super sun 2 in a 3x3 - not happy with it

[OZZ_]

Hey guys.... I've got a SS 2 in a 3x3 Dr90 and I'm running a 400. 424cfm vortex 6".

Here's my problem the reflector does a fantastic job shooting light directly down below it but the spread sucks.

Due to being so highly reviewed here I bought it but my main problem is that currently I'm running a 400 and with that fan I can get it like 4-6" from the canopy heat wise... problem is only the plants directly below it get any light. I have to raise it 12-14" to get any spread to the outside girls and its still majorly directed below the hood. I don't want to have to run a 400 14" away to get coverage though.

I do have a 600... and am thinking about using it... of course it would increase the outer perimeter intensity but it still won't be even coverage and that won't change with a bigger bulb I wouldn't think.

So I guess I'm looking for another reflector ... any recomendations? Something that will spread a 3x3 space from 6-10" would be about right I think?

I'm not really sure because then you lose some canopy punch too so I'm not sure which is better.

Any ideas?

 

[qupee]

I had good luck using the old-school Super Sun Reflector in a 3x3 with a 400w bulb.

The spread was good (the whole tent was very bright), and in particular the side ports on the reflector worked much better in the tent imho.

 

[Chunkypigs]

i would try the 600 bare bulb and see how you like it. I started running bare bulbs with the tent
as the reflector and liked it.

This particular grow was a fail but a bare bulb dangling from a wire
with all the ventilation equip outside the tent hoovering out the
heat and pushing into the filter gives you a perfect overall brightness.

I'll take the 600 over the 400 any day and your fan is plenty big.
I can't tell you what would be the best reflector for your tent...
I bought a couple used ones that work fine in my 4x4 and 5x5...

I like the security of having the bulb is a metal-glass box because it is hot enough to
catch shit on fire if it touches something unexpectedly. you didn't think your tent would
collapse under the weight of that carbon filter, fan, and reflector when the little cheap
assed chinese plastic corner brace failed, did ya????

Nice videos qupee...

 

[FunkBomb]

If you want a nice light spread without paying too much I highly suggest the Yieldmaster reflector from Sunlight Supply. They have ones that have air-cooling flanges in both 6" and 8" and come with the glass lens, socket, and lamp cord for a bit under $100.

-Funk

 

[supermanlives]

put a real bulb in it lol i got rid of anything below 600. except one 400 for memories. put in the 600 set hood at the same 12 inches or so and call it a day

 

[OZZ_]

Lol Super.... I got my 600 today in the mail but I'm telling ya... the hoods spread is the problem. ill be putting the 600 in there, but I still need a different hood. I'm thinking a blockbuster will do the trick nicely!

 

[OZZ_]

Actually I guess ill just stick the 600 in the super Sun and see how it looks first before buying another reflector. how far away from the canopy should I be? You think I'm ok at 12-14"?? That's about where I gotta be to get coverage over the whole 3x3

 

[Chunkypigs]

you will only know for sure at the end of stretch, go for it!

 

[purpLEsmoke]

I am planning a grow got the Super Sun 2 & the my 600w digital ballast,havent built the tent yet, would you guys say a 3x3 would be good ? i have read that it does well at 18"'s.

Peace !

 

[FunkBomb]

A 600 can light up a 4x4 area very well, so in a 3x3 it will be great. Just be sure you can keep the temperatures from getting too high.

-Funk

 

[Jnugg]

As far as hoods/reflectors go...square hoods are best suited for a garden footprint that is square in shape,rectangular hoods are best suited for a garden footprint that is rectangular in shape...but IMO the best hood/reflector is no hood/reflector and just going bare bulb vertical.Instead of having one 3x3 canopy like you would with a horizontal grow in a 3x3,you could use up a 3x3 area of each wall,that's 36 square feet of vertical growing space compared to just 9 square feet of horizontal/flat growing space.

But as others have said,a 600w HPS really shines in a 3x3 but is good up to a 4x4 but I would prefer no bigger than 3.5x3.5 per 600.

A 400 works great from 2.5x2 to 3x3 but I wouldn't go larger than 3x3 with a 400.

 

[dansbuds]

600 watts in a 6" blockbuster would be sweet in that 3 x 3 !!! 24" square light pattern on the BB is perfect for the square tents .

 

[purpLEsmoke]

Thanx Funkbomb, will make sure i got all the cooling calculations sorted

sweet jnugg rate ill go with the 3x3 , 3.5 sounds tempting although : ) thanx again fellows !

Peace !