4 x 2 tent ...10 T5's, 400w hps, or 600w hps

[OZZ_]

So Im downsizing a bit from my 4x4 tent and going to a 4x2. Main reason is its just me and my girl and I don't need lbs anymore.

equipment I have:

4x2 tent (I put the 4x4 away)
4' x 6 bulb T5
4' x 4 bulb T5
4' x 4 bulb T5 (so I have one 6 bulb unit and two 4 bulb units)
424 CFM 6" fan
400w magnetic hps
600w digital mh / hps
aircooled 6" hood
generic open type reflector

Currently I have the 4x2 tent set up with the 6 bulb T5 mounted from above and one 4 bulb unit mounted horizontally along the back wall. Ild really like to run these T5's for flowering and see how it does but I'm wondering if it'll be a waste of time. Keep in mind though that's 50,000 lumens that's not only going to be in very close proximity to the plants but its spread evenly throughout the grow space. Plus, since I have two units one above and one on the back wall light converges in the center of the grow area.

What do you think? Think it will do well? Ild be happy with 4 zips or so per harvest and I could accommodate about three or four 2.5- 3' plants in there.

Then again maybe I should just slap the 400 in there and be done with it? I could always leave the 4 bulb unit hung horizontally across the back wall for more lumens.

I do have that 600 too but I don't think.ild be able to squeeze that into a 4x2... probably a huge overkill?

I have three ak47 and a swt #3 vegging as we speak so this will be my first run in a 4x2 and I need to get it figured out.

what do you guys think? Can the T5's do it? That's 540w of em, 50000 lumens ... converging in the center and spread evenly throughout the space. 10 4' T5 bulbs total and most bud sites will be within 6" and as close as 1" from the bulbs, with light coming from two directions.

My main hesitation is that I suspect cooling might be easier with the 400 in the aircooled hood. The T5 fixtures really box in the plants and seeems like it will restrict airflow quite a bit. The 400... even if I kept a 4 bulb fixture mounted to the back wall... would allow airflow better I think.

I keep going back and fourth... any suggestions ?

 

[jm420]

I would run the 400 with the t5's as side lighting .Scrog or lst will increase your yeild and give you a better looking product.The problem i found using 400's is light penetration so some kind of training will cut down on the pop corn and loose fluffy buds .The 600 would be optimal for some nice dense nugs ,but heat would definately be a factor.

 

[OZZ_]

I appreciate the input. I tried a test run yesterday with the T5's, all 10 bulbs running with the 424 cfm fan running full bore. At 1" form the bulbs it was 90 degrees... about 6" from the bulbs 86 degrees. with the majority of the growing space being around low to mid 80's. Its surprising how hot those T5's get.

I decided last night to do just what you suggest. Im going to strap on the 400 and leave a 4' x 4 bulb fixture attached to the back wall for side lighting and Ill use 6500K bulbs for some mixed spectrum to the HPS.

Ill see what the temps look like. That will be about 75,000 lumens in that space although ... thats also about 600 watts being used.

I think Im going to do a test run all three ways. I might strap in the 600w HPS and rather then have it run as scrubber >>> light >>>> fan, I might have the 600 use a fresh air intake so it goes intake >>>> light>>>> fan>>>> exhaust.

Then ill use a second fan to pull through a scrubber and exhaust that as well. Doing this, I might be able to cram the 600 in there. Also I have an 80000 BTU portable AC in there I can set to keep the room temp at 70 deg.

More Tinkering is in order

Anyone else using a 4x2 tent to flower in?? What are you running??

 

[d3cryption]

I say stick with the 4x4 and 600.... Just because you don't need lbs don't mean you have to down size..... The extra weight can be cured longer, and you could run less crops a year... just keep some bonsai moms under some cfl's.... That's what I would do... but if you insist on down sizing, 4x2 and 400......

 

[ExcelAtIt]

Its funny you mention that spacing, that really got my attention. I don't deal with more than two tiny t-5's and two 400w's-- sorry I can't add much to the discussion as far as lighting is concerned. But-- I've been thinking about buying a clothes storage closet with about those specs, and maybe turning it into a secondary veg for an all out spring next year. I'm interested to see what you'll be doing with it; looking forward to your setup!

 

[Farmerco]

I'm switching to. 4x2 from a 4x4 as well. Whet did you find that worked the best?