What lights to choose?

[turtle420]

Hello everyone...

My first setup is almost ready to get built... :) Thanks to everyone for your kind help.

My present question:

I'm planning on using a 800W system? [ ref: http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/customkititems.asp?kc=HLDSSP08&eq= ]

What would the advantages/disadvantages be to upgrading to a 1000W system ? [ ref: http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/customkititems.asp?kc=HLDSSP10&eq= ]

In addition, these systems have 'upgrade options' with an entire fucking line of different bulbs. Different bulbs for the MH and different bulbs for the HPS. What's up with that? What do you suggest? Should I just drop the $70 for each of the bulb upgrades and get their costliest? So many bulbs?!! :eek:


Last question: My setup will still consist of an area 36" by 20"... I'd like to do a Sea of Green... can it be done with a NFT hydroponic setup? Or is SoG only for soil?

Next to last question: How many plants can I cram into such a NFT cabinet? 36"x20" with 800Ws? How about 36"x20" with 1000Ws? [Cooling/air ventilation will be appropiately addressed]. 12 plants (3 rows with 4 each)??? or 9 plants (3 rows with 3 each) ???

Thanks for the advise, time and help!

-turtle420 :cool:

[Lady Vapor]

You might consider going with 2 - 400 watt (I use HPS) instead of the 1 - 800 watt. I could be wrong, but I've noticed the young plants don't take too kindly to 800 watts. With 2 - 400 watt fixtures you could just run one for the first 3 or four weeks. In addition it will spread the light more evenly in your space. In a space that size, I'm afraid you may cook them with light since it will be so close to your plants. The light alone can cook your plant even if your temp. is around 75 degrees.

As far as how many plants... I did a 3' X 5' space last time and got 5 plants, however they were very lean! My current space is 5' X 9' and I have 6 plants. There are 4 that have turned into bushes without being topped. These four are about 3 ' across in 2 months and will probably fill the entire space.

I paid 30 dollars extra for an upgraded bulb. It does have a different look on the inside. However, they look the same to me??? I have no idea if it really will yeid the 17% more flowers, etc. the light claims to produce.

Happy farming :)

[SeedKing72]

I would reccomend you do have Metal Halide for Vegging and HPS for flowering... I agree with the previous post get 2 400's or better yet 600's... That seems like a lot of light for such a small space though, but can you really have too much light? I dont know.. But you will have some serious heat issues.. so be sure to vent... I aint an expert, just though I would add my two cents

[turtle420]

Lady Vapor and SeedKing72,

Thanks for your advice...

New question... the 800W system has two bulbs. So I could just leave one one of the bulbs turned ON... instead of turning them ON both.

After some time, yes, I would then turn ON both of the lights (3-4 weeks?).

So now, just to make sure... what do you think about the 1000W system?
This system includes two bulbs; one 600W HPS and one 400W MH. Could I do the same thing with this? Can I run them for the begining month with the 600W and then turn ON the second 400W ?

I know there's shitloads of questions, but I would trully appreciate your answers...

[Marc Benson]

The system you have HAS two bulbs. A 400 watt HPS and a 400 watt MH. A lot of people are using such systems these days and instead of the old way where you use the MH totally at first and then the HPS totally to flower, they use both at varying amounts of exposure throughout the grow period. It's said to make bushier more roust growth which means more yields.

But 800 watts burning in that small of an area is going to require some major heat control. Even 400 watts. A cool tube would help big time.