400 vs 600 vs 1000 hid

ok. . So I have two 400 watt lights. Overhead high bay vertical. I like my lights but think I messed up and should have bought 600's. Here's a few questions. Is 1000 better then 2 600's. I no that the lumens per watt is highest with 600's at about 153 lumens per watt. A 1000 is at about 145 and a 400 at about 125. So you get more light for your buck wit a 600. There's efficiency. Then there's the heat. 1000's are hot! 600's n 400 are not !

Another question. I no when it comes to addin up lights you add the watts together. Such as 600 plus a 600 would be 1200 watts. But do you use the same addition principle with the lumens. Like a 600 with 92000 each bulb would add too 184000 for two. Or is it different and do you use more of a percentage of the lumen with each additional bulb.
All facts n opinions welcome. Please explain why you like what you like.

First .. lumens don't add...

Just like adding speakers to your home... it makes for a more even distribution of clear sound... but it does not affect the VOLUME...

I use aircooled 600s because I can have my plants touching the glass... 6" from the bulb... and they cover my 3x3 ebb/flow trays perfectly...

If I had 1ks... I would have to move the light further away from the plants...


images courtesy of Al B. Fuct...

I don't think you would add up the lumen values as one unless they were in the same reflector. But with the two lights you would have say 92000 lumens from two different sources giving you a broader light pattern that could be closer to the canopy. I have a 600 and an adjust a wing reflector.I just got it so no opinion yet but from what I hear they are among the brightest, and I like the adjustabilty of it.

I have a 1000watt and keep it 20" from my tops. I just put a bathroom exhaust fan right on top of the hood. No glass, just have the fun sucking air over the bulb and out of the room. Seems to do the trick. Not sure on how much light I get compared to gypsy at his distance with a 600 but the things I have seen him/ are seeing him do with his 600's are just plain amazing! I think it all depends on your style. I am planning on implementing a light mover and should allow me to drop the light another 6 inches or so.

Myself I would go with the 2 600's just because the better coverage of light coming from 2 light sources. Check out Jorge Cervantes's book, he goes into lighting pretty good. Plus the 2 600's will be drawing just 1.7 Amps more power then the 1K. 8.3 Amps versus 10 Amps. It really depends on what room or $$ you got. Here is a link to a better discussion about the lumens because I'm uncertain about that, but it's logical your lumens, footcandles would go up. https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/83128-lumens-lux-adding-all-up.html

600s all the way, thats my preference.

abayareabum said:

Myself I would go with the 2 600's just because the better coverage of light coming from 2 light sources. Check out Jorge Cervantes's book, he goes into lighting pretty good. Plus the 2 600's will be drawing just 1.7 Amps more power then the 1K. 8.3 Amps versus 10 Amps. It really depends on what room or $$ you got. Here is a link to a better discussion about the lumens because I'm uncertain about that, but it's logical your lumens, footcandles would go up. https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/83128-lumens-lux-adding-all-up.html

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There are other variables to consider. Some ballasts can run on 220 thus reducing the amount of amps you are pulling and you could put 2X1000 on the same circuit. Plus the while the 1000 doesn't make light as efficiently it does produce more overall light. And for the lumens factor think this way. It is like adding speakers as someone else mentioned. You don't actually add the lumens, however you have a more even distribution of the same power. 2x600 HPS will never make the same INTENSITY that a 1000 watt will. Physics just doesn't work like that. To each his own tho, blaze uses 600's and makes forests with them. Find what best suits your own style and op.

These two are equal in the INTENSITY of sound they both produce(1) 60dB speaker = (25) 60dB speakers

however the 25 speaker arrangement will sound better because it provides many different source points. Same with lights. room does not get any brighter, just has a more even coverage of bright light(same thing can be accomplished with 1 light and 1 mover) If coverage is the problem you are trying to solve.

Boulderheads said:

(same thing can be accomplished with 1 light and 1 mover)

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I don't like lightmovers... they move the light away from your plants...

I feel ya gyps, but think about in the wild, the light gets moved away from them by clouds and solar patterns. And don't worry the light is coming right back when it reaches the end of the track. Just a nice way to cut down on buying lotsa lights and paying for more power to run those lights. Use 1 double the area. Would allow for light to penetrate lower foilage too as it passes over and hits plant at diff angles. To each his own tho, and I have nothing but respect for the gyspy. You are doing some wonderful things right now, and have done great things in the past.

I have never used one... but when I look at my garden...and I visualize one light on a mover vs 2 lights...

All I see is loss......

The difference in watts is more than covered by the extra light... (extra buds)

I'd like to think there are nothing but PERFECT days in my op... no clouds...

But as I said... my point is faulty in the fact that I have never used one...

About the only type of mover I am fond of is the one that looks like a ceiling fan...

Do you know which one I am talking about?

I could see MBlaze's 4x 600w spinning around in one of those Sun Circles...

But even then... the added watts to power the mover and the hassle to deal with it will not likely show much improvement in yield...

Don't have the personal experience either gypsy just my thoughts and all the info I have read up on. And I agree with you on the op about being no clouds... and I know you don't go outdoors cuz of your location, but something about making the plants work hard and then give them a little break sounds much like interval training, and we all know what that does for these freaky athletes. But like I said, just my 2 cents, I have no personal experience with them.... although I might be lucky enough to have one for winter time so we can all find out then!

GypsyBush said:

About the only type of mover I am fond of is the one that looks like a ceiling fan...

Do you know which one I am talking about?

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I sure do!! Seen them on the NatGeo Special when Lisa Ling does Marijuana Nation and the guy in Canada has 3 or 4 of them hanging off this old school wagon wheel contraption. Purddyy slick if you ask me. I can see the linear ones being useful if you are trying to get a 1000watt to cover an 8'X4' area. I wouldn't go as far as to move my light so far away the plants weren't atleast getting some light all the time.

Boulderheads said:

I sure do!! Seen them on the NatGeo Special when Lisa Ling does Marijuana Nation and the guy in Canada has 3 or 4 of them hanging off this old school wagon wheel contraption. Purddyy slick if you ask me. I can see the linear ones being useful if you are trying to get a 1000watt to cover an 8'X4' area. I wouldn't go as far as to move my light so far away the plants weren't atleast getting some light all the time.

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I really want to see one of these things. You guys know of a link or a pic or something?

http://www.westcoastgrowers.com/solarrevolution.htm

That is not the one I was speaking of, but it still gives you the idea of the concept.

Just some more info in Light Movers in general.

http://www.indoor-gardening-guide.com/lights/light-movers.html

Ichi said:

I really want to see one of these things. You guys know of a link or a pic or something?

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Been looking for a decent pic online...

It's called Sun Circle...

And I hear you Boulder... But I am always trying to figure out how to get MORE LIGHT... never less... I consider a 1k to be good for a 4x4 sog tray... not 2...

Sure you can do it... but at half steam...

I truly believe my crappy bagseed, grown by a newb with 1 crappy nute, looks as good as they do because I have the light RIGHT IN THEIR FACE ALL THE FREAKING TIME... RIGHT THERE!!!

same company different pic