need advice on grow room in the bathroom

i am setting up a grow room in my bathroom. I am going to put about 5 pots or whatever fits in the bathtub. The bathroom has an exhaust fan but does not have a window. I am planning to have a fan or 2 inside and keep the door open when i can, but there will be times when it has to be closed for almost entire day.
i am planning to get a MH/HPS ballast so i can use 2 types of bulbs.
Should i go with the 400w or 600w. My concern are

1. is that enough light for my set up?
2. how much more heat will the 600w generate over the 400w?

thank you

You will probably get as many people recommending 400W as you do 600W. Only one way to find out.

Hey brother.
If I was you I would invest in a digital ballast. Like Quantum or Lumatek type. This way you can get a 600 w and be able to turn the light down once it gets to hot in your project area. As you are growing indoors ... you will find that as it gets colder (seasonally) .... you will top out that 600 w with no problems. Turning the light knob down on theses devices will lower your temperatures by 2/3 degrees respectively through the settings. This way you can give her %100 when you are at home and venting .... and give her % 75/50 .... when the bathroom is closed and you are not there to supervise the temperatures.

That is what I would do to start.

I have a couple of things to say:

Fans in your grow will cool the air ... but by not much ... they are there to circulate that air and move the co2 from the bottom (floor level ... to top).
These fans also move your plants to strengthen the steam ... that is all.

Where is your Co2 going to be coming from ? (fresh air)
How will you cool this air ... as it heats up from the lights ?

Have you considered getting a portable air condition .... do you have space for something like that ??

Hope this helps

Wow great advice on the ballast that dimms.
I do have room for portable ac but it's not in the budget really.
As far as co2 I thought it would be enough from leaving the door open.
If my venting options are so poor should I consider t5 HO? Can I get a decent harvest of any kind.
I just need for personal use...
Thanks!

Hi Torchok :0

Welcome to RiU

I have visions of you taking your plants out to have a bath and a 600w light sitting 3 feet above yur head lol .. REMEMBER ... Water and Electricity do NOT mix well

More light will give you better results so the 600 is the way to go ... but you can manage on a 400 Not much heat differnce in them, One is slighty cooler than the other ... but both HOT

The Digi Ballest is a good tip ... but they can be pricey .. shop around

I would also recomend you get all your kit together and test it out in the room to make sure you can manage the heat befor you put plants in ( you can germ and veg between now and then )

T5's will be ok for veg period ( Or CFL ) but you will need a MH or HPS for flower period if you want bud

You might want to think about the smell of 5 Plants as they mature , A bathroom vent will only suck out the stinky air if you have no carbon filter

Agian ..Welcome to RiU