Club 315w lec

New to the 315 club. Was previously a 600w HID grower for 6 years. The hydro store told me one 315w with a Phillips 3100K would be enough for a 4x4 area to veg and flower. My question is will a 315W actually be enough to flower? I don't mind buying another 315w to hang in there. I just want to make sure...

Hang height of 22-24" should be okay correct? What about the 10-15% boost on the ballast up to 350w, is it okay to use that without damage? If it lessens the bulb life I don't care, money isn't the issue here.

Here's what all my plants look like right now, 2x2x3ft tall. Total of 6 plants in 3 gallon buckets of pure coco. I just lollypopped them and put back into the tent. Canopy picture is about 3 days after lollypopping. Cheers

weednerd.anthony.850 said:

Hey guys, a quick question for LEC users, I’m sure this has been asked many times but I am getting all my gear together to set up a new grow since I moved, and I am strongly considering LEC instead of 1k HPS like I’ve always used, but as far as having enough wattage per sq ft for yield, and also the proper distance from plants for LECs how many 315s should I use for a 5x5 with 7’ ceilings? I’ve read a good bit on the topic, but I can’t decide if I should run 2 or 3 for my old 1 k HPS setup to be revamped, as I know their footprints are pretty small... Sorry for the very wordy post, any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Have a dank day!

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For a 5x5 you might get away with 1 315 but you would need to also supplement with led to get the coverage you'd like to see. If that isn't a option or something you are interested in then I'd think about a 630 fixture. The problem with two 315's is the footprint that they provide. I did my first grow in a 4 x 4 with 1 315 cmh and two cheap china made led panels and had great results other than the stuff a newbie has to deal and learn about. If it was me and I had the budget I would go with one 315 and then buy 4 100 watt led bars and surround the 315 with them. Are you planning on only using the cmh for flower or are you going to use it all the way threw start to finish? Personally I'd use it only in the final stages of growing the way people did when the lights first came out. The UV they put out is pretty intense and can really cause the plants stress if you don't know what you are doing as I learned in the end, but take that with a grain of salt cause it was my first indoor grow. Photo below was my science project from last winter..

RyanWestCoast said:

New to the 315 club. Was previously a 600w HID grower for 6 years. The hydro store told me one 315w with a Phillips 3100K would be enough for a 4x4 area to veg and flower. My question is will a 315W actually be enough to flower? I don't mind buying another 315w to hang in there. I just want to make sure...

Hang height of 22-24" should be okay correct? What about the 10-15% boost on the ballast up to 350w, is it okay to use that without damage? If it lessens the bulb life I don't care, money isn't the issue here.

Here's what all my plants look like right now, 2x2x3ft tall. Total of 6 plants in 3 gallon buckets of pure coco. I just lollypopped them and put back into the tent. Canopy picture is about 3 days after lollypopping. Cheers

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One 315 is good really for only about 3 x 3 space. I'd supplement if you can with another style of light to get a good overall coverage. I just posted to someone else who is asking about using CMH in a 5 x 5 and they will need at least a 630 to cover that space. Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide on.

farmingfisherman said:

One 315 is good really for only about 3 x 3 space. I'd supplement if you can with another style of light to get a good overall coverage. I just posted to someone else who is asking about using CMH in a 5 x 5 and they will need at least a 630 to cover that space. Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide on.

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Currently the plants in my 4x4 only really take up a 3x3 space, there is about 4-6" space around the canopy. Ill go with one for now and see how its goes. I have a 4ft 4 bulb T5 and a 2ft x6" wide fullsprecum LED bar I could put in there too if needed. Thanks!

weednerd.anthony.850 said:

Hey guys, a quick question for LEC users, I’m sure this has been asked many times but I am getting all my gear together to set up a new grow since I moved, and I am strongly considering LEC instead of 1k HPS like I’ve always used, but as far as having enough wattage per sq ft for yield, and also the proper distance from plants for LECs how many 315s should I use for a 5x5 with 7’ ceilings? I’ve read a good bit on the topic, but I can’t decide if I should run 2 or 3 for my old 1 k HPS setup to be revamped, as I know their footprints are pretty small... Sorry for the very wordy post, any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Have a dank day!

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A 315 CMH covers approx 3x3, I run two 315's in a 4 x 4 in a straight horizontal grows, with about 1 x 4 as space for fan and air intake, You can look in my, signature for my grows.

weednerd.anthony.850 said:

Hey guys, a quick question for LEC users, I’m sure this has been asked many times but I am getting all my gear together to set up a new grow since I moved, and I am strongly considering LEC instead of 1k HPS like I’ve always used, but as far as having enough wattage per sq ft for yield, and also the proper distance from plants for LECs how many 315s should I use for a 5x5 with 7’ ceilings? I’ve read a good bit on the topic, but I can’t decide if I should run 2 or 3 for my old 1 k HPS setup to be revamped, as I know their footprints are pretty small... Sorry for the very wordy post, any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Have a dank day!

