Hmm, I am in CA also and electricity can really kill you here. 1000w may be a bit much based on my experience with electricity usage over aquariums.


Those Hortilux bulbs you mentioned look like just the ticket. I'm going to do more research on utility costs but even a 250w HPS is better than having to use T5s (unless I get 1000w worth of them, and then I'm back to 1000w power usage lol) or T12s or something.

Cooltubes are expensive for what you get. :wtf: I think that's definitely the way to go if I want serious lighting. I may go with a 250w HPS and try some grows with it. I could always go to more plants to increase yield, and I think if I can keep the light close enough to the buds I won't lose much potency as compared to using a 600w, or maybe even a 1000w.

Remote, digital ballasts are the way to go but they're expensive, at least, in my experience they are. A good 1000w MH set up for an aquarium is easily $1/watt after reflectors, cords etc. I may check Home Depot or Lowe's and see if they have any industrial type remote ballasts.

I could go taller. I've got two or three spots in my home I could use. It would be pretty easy to go up to 72", but I would have to give up about 8" on the width. Why is so much vertical height needed if I'm going to SCROG? Would 3 gallon buckets be sufficient? This would give me more room to play with in the cabinet.

What is DWC?


Quote Originally Posted by xcrispi
Hey M/L ,
As far as costs a 600 and 1000 are almost the same , bulbs too . I prefer EYE hortilux hps bulbs myself = enhanced blue / green spectrum for veg , yet still kix ass during flower . I don't believe in MH due to less lumens and running hotter .

I manage to cool 2 -1000w hps in cooltubes w/ a 6in. 630 cfm hurricane centr. blower . 2 1000w hps 2 blowers and dehum. running 20 on / 4 off = 180.00 a mo. on my bill - but im not in california like Weedhound w/ big elect. costs . A single 1000w. set up = prob 1/2 that to run per month .

36 -26 -36 sounds like my wife LOL . :hippy: I honestly would try for something a lil taller . I've seen 6ft tall x 30in wide x 24in. deep = c 13 pre fab'd wardrobe cabinets at IKEA , Homedepot , lowes that work great for like 100.00 . If your as tight as I am search Craigslist.com for free shit 2 . I can post a pic. of my old retired cab like this w/ a 250 hps in it for ideas on ventilation etc... I was able to cool it w/ 2 cheap ass 4in. inductor duct booster fans . 20.00 each. - but don't buy 1 of the lights likes in it w/ enclosed ballasts = they suck = you prob. already knew this by your remote ballast comments , you've been doing your homework - :thumbsup: Always draw w/ a blower - never push .

I helped someone build a 6' x 3' x 2' = c-22 cabinet last year w/ a 400w hps inside a cooltube only cooled by a 35.00 6in. 250 cfm inductor booster fan and he was able to do 3 - 5gal. dwc buckets in it and yield very well - like 3/4 lb. 1st try . <- this sounds right up your alley but in dirt not DWC .

The hobby is way way fun , almost addictive . The pursuit of perfect super killer buds that are as close to free as you can get . I've kept track w/ a cpl. of my gardens elect. , nutes , bulb depreciation , water bill , hydroton etc... My last N/L x Nev. Haze grow cost me $17.00 an oz. to produce . Im a reg. mmj user -n- will not / do not sell - but I bet it'd go for $350.00 oz. or better here in the ghetto . 17.00 sounds lots better .

Good luck -n- keep us informed
Peace
Crispi :jointsmile: