dx62"T) I am running 12, 40 watt CFL's and the plants are growing like crazy. (Only 19 days old on there 5th node)

My concern with upgrading to a MH/HPS is heat, size and space. Should I stick with the CFL or should I upgrade? If I were to upgrade. What would I need? 400 watts? 600 watts. How hot would it get? I have a 6" ventilation fan. But I can't get much better then that due to the space the tent is in. Just with the CFLs the temp of the tent is around 77 degrees.

Any input is much appreciated!!
 
FLA TOKIN

FLA TOKIN

Well-Known Member
Newtoweed1 said:
I am currently growing 6 plants in this grow tent. (36"Wx20"Dx62"T) I am running 12, 40 watt CFL's and the plants are growing like crazy. (Only 19 days old on there 5th node)

My concern with upgrading to a MH/HPS is heat, size and space. Should I stick with the CFL or should I upgrade? If I were to upgrade. What would I need? 400 watts? 600 watts. How hot would it get? I have a 6" ventilation fan. But I can't get much better then that due to the space the tent is in. Just with the CFLs the temp of the tent is around 77 degrees.

Any input is much appreciated!!
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400 or 600watt MH/HPS combo would be great, although all you need is HPS. Only depends on your cash limit and how much you want to yield, the 400 or 600watt debate.

The 600 HPS will give denser, bigger buds on those 6 plants. But will cost more initially and cost more to run annually. So factor that in with more heat. ( AIR-COOLED HOODS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED )

With a small tent like that you will most likely want to et an air-cooled hood for 400 too. In a bigger tent you may be able to swing 400 without an air cooled hood, in a cool climate.

CFL's do just great at early Vegging. Depending on how tall you like to veg, CFL/HPS should be all you need for continual harvests. MH is for people who don't like CFL's, already have MH, or just want better penetration and coverage n cost is not a huge factor.

Keep on the green path! Good luck on your Garden!
 
Newtoweed1

Newtoweed1

Member
FLA TOKIN said:
400 or 600watt MH/HPS combo would be great, although all you need is HPS. Only depends on your cash limit and how much you want to yield, the 400 or 600watt debate.

The 600 HPS will give denser, bigger buds on those 6 plants. But will cost more initially and cost more to run annually. So factor that in with more heat. ( AIR-COOLED HOODS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED )

With a small tent like that you will most likely want to et an air-cooled hood for 400 too. In a bigger tent you may be able to swing 400 without an air cooled hood, in a cool climate.

CFL's do just great at early Vegging. Depending on how tall you like to veg, CFL/HPS should be all you need for continual harvests. MH is for people who don't like CFL's, already have MH, or just want better penetration and coverage n cost is not a huge factor.

Keep on the green path! Good luck on your Garden!
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So what about the flowering stage? Would the CFL's setup I have now work for flowering as well? This is my main concern. If not I'll most likely buy a 400 watt HPS setup.
 
vitamin_green_inc

vitamin_green_inc

Well-Known Member
Get the 400w and you will be much happier, it's worth it. Might need a cool tube in that size tent. I run in that tent, LED. Works well, good luck
 
FLA TOKIN

FLA TOKIN

Well-Known Member
Newtoweed1 said:
So what about the flowering stage? Would the CFL's setup I have now work for flowering as well? This is my main concern. If not I'll most likely buy a 400 watt HPS setup.
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YES.

If I was not clear, BUY THE HPS Light!!!

You won't regret it. Like above mentioned. Either invest in an air cooled hood or cool tube with a small tent like that.

People have harvested with just CFL but it is way better in all aspects to get a nice HPS setup.
 
BobCajun

BobCajun

Well-Known Member
For that small a space a 150w HPS is plenty. Maybe with a couple 23w soft white CFLs on the sides to fill out the parts farthest from the HPS. Maybe 30 or 40 watters if you want to push things. It will get quite hot with 40s though.
 
Newtoweed1

Newtoweed1

Member
BobCajun said:
For that small a space a 150w HPS is plenty. Maybe with a couple 23w soft white CFLs on the sides to fill out the parts farthest from the HPS. Maybe 30 or 40 watters if you want to push things. It will get quite hot with 40s though.
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I've been looking at those, if I were to get a 150W or 250W would I need a cool tube or could I just us a small fan to keep it cool?
 
FLA TOKIN

FLA TOKIN

Well-Known Member
My 1000watter gets hot enough to burn your hand.

Be smart, get an air cooled hood or cool-tube.

It will be hard to manage temps, and almost guarantee plant health issues from heat / burning if only using a small fan unless you live somewhere VERY cold.
 
Newtoweed1

Newtoweed1

Member
FLA TOKIN said:
My 1000watter gets hot enough to burn your hand.

Be smart, get an air cooled hood or cool-tube.

It will be hard to manage temps, and almost guarantee plant health issues from heat / burning if only using a small fan unless you live somewhere VERY cold.
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I am getting a 400 watt cool tube with dimmable ballast. But I don't know what very cold is to you. But where I live it is currently 45-55 degrees and only getting colder as they days go by. In another 3 - 4 weeks it will be about 25-40 degrees daily and we will ride that out till about February.
 
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