Is HPS too hot for a closet grow?

Hi everybody,
I'm nearing week seven of flowering and I have been using 42 Watt CFL lights. This is my first grow and while I'm excited at the prospect of harvesting, they are not the best looking plants(at least when I compare them to other people's).
I have a grow box that is four feet tall, and it has a two by three foot base (4x3x2). I'm wondering if someone can help me figure out if it would be possible to put an HPS light in there. I live in a smaller place, the lack of space means that I can only grow in that grow box, but I would like to see better results next time. First grow was from bag seed, the next one will be from purchased seeds. The strain I have now is mostly sativa while the strain I will be getting is mostly Indica, so plant height shouldn't be a problem.

hps will be fine in the closet...but you will have to get an inline fan to get the hot air outta there. i've done it before...it will work. what hps light you gonna get??

i use a 600 hps in a closet, i have a fan and some holes in the top for the hot air to escape, in the summer i just leave the door open a bit, but you could always fit 2 small comp fans 1 intake and 1 outtake.
but when i used my 250 and 400 hps, they never get too hot, really, just make sure you have a fan, always, hot or not, its good to have flowing air, and it makes the plants stronger.

i got a 600 watt and i have an econoline fan attached to the hood to keep the bulb cool thus keeping the room cool...as long as air flow good no probs

I'm thinking a 400 HPS/MH combo light. I should've really specified that it's not really a closet grow but a stealth grow. Given this, would you still say that a 400watt light would be alright in a space that measures 4ftx3ftx2ft?

Also, where would be the best place to get a light like that. (Safe/discreet) I have really enjoyed the whole growing process but I think I'm ready to get better lights.

400w, wardrobe 5c above ambient.

killed my plants when it got to 43c in there

got a 150mm extractor, ducting and glass for light. now at room temp and everything is going swimmingly.

as for size, if you get a light with a seperate ballast it will easily fit.

my lowbay is 60cm x 40cm including ballast. (about 2' x 1'2"

Is there any place go get a used light or a really good deal. I'm in MN by the way.

ebay..maybe

mnkidcan07 said:

I'm thinking a 400 HPS/MH combo light. I should've really specified that it's not really a closet grow but a stealth grow. Given this, would you still say that a 400watt light would be alright in a space that measures 4ftx3ftx2ft?

Also, where would be the best place to get a light like that. (Safe/discreet) I have really enjoyed the whole growing process but I think I'm ready to get better lights.

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well this is the rule i go by.
1 foot for pot
1 foot for light
1 to 2foot for inbetween the plants and lights
so there is 3 or 4 foot before you start.
your plants will have to be vegged i foot/4 weeks. and plants can get 2 to 3 times bigger once in 12/12.
i think you need a higher space.
my closet is 8 foot high.
if you try to cut corners, you will end up fucking up.
i would vegg in the space you have and get another closet sorted later on for when your plants go into 12/12.
plus flos are best for small plants vegging.
and hps for 12/12.
do you already have your 400hps?.

I haven not purchased the light yet. That's what I was worried about. I figured that there really wouldn't be enough room in the space that I currently have. I'm on my first grow now and have been using CFLs, and while I think my two plants look OK, they don't look anywhere near as nice as some of the ones I have seen on here. The buds are on the small side. I figured I would purchase an HPS light in order to get much better results, but I don't want to end up with a bunch of burnt plants. I already had some heat issues with the current grow.

Hey Crazy... would you just recommend continuing to use CFLs? I don't really have another space I could use. Also, what is the tallest an indica plant can get?

I would suggest getting a 250w hps for that area. I currently use a 270w super agro bulb and the 20w of blue spectrum helps alot. The the area is 3x3x4, and i get around 5-6 oz from 4 plants. Your best bet would be to stick to an indica plant and veg to 14" then flower. I keep my hps within 4" of my plants and it doesnt get too hot. I also have a circulation fan on constantly to help stregthen the stems. All you would need to worry about it getting fresh cool air into the closet. The difference between cfl and hps is like night and day. Try it out you wont be let down.

For a 250 watt ballast, would it be possible to get an MH conversion bulb? Id also like to veg with better lights. Also, can anyone recommend a low cost place to get a system like that?

mnkidcan07 said:

For a 250 watt ballast, would it be possible to get an MH conversion bulb? Id also like to veg with better lights. Also, can anyone recommend a low cost place to get a system like that?

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not positive but believe that most of the newer made ballast/hood's are able to use both mh and hps bulbs...check ur local indoor garden shop or the web if need be