Cab Height and Lighting

[da_natural]

I have a cabinet that is 3' x 4' x 2' (height, length, depth).

I was reading someone's grow log and I saw a mention of the cabinet not being tall enough for a 400 HPS.

I was/am going to buy a 400 hps, but wanted to throw it out there to see if my cab is tall enough?

Thanks

[keeko]

a 400watter is good for about a 3x3 space. a cooltube is a must if you plan on a 400.

after you take away space the light and pots take up your left with little space for your plants, lst should be a thought.

[Dutch Pimp]

Only with a cool tube...IMO...a 400 watt HPS needs to be 10-15 inches above the tops of the plants; otherwise...and that zone needs to stay under 85 degrees.

It's trickey keeping plants short and bushy...they like to grow up...^

[da_natural]

I was definitely gonna LST and was definitely gonna get a cool tube.

Everywhere I've read says keep the lights as close a possible without burning. Is the 10-15 inches so the light can "spread"?

So is the bottom line advice: 400hps cooled is okay as long as I keep the plants tied down as much as I can with LST?

Thanks again for the advice.

[keeko]

cooltube or not there is going to be radiant hear, the cool tube will cut down on it......i would say do the 'hand' test, but you dont have the light yet.

ever think about maybe 2 250watters space out evenly? you could make a cool tube out of hurrican glass pretty easily.

[da_natural]

ever think about maybe 2 250watters space out evenly? you could make a cool tube out of hurrican glass pretty easily.

How is the 2 - 250 watt setup better than 1 - 400 watt setup?

[keeko]

better light distribution and less intense heat in one given area....

also with your 2 foot depth it will help to have a lower wattage bulb in thatarea and give a comfortable wattage to your plants.

[da_natural]

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense but I think I'm gonna stick with the 400 watter (cheaper than buying 2 x 250 watters).

[keeko]

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense but I think I'm gonna stick with the 400 watter (cheaper than buying 2 x 250 watters).

i like your style, bigger is better......but please atleast spend as much on ventilation as you did the 400watter.

[daihashi]

i like your style, bigger is better......but please atleast spend as much on ventilation as you did the 400watter.

1 6 inch inline fan pulling 424 CFM through a cool tube seems to keep both my light and my 3'x3'x 4.5' tall room around 76 degrees 4" away from the light with an ambient temperature in the house of 73-74.

Cost me $120 for the fan and $80 for the 6" cool tube. :thumbsup:

[keeko]

1 6 inch inline fan pulling 424 CFM through a cool tube seems to keep both my light and my 3'x3'x 4.5' tall room around 76 degrees 4" away from the light with an ambient temperature in the house of 73-74.

Cost me $120 for the fan and $80 for the 6" cool tube. :thumbsup:

thats good to hear daihashi, im looking to build a cab close to those dimensions.

[da_natural]

i like your style, bigger is better......but please atleast spend as much on ventilation as you did the 400watter.

Got to. I'm gonna buy a 400 watter with a cool tube reflector from HTG. and a 6in inline probably from Home Depot. I wish I would've known I was gonna need one because I bought a 4in one a while ago (I'll find a use for it). I live in a place as hot as hell, so it's pretty much a necessity.

I've been reading this site for about a year now and this was my 1st post. I did a CFL grow from reading Bodom's log (my inspiration). My 3rd attempt was successful, man was I proud of myself. Promised to never buy another bag again, forget the middle man.

Y'all don't know how much you've helped the silent lurkers, like me, out.

One day, I'll probably do a grow log. I just hope new growers realize it can be done. I remember someone saying, "it's meant to grow." I kept telling myself that and that i was the one stopping it. As soon as I stopped meddling, it was happy times :rastasmoke:

[da_natural]

1 6 inch inline fan pulling 424 CFM through a cool tube seems to keep both my light and my 3'x3'x 4.5' tall room around 76 degrees 4" away from the light with an ambient temperature in the house of 73-74.

Cost me $120 for the fan and $80 for the 6" cool tube. :thumbsup:


I've always dug your disclaimer. :thumbsup:

[daihashi]

thats good to hear daihashi, im looking to build a cab close to those dimensions.

To be fair (and I'm sure you know as you've read the thread) the cabinet is actually divided into 2 chambers.

It is actually 6 feet tall. with the main plant area being 3'x3'x4.5'... the area above it holds the inline fan and is for my clones/mothers. It is 3'x3'x1.5'

I'm sure some of the ambient heat escapes into the clone chamber.

So if you build 4.5' tall cabinet only then your actual temps may be higher to mine due to the overall lower height/interior area for the heat to fill.