Quote Originally Posted by tinytoon
1) 3-4 tubs
2) if you could do 2 250w and the side lighting that would be prime for the choices given but if not on the side lighting then the 2 250w because of the amount of coverage
3) I use 3-part GH flora as my main base and GH suplements from there.
Thanks for your input.
Actually you were one of the forum members I was hoping would respond.

Let's enter a discussion based on some of the things I have learned and the setup and grow I have proposed based on some of the things I have learned from multiple members and articles on this site.

Hopefully others members will join in and maybe we all can learn something or maybe get an insight maybe we hadn't thought of exploring.

My example is 21 sq feet 7x3

I have read that a minimum of 3000 lumens per sq ft is required to sustain the plants life and at 5000 lumens and above is where they flourish.

I have also read that a minimum of 30 watts per sq ft is a general rule to follow for your room


Now 30 watts per sq ft takes me to 630 watts, 2 250 watt hids will bring me to 500 watts which is reasonable in the ball park

But on the lumens side 5000 lumens per sq/ft =105,000 lumens

With the average 250 watt MH bulb giving 20,500 lumens or a total of 41,000 lumens this only equals 1952 lumens per sq/ft for veg.

With the average 250 watt HPS bilb giving 33,000 lumens or a total of 66,000 lumens this only equals 3143 lumens per sq/ft

Which should I be more concerned with ?

More importantly, how many plants can I reasonably expect to grow with this kind of penetration and room/grow before I am just growing more plants than I need to be to get the same yields?

Secondly, is this really enough lighting for this room?
obviously side cfl lighting will help to maximize yield, but I think the reasonable # of plants should still be the same with or without it.

Thanks for any input.........hoping to get a benificial learning grow before moving on to higher dollar crop to benifit, well mainly me!!!!!!!!!