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29" x 49" = 9.87 sqft... Too small for a 1K HPS?

jordas

Member
masterkahn....a 1000w in a 4x2 area...sounds like overkill to me and big potential for heat problems....

I also have a 4x2 area and I run a 400w with an air cooled relector and my plants do great since I can get the reflector to within a couple of inches from the tops of the plants and have no issues with excessive heat.
 

Hydro-Soil

Active member
Veteran
I hooked up my 1000hps in about 4' x 2' and I'm worried it's way to small an area but we will see.
You CAN do this with the right ventilation and cooling but unless you have an air-cooled hood, you'll find it will work better if you take the hood off and hang the bare bulb vertically. I'm doing the same thing in a 4x3 space and by keeping the light close to 2' off the plants the light levels are acceptable. (I have a cheapo GH light meter to check with)

There's an insane amount of heat in there.... on level with the lamp (Damn infra-red) but the area where the plants are is nice and cool. ($99 Home Depot A/C + Stanley Fan and 6" ducting) Sweeeet!
 

Cannabean

Active member
Nice plan Hydro-Soil. I did a top-fed hydroton SOG under a 1k in my last grow using 6" botanicare pots (6"x6"x9") 3/4 filled with hydroton, clones started in 3x3 cubes at 28 pots per 2x4 table. I fed for 30 seconds every 1h30min.

I'm glad I found this thread becuase I might be trying a 2x4' tent and using my existing 1k hps. I don't see why there'd be any problems as long as the environment is in control and the plants don't grow into the light. Props to you for trying it. k+
 

Hydro-Soil

Active member
Veteran
a 2x4' tent and using my existing 1k hps.
I believe I've neglected to mention that this space is nearly fire-proof. There's a LOT of heat from the lamp, on the walls above the plants.

Definitely have it in a cool tube or some other sealed hood and securely mounted so there isn't any chance of it touching the tent. I don't have any experience with tents and I'd have to see one before recommending a bare bulb in in one.

As always, please be safe! :D
 

Hydro-Soil

Active member
Veteran
Ok, so things are running excellently well in that tiny space. Have come to realize that I need to come up with a better way to clean my hydroton. (Can't use tapwater)


Question I have now is on suggestions for turning it into a perpetual. Currently have one large res drip feeding 6 1.5gal buckets of hydroton in a tray. No more space. :( Anyone have any suggestions on how to convert a 1.5gal flower pot to a flushing bucket... while it's still in the tray? I know I'll figure it out eventually but being able to start planning now would help. LOL.

Thanks!
 

Hydro-Soil

Active member
Veteran
Don't hang your lamp vertically in this small of a space. Can't believe people grew this way for years. *sigh*

Essentially I have no penetration through the canopy and the only buds that were getting any weight were those that were almost growing up past the lamp. I rigged the hood on and the temps are just fine in there and the penetration is insane. :D




FYI I'm running VERY low odor strains but that doesn't mean NO odor. I had to cut vent holes on the box I covered the A/C intake with. The Stanley fan blows harder than my $99 Home Depot A/C unit does and I found out that the extra air-force was blowing smell through the A/C and outside! LOL I hung a sock with mothballs on the vent of the A/C on the outside and it's keeping the odor in check. I'm not looking into a carbon scrubber for the intake on the Stanley.
 
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