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Upgrading to 600W in my cab?

Growtastic

Growtastic

Member
I have a few grow under my belt in my new cab and I am just not as happy with the yields as I would like to be. I only grow for personal use and I do get enough for that but it seems I am almost always running out right as I am harvesting the next batch. I would just like to get enough saved up to take a little break I guess.. I currently run a regular old 400watt HPS with standard batwing reflector in my 48"x20" cab with no heat issues at all.
Here is a pic of the ghetto setup.




I hear that by just upgrading to a 600W light it would be like running 2 400's. My fan is a GroTek Hurricane 6" 630CFM and I think it would be enough to keep it cool. I was looking at a 600watt Switchable MH/HPS with air cooled reflector and digital ballast for about $400. Has anyone had any success with putting a light this big in a cab of this size before? I just don't want to jump in to anything I'm not ready for yet. Also, will I really see that much of a difference if I switch from a regular 400watt light to a digital 600watt setup?

Thanks in advance.
 
MTF-Sandman

MTF-Sandman

OG Refugee
Veteran
I ran a 1k in a 4'x2'x5' closet...yields were usually over an lb - best was right at 1.5lbs with a dialed in SOG.

Dunno about that 600=2 400's tho...what are your yields like right now and what strain? A dialed in 400w setup can easily outyield a 600w setup that's not....
 
Growtastic

Growtastic

Member
I've grown Super Skunk which is supposed to be a heavy yielder and only managed to 4oz under the 400 watter. I'm still waiting on the weight of my current harvest. It should be a bit closer but I still don't think I even got .5g/watt. Perhaps I should look in to a better training technique for better yields? I know the plants are healthy and under optimal conditions as they always look healthy and the bud is top notch. The only training I have ever tried was topping and it didn't seem to help much. Can the right training really make a difference and what would be best to use for DWC buckets?
 
G

Guest

if ya can beat the heat...and can afford it...why not. they say a 600 puts out nearly as much as 2 400's ...its better but not that good. hehe.

might have to air cool the hood, will help ALOT with heat,co2 could be used to run hotter temps (30C)..

tried scrog? works well in cabs and keeps a nice even canpoy


all th best
 
Last edited:
GZA

GZA

Member
I dunno, super skunk in a 400 should be doing better than 4 zips. I say dial in what you have and when you get the 600 you'll be better off
 
Growtastic

Growtastic

Member
GZA said:
I dunno, super skunk in a 400 should be doing better than 4 zips. I say dial in what you have and when you get the 600 you'll be better off
Click to expand...


Yeah, those were my original plans. I guess I am just getting impatient. I don't do any training of the plants at all except a little topping. Anyone have any good links with an in-depth explanation of how a SCROG works? Seems interesting but I am not sure how it would work with buckets.
 
G

Guest

take a look in some gallerys of scroggers by searching scrogg in the search field..i personally dont scrog i use bondage..lol
 
G

Guest

Growtastic..I saw your other grow and it does look like you have a GREEN thumb.,,Although I am currently using a 600w cool tube into my new cab..I used to use a 400hps.My second indoor grow I yielded 6 ozs in a cab smaller than a c13. HOWEVER..the ballast and bulb(Hortilux) were brand new.I agree with most others(too stoned to remember the names and too lazy to look)..that a 400w is plenty of light to grow enough smoke for yourself w/o getting tight between harvests. IMO..your light needs replacing or at least a bulb upgrade..AND..its a little hard to tell by pics but do you have your plants in a cab or what? looks like reflection needs to be retained a little too maybe??maybe I'm stoned..lol..anyway you'll definitely be stoked with a new light.
 
darrinjefferson

darrinjefferson

Active member
a 400 should be more than plenty growtastic. like you were saying, try new methods such as LST to create more budsites. i finished my first grow w/ a 400 right about thanksgiving..and this was only my 3rd grow ever, the others were under CFLs, and i yielded almost 10ozs. now i know they were different strains and what not...but the point is that you can do alot better under the 400. lst and see how it does..


late
 
Maddlights

Maddlights

Member
I just made the move to upgrade my double C22 cabinet from a 400 watter to a 600 watt Digital. My main reason for doing so was to increase bud density & light penatration to the lower branches. So far it is really helping with very sativa dom grow (Cascadia & Love Potion). I must also admit that I created a second flower space for my old 400 watter after a bulb change.
 
Growtastic

Growtastic

Member
Well there as another problem with my light...it was cheap. I bought the thing 3 years ago on eBay for less than $100 and it sat there for 2 years before I ever even used it. I'm sure the bulb is horrible and the ballast was used with a cheap bat wing reflector. I was ready for the upgrade one way or the other whether I got a new 400 or 600. And for only ~$50 more I went with the 600. I'm also picking up a new Hydrohut Mini cause I found them on sale for around $150. Still in the process of honing in my setup. I may use the old cab/light for a veg area and for moms.
 
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