2 1k's or 2 600's?

[milehighmedical]

I have a 1k and a 600 working for me right now. I'm hoping to get a good chance to run a strain side by side now and see the yield change this round. I'll probably be switching to all 1k's for penetration after that though, although I see plenty of people grow trees with 600s.

I can handle the heat, but the power bill can be a kick in the balls. In the case if you're running 4x1k 4000w, instead of 4x600 2400w.

I never see anyone run those double 600w hoods w/ the dual 600 ballasts anymore. You can play with the spectrum a little more throughout, you have the efficiency of 600s and as far as a single point of light you can blow a 1k away.

 

[Hold Your Fire]

i run a 6 inch vortex on each 1k... why becasue i was so paranoid about the heat from the 1k i bought a fan for each light , not necassary but keeps temps even lower....

I too run a 6 in vortex on each 1000, will never look at anything other than 1000's for flowering again.

 

[sparkjumper]

Threads like this are funny and all too common.Most people will say three 600's is superior to 2 1K's under just about any circumstances.I can tell you I dont believe any if but a few of you ever flowered with 1K horties.They'll just use smart sounding phrases like even light distribution and all that rot.My friend grows with multiple 600's and I use 1K horties.I do much better I must say and replacement parts are cheaper and easier to get.The only reason I could see choosing the lower wattage fixtures is in matters of too much heat.Or if you're finished plants are only 2-3 ft tall.I wont flower a plant in soil that wont produce at least a quarter pound so the 1K's really help penetration wise

 

[Chewwy]

Thanks for all the feedback guys

I use a 1k now and am happy with the results,so i'll stick with the 1k's

My concern was heat because i'll be running 2 tents(4000w) in the same room
I've got a good sized portable a/c unit,so if the temps are an issue I can add a/c to the room pretty easily.

 

[catman]

3 600ws will pay for themselves over the 2 1ks from electricity savings and you should be able to grow more bud with the third light source.

 

[Lazyman]

29 and a quarter square feet...

• 2 600W would give you just over 40 w/ft2
• 3 600W would give you just over 60 w/ft2
• 2 1000W would give you around 68 w/ft2

The three 600s would be close to the same number of lumens as the two 1000s, due to the better efficiency of the 600s. The additional angles/points of light would also help with the penetration, even though their wattage is lower.

The three 600s would cost more up front than the 2 1000s, but would use ~10% less electricity.

The two 600s are pretty much at the minimum w/ft2 that most folks recommend, but it would certainly work if cost is an important factor (and it's not like you HAVE to use every square inch of your tent for plants).

Those are pretty much the variables you have to look at, from that you should be able to make an informed decision on what is best for your situation.

Very well put, and very sound advice. 3X600ws make less heat, more points of light, and about the same amount of lumens as two 1K's, best for short plants. Easier to get your grams per watt higher with 600s too (I know a guy who gets two pounds per 600W light!)