NEED HELP WITH LIGHTING???

[wildchick]

While finally we have decided to go with this unit here http://www.meadowviewfeedandgarden.com/product.asp?P_ID=132
and was hoping someone here can suggest the proper lighting for this size unit , we hope to go with 400 or 600 watt bulbs , but wanted to know how many we may need for this unit for proper grow with it.

Jamie

[bongerstonerd00d]

Now, how are you going to deal with the heat the light generates ? Will you want a light that burns MH or HPS bulbs? Do you want to use a digital ballast which costs a little more to buy, but uses less energy so it pays for itself? And, a digi ballast will run MH or HPS. Thus you only need one ballast.

Or you can use conversion bulbs, but I dont know much about those. Thats not how I did it. So I never really researched it.

Those pots are most likely 18-24" apart. You are going to need an area that is at least 2.5x8 feet. Thats 20 sq. ft. How many lumens does a HPS 400, 600, and 1000 give? We need to know that to figure what is best for you. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest a 1000 watter which gives you 145,000 lumens, or 7250 lumes/sq ft. That will give you some real nice buds. They say 3000-5000 lumens per sq ft will do, but the experts do not agree.

You could veg with the higher Kelvin CFL's and use your HPS for flower only if you wanted. HPS is not all that great for vegging. Hmmm, I wonder why:D :D ?

If you are going to use an air cooled sealed hood, you need to bring in fresh air from outside your grow area, blow it thru your light, and exhaust it back out of your grow area. You will need two high quality fans in order to do this. Any HID lighting system will give off a great deal of heat that will become an issue within about 10 minutes of it being on.

That is the very reason many use portable A/C units in their grow rooms as well as vent thier lights to keep temps in the optimum range.

Well, you can digest all this and make a decision now. Honestly, the very question I just answered is all over the site. Learn to search the topics. There are many others here who can answer questions much much better than myself. But, my info is accurate or I would not respond.

b0nger

[mendokid]

Yup that is my vote.

Don't even bother with 400 watt lamps for flowering. You can get two nice balasts and bulbs for flowering and two conversion bulbs for veg growth. If 1000 watt bulbs are too scary then stick with the 600s. It gives you the most for your power.

[Opie Yutts]

Depends some on your area too. If those 8 containers were going in a 3 x 4 space, I would use 600 watt. If they were going in a 6 x 6 space I would use 1000 watt. I love my 600 watt digital ballast. So nice n cool.

Don't forget the big fans.

[chef423]

Now, how are you going to deal with the heat the light generates ? Will you want a light that burns MH or HPS bulbs? Do you want to use a digital ballast which costs a little more to buy, but uses less energy so it pays for itself? And, a digi ballast will run MH or HPS. Thus you only need one ballast.

Or you can use conversion bulbs, but I dont know much about those. Thats not how I did it. So I never really researched it.

Those pots are most likely 18-24" apart. You are going to need an area that is at least 2.5x8 feet. Thats 20 sq. ft. How many lumens does a HPS 400, 600, and 1000 give? We need to know that to figure what is best for you. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest a 1000 watter which gives you 145,000 lumens, or 7250 lumes/sq ft. That will give you some real nice buds. They say 3000-5000 lumens per sq ft will do, but the experts do not agree.

You could veg with the higher Kelvin CFL's and use your HPS for flower only if you wanted. HPS is not all that great for vegging. Hmmm, I wonder why:D :D ?

If you are going to use an air cooled sealed hood, you need to bring in fresh air from outside your grow area, blow it thru your light, and exhaust it back out of your grow area. You will need two high quality fans in order to do this. Any HID lighting system will give off a great deal of heat that will become an issue within about 10 minutes of it being on.

That is the very reason many use portable A/C units in their grow rooms as well as vent thier lights to keep temps in the optimum range.

Well, you can digest all this and make a decision now. Honestly, the very question I just answered is all over the site. Learn to search the topics. There are many others here who can answer questions much much better than myself. But, my info is accurate or I would not respond.

b0nger

what he said...Digital Ballast = GOOOOOOD. A 600w was 255.00, worth every freakin penny too. Light in weight, runs cool even on 2 weeks straight and longer, and it looks pimp, lol. Even have a handle on it :P

I dont see how anyone CAN skimp on anything when it comes to the bulb, hood, and ballast....again, better light, better bud.

Even Opie knows what up... ;)

[djsethall]

I have lways felt that the amount of yield is directly related to the watts per square foot. With a system like that I would go with 3 1000 watters. Two mh/hps switchables and one straight mh in the center of the other two. Use all three as MH for veg and switch the two outside ones to HPS for flower. I have always liked a full spectrum for flowering. Sunlight supply makes some pretty good ballasts and hoods. They make one hood I am fond of. It is a horizontal burn. Super Sun Reflector is its name. Real easy to make into a vented hood with optional parts. I always steer people towards www.stealitback.com under the home and garden section and in the commercial nursery supplies sub section. They always have hot deals. Anyways, 3000 watts at least if you want it to be worth your time. You are doing this right by researching and asking questions. Already props in my book. :thumbsup: Take your time to review everyones input and make an educated decision. For most peeps this is a major investment. To calculate your minimum air requirements take your width times the lenght of your room and divide it by two, that is the minimum in cubic feet per minute (cfm) you will need to properly vent a room. Have you investigated into Co2 enrichment? My newest venture will have a 265 cfm blower venting about 4 square feet by 4 feet tall giving me 16 cubic feet of air in my cab. That means the air will be refreshed completely 16 times per minute. Thats like once every 4 seconds. Wow, thats the first time I ever actually calculated that out. Anyways if you got more questions, feel free to ask

[Opie Yutts]

My newest venture will have a 265 cfm blower venting about 4 square feet by 4 feet tall giving me 16 cubic feet of air in my cab. That means the air will be refreshed completely 16 times per minute. Thats like once every 4 seconds.

Holy cow, what for? I guess too much is better than not enough, where ventilation is concerned.