Lighting question

[TUTIDO]

Currently there's two double bulb (80w per lamp) shoplights about 2-3 inches from the plants. I have two options for my final setup. Either one will be supplemented with 400w worth of single and double bulb shop lights on three sides of the plants. The shop lights will extend all the way from soil level to the top of the grow area. The space is approximately 2.5'x3'x6 (Haven't gotten exact measurments). I have two options for my overhead light as I cannot afford to purchase any new ballasts (all of these lights are free except the bulbs, which have all already been purchased.), either a 400w MH or a 250W HPS. I know HPS is said by many to create the best overall plants, but will the lack in wattage make it not worth it. Or is this current set up small enough that the MH is more than they can use. Thanks everyone for all the help you've been giving me, and sorry for asking so many questions.

 

[Garden Knowm]

Hi Tutido...

If I had to choose I would pick the 400 watt MH... It will be very very important that you keep this bulb as close to your canopy as possible (light proximity will dramaticaly effect yield weight).. 6 inches or less would be ideal... This will require proper ventilation and GREAT air flow...

Can you run both 250 watt HPS and 400 watt MH...?

good luck.. interesting... I have never seen this question before!!

cheers

iloveyou

 

[Guest]

If a couple 80 watt shopl;ights are all you have to flower with,I would go with the 400W without question,sure HPS may be a little better to flower with but in this case I"d say you should go with the higher wattage

 

[Maj.PotHead]

Hi Tutido...

If I had to choose I would pick the 400 watt MH... It will be very very important that you keep this bulb as close to your canopy as possible (light proximity will dramaticaly effect yield weight).. 6 inches or less would be ideal... This will require proper ventilation and GREAT air flow...

Can you run both 250 watt HPS and 400 watt MH...?

good luck.. interesting... I have never seen this question before!!

cheers

iloveyou

6 inches or less would be ideal

suggesting this with out the suggestion of having to run a cool tube to have this close, would mean death to the plants.

o good rule of thumb when figuring out the proper distance light from plants, is this turn the light on a hps takes approx 1.5-2 hrs to reach operating temps unsure about mh. when light reach's op temps place your hand carefully under the light and lower it to where it dosent burn your hand and feels comfy. if your hand feels comfy the plants will also honestly i cant hold my hand 6in from my 400w hps light shit is fricken hot. the closer the light the higher the temps at plants tops unless ya have very good ventilation {passive fresh air intake bottom, strong exhaust top}
here's a light distance chart saved from overgrow its a good reference

 

[TUTIDO]

Thanks. If I could run both I would, but there isn't enough room. The fixture is the top of a street lamp (acquired completely legally), it takes up a bit of space.

Maj. Pothead: sorry, your post wasn't in when I first did this. I haven't heard of the cool tube, what is that?