Quote Originally Posted by crossfaceturk
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!!!!!!!!!
By the rule-0-thumb fir what'cha need to fill yer space... if you wanna git killa results, you need 210,000 lumens to fill that space (10K/sq.ft). Only way to do that without breaking tha bank would be two 600w HPS (for 180,000 lumens), or a 1k watt HPS and a 600w HPS (for a total of 240,000 lumens). If you're on a budget, buy the cheapest 1000w non-digital ballast you can, or perhaps a coupla 1000w digital ballasts.

For full-spectrum, try a 1000w HPS and a 1000w MH, which should top out at around 220,000 lumens, and should take you from veg to flower to finish...

JUst my :twocents:
CovertCarpenter Reviewed by CovertCarpenter on . 1st hydro closet grow questions and advice Considering NL hydro grow (Rubbermaid) probably 18 gallon tubs larger if needed, thinking maybe 3 tubs 1) How many plants would be reasonable to try to grow in a 7x3 ft closet with 8 ft ceiling ? 2) One 400w MH-veg/HPS-flower with cfl side lighting or 2 250w MH/HPS ? 3) Looking at Sensigro and bloom and 3 part flora, what's your preference ? Will start seedlings, future mother(s) and clones in seperate floro area. Rating: 5