Cool tubes

[custom39]

I am going to build a cool tube for a 400 watt bulb (one HPS, and one MN)...Will the glass degrade the output of the light? I have limited space (room to grow maybe 7 plants) I will have good ventilation, and I want the lighting to be the best it can. Will the 400w be enough? will it handle 7 plants or should I just get the 600 watt bulbs?

custom39 Reviewed by custom39 on 04-17-2006. Cool tubes I am going to build a cool tube for a 400 watt bulb (one HPS, and one MN)...Will the glass degrade the output of the light? I have limited space (room to grow maybe 7 plants) I will have good ventilation, and I want the lighting to be the best it can. Will the 400w be enough? will it handle 7 plants or should I just get the 600 watt bulbs? Rating: 5

[custom39]

I have done so much reading about lights here that my head is spinning....What I think I am really wanting to know is for the above mentioned grow (7 plants) with two locations, one veg and one flowering, What is the right wattage? Also can you have too much light...if money wasnt a concern and wanted to plan for the future...What would you buy?

[BlueDragonSmoke]

with a cool tube set up get the 600w for 7 plants keep in mind 400 covers 4x4 area....peace

[LIP]

I am going to build a cool tube for a 400 watt bulb (one HPS, and one MN)...Will the glass degrade the output of the light? I have limited space (room to grow maybe 7 plants) I will have good ventilation, and I want the lighting to be the best it can. Will the 400w be enough? will it handle 7 plants or should I just get the 600 watt bulbs?

Glass absorbs light.

[custom39]

I understand that glass absorbs the light...are you saying making a cool tube is the wrong path to go down...should I be looking at the airflow in the room to remove the heat? Then just have the bulb with no tube just a reflector?

[turtle420]

Hey custom39,

Cool tubes... they kick ass.

Glass absorbs light... but, I would GUESS a very small percentage... go with the cool tube.

As to the bulbs, 600W vs 400W is a no-brainer... if $ isn't involved... go with the 600...

Bigger IS better. (unless you've got multiple smallers...)

Try a cool tube with a reflector behind it... that'll be cool... coooooool tubes! yeah!


Side-question::: does your name have to do with a '39 hotrod? Just curious...

Best,

-turtle420
.

[custom39]

NA.....My name ...I built a custom Harley when I was 39....ahh to be 39 again...lol that was almost 10 years ago....

Thanks Turtle

[job1.5]

the glass might absorb a little light, but you will be able to get the light much closer to the plants, so light loss is no problem. i cool tubed my 400w hps for about $25.

[custom39]

Where did you get the glass tube?

[Opie Yutts]

I've been scrubbing the web for glass tube that is 6" dia. The cheapest was about $65 per foot if memory serves. Come to think of it, that was hard to find and the only 6" dia. anywhere.

Does anyone know of any good glass cylinder sources?

I know some people use Pyrex baking tubes. There area a bunch on Ebay, but I think they are only about 3" diameter.

Where do these guys buy the glass when they make the professional cool tubes? The average joe should be able to buy there too. The trick is finding the place. I've searched in the real world as well as the web.