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I would use 2 - 315's each one gives a bit better than 3x3.
Good luck and keep it green.

You can add more juice later.
I added strips and dropped one 315 for this run. Approx 4x4.

TintEastwood said:

You can add more juice later.
I added strips and dropped one 315 for this run. Approx 4x4.

View attachment 4735537

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Love seeing the different styles of growing each of us has, what are the plants up front? Guessing you have some really tall ceilings..

farmingfisherman said:

Love seeing the different styles of growing each of us has, what are the plants up front? Guessing you have some really tall ceilings..

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Fortunately 8ft.

Front row is..
Afghani x NL
JOTI Goji Black Funk Dawg
JOTI Blue God

Just started growing with a 315w in a 4x4 for veg and a 630w in a 4x4 for flower. Much better yields than the 400w hps i had in a 3x3 and faster turn arounds with separate tents. Glad i switched.

weednerd.anthony.850 said:

Hey guys, a quick question for LEC users, I’m sure this has been asked many times but I am getting all my gear together to set up a new grow since I moved, and I am strongly considering LEC instead of 1k HPS like I’ve always used, but as far as having enough wattage per sq ft for yield, and also the proper distance from plants for LECs how many 315s should I use for a 5x5 with 7’ ceilings? I’ve read a good bit on the topic, but I can’t decide if I should run 2 or 3 for my old 1 k HPS setup to be revamped, as I know their footprints are pretty small... Sorry for the very wordy post, any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Have a dank day!

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This is not a plug but this explains the spacing of a 315cmh. I am very happy with this bulb. The 315 really shines when you keep them 2.5' or 3.0' apart. I keep them at 30" apart center of bulb to center of bulb. I also use a Phantom 2 with remote ballast.

This was a 24 plant SOG.

I have thought of moving the lamp to the extreme sides of the tent and then tilting them slightly back over the plants. Did it a few years ago with one 315 and a SS400 led. It worked ok.

Blindnslow said:

Just started growing with a 315w in a 4x4 for veg and a 630w in a 4x4 for flower. Much better yields than the 400w hps i had in a 3x3 and faster turn arounds with separate tents. Glad i switched.

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You have any photos of the results of each.. I'm torn in the thinking of using the cmh instead of a led for veg. Totally get the use of the 630 cmh for flower @ColoradoHighGrower but still love to the pics if you have any of the veg results. Cheers

Wow guys thanks for all the replies! I think I will run two 325s side by side in my situation since it is a 5x5, I rather be a bit overkill with light than not enough if anything, and while I’m at it would be cheaper to get a 630 fixture ? I’ve heard two 315s would be better even if a bit more expensive as in case of ballast failure or any issues you can still have some light on the girls while you fix rather than 630 possibly giving out even if rare still possible and the girls having their light cycle thrown off scares me lol

weednerd.anthony.850 said:

Wow guys thanks for all the replies! I think I will run two 325s side by side in my situation since it is a 5x5, I rather be a bit overkill with light than not enough if anything, and while I’m at it would be cheaper to get a 630 fixture ? I’ve heard two 315s would be better even if a bit more expensive as in case of ballast failure or any issues you can still have some light on the girls while you fix rather than 630 possibly giving out even if rare still possible and the girls having their light cycle thrown off scares me lol

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I think both are true plus it will allow you to move them up or down as needed to manage canopy height.

farmingfisherman said:

I think both are true plus it will allow you to move them up or down as needed to manage canopy height.

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Thanks man that’s where I was leaning towards with my reading and all but I’m about to pull the trigger this weekend on lights and I will have a journal soon as I get back on track and pop some beans, much love 315 users !

Hey guys, would I be good with a 630w CMH in a 5x5? I have one that works very nicely in a 3x3 but looking to upgrade.

daddy32992 said:

Hey guys, would I be good with a 630w CMH in a 5x5? I have one that works very nicely in a 3x3 but looking to upgrade.

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Damn it works well in a 3 x 3? Surprised you don't cook the plants in that small of space!

farmingfisherman said:

Damn it works well in a 3 x 3? Surprised you don't cook the plants in that small of space!

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Nope my bad I meant that a 315 works well in 3x3. I'm wondering what you guys think of a sunsystem 630 for a 5x5 (4 plant max)

daddy32992 said:

Nope my bad I meant that a 315 works well in 3x3. I'm wondering what you guys think of a sunsystem 630 for a 5x5 (4 plant max)

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I bet it would rock at 3 x 3 well. 5 x 5 would be a stretch. You want at least 35 watts if I recall correctly per foot. You buy the tent yet? If not go with a 4 x 4 and you would be set. You planning on using it for both veg and bloom or only bloom?