Question about lighting

scubatc

scubatc

Well-Known Member
I currently have two 65w fluorescent lights and was thinking about upgrading to a 1000w MH/HPS switchable light. How much will i benefit from this? Im growing 6 plants in a bubbleponics system about 4x4 in a closet that is about 10wx4dx10h. Also where is the best place to buy a light and what type do you guys recommend?

Thanks for the help!
 
Internode

Internode

Well-Known Member
Keep in mind, you can't just pick up a 1000 watter, toss it in there and be all good, you'll probably fry your plants. you will need to plan for and purchase necessary venting equipment. My 400 watt Metal Halide un-vented takes my room from 68 to 82 degrees. Vented with a 250 cfm fan my temps stay around 72. my room size is 7L 4W 6.5H. If my 400 causes a 14 degree increase, that 1000 will cause at least 28 degrees or more un-vented.
 
UncleBuck

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
yes, venting is important.

and the benefit to switching up in lighting will be ENORMOUS.

i would say you can get by with 600 watts for a 4 x 4 area.
 
scubatc

scubatc

Well-Known Member
Yeah ive got a a 6 inch intake and 6 inch exhaust with fans on both. An oscillating fan inside the closet. The temp stays around 65 degrees in the closet right now so I have a heater with an automatic shutoff on it to keep the room around 77F im hoping with the light ill be able to ditch the heater. Thanks for the help and advice!
 
UncleBuck

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
scubatc said:
This is the light I was looking at getting mostly because it comes with both bulbs and is a switchable ballast

http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/product.php?xProd=23

Thats just a lot of cash to drop on a light so I wanna make sure the outcome will bury the cost.
Click to expand...
i promise you, in time the outcome will bury the cost many times over.

htgsupply usually has the cheapest price on 600 watters, although i'm a big fan of craigslist myself. i always like to buy high bay lights and repurpose them. i put 800 watts in this winter for about $110.
 
scubatc

scubatc

Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the help guys! I think I only need a 600W light but im leaning towards the 1000w cause its the only one I can find that has a switchable ballast with both bulbs installed in the hood. If someone know of a switchable 600W that would be great!
 
Internode

Internode

Well-Known Member
Almost all digital ballasts will run both MH and HPS, AND a 600 watt digital will put out darn near the same lumen/par as a 1000 watt magnetic (core coil) ballast. I read good things about Phantom digital ballasts by Hydrofarm. A buddy of mine has the 400 watt Phantom and a digilux HPS bulb and a SunPulse MH bulb and he loves the setup.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top