Need more light for flowering.

[PotHero]

I am growing in a 2 foot wide by 4 foot tall space and currently and using a 75 watt compact florecent and will have 4 plants in that space. I have the feeling that once i start flowering ill need a little bit more light.

What does every one reccomend i get? i dont want to have to use a ballast btw.

 

[-ShutterBug-]

2'W x ??'L x 4'T. How long is the box? But with your already given dimensions I would say 250W or if you have the extra coin to drop on air, and a proper cool tube you could pull off 400W. For some better help you might want to check on this thread to find out what will be best for your dimensions. I don't think he goes that small wattage wise but will surely have some footprint info on a proper hood to choose for your space. Click Me

 

[PurplePotion]

2'x2'? 2'x4'? 2x2- 250W HPS; 2x4; 400W HPS/CMH

Just make sure you can keep temps under control-- very good ventilation/cool tube or air-cooled reflector.

 

[Daemon]

^^That sounds like solid advice.

 

[TGT]

Ya, a 250 CMH would be great, or even a 400 with proper cooling. The only problem is your going to have to use a ballast like you said you didn't want. You could always try one of those higher wattage Flourecents for growing, I think they are like a 250 or something? Anyways, you won't need a ballast with them as it is built in and they stay very cool. Should give you a proper amount of light, but to tell you the truth I have no experience with them. May be if someone knows the name of what I am talking about they can chime in. Good luck!

TGT

 

[inefectualize]

i am running 650 mixed spectrum over a 3 foot cube, some may say that is a bit excessive, but yeah you need more light...why dont you want to use a ballast??

 

[Floro Joe]

There ya go.Hang the shoplights so they face eachother.

 

[Daemon]

^^If you're dead set against a ballast then that is exactly what I would do, except I would go with T5's instead of shoplights. You can get two 2'-2 lamp T5's from HTG for around $140, plus a little more for extra bloom(3000k), bulbs. If you had one lamp on each side and the lights on top(as pictured above), it would be perfect.

 

[knna]

i dont want to have to use a ballast btw

Any decent light for growing use ballast, included CFLs. The difference is just that the ballast comes integrated in the bulb. More confortable to use, but apart of it, integrated ballast are all disadvantages (higher losses, less reliability, more heat in the room, you must pay a new ballast each time you replace the bulb...). Bulbs with integrated ballast are the less efficients of all grow lights.

You decide, but with a 2x4' growroom, to choose between a 400w HID (HPS, MH, CHM) and 800w of ballast integrated CFLs (to get similar results). A double parabolic hood (Adjust a Wing or similar) is highly advised for that room shape.

Other interesting choice is to use fluorescent tubes. You can use same watt of 4 feeter triphosphor tubes than of HID watts. It have the advantage of you dont need to use 250 or 400w (as with HIDs), but any point between, and you can use less tubes on summer than on winter (if you depend of out temperature to control you growroom temp). Far easier to keep grow temp between good ranges.

For example, 8-10 32-36w (4 feet) Reflex tubes (spaced 1-2").

 

[kbc2007]

I agree with knna.
IMO, you will need a ballast for good results. Otherwise it's all a waste of time.
Bite the bullet and get a 400W.
You will not be disapointed with the results.

Try a digital ballast. They're more compact, quiet and not that hot.
Plus you could put it outside of your 2x4 area, the cords are nice and long.

 

[PotHero]

My grow space is actually 4 feet tall, about 1 foot long and, about 2 feet wide. Its inside a speaker.

I have a few reasons i cant use a ballast right now. mostly because i dont have room to put a hot, expencive piece of machinery such as that in or around my tiny grow space. Also this my first grow, if i dont do a second grow i dont want to waste my money on a ballast. If i do a second grow i will defenatley get one since alot of you say i cant get great results without one.

But all of you guys have alot of good ideas. I have to go to my local hydro shop or gardening store to check some some stuff out before i start flowing soon. And i will put some pics up on this thread to help get a better idea of what i will need.

Thanks alot all of you.

 

[Dr Dog]

Basically dude, you get out of it what you put into it
Obviously you are gonna get huge buds with a bigger light, it is up to you to figure out what you can afford and what works best for you