Wattage question...

[WhoAmI?]

Introduction: The growspace itself will be fairly large, roughly 22x24. I'm restricted to 30 plants per script and I will have at least two scripts. The good news is that I have 100 square feet per script to work with. Therefore, I will be growing 60 fairly large bushes, in either stupid amounts of soil or some sort of DWC bucket system...haven't decided yet. But most probably soil, since I cannot afford to loose my first crop. So, all things considered I ask of you...

What's better: (8 - 1000W) or (12 - 600W digital)??

 

[MTF-Sandman]

For big bushes, go with the 1k's...they're cheaper (per watt) and will give you better light penetration. Plus it's alot easier to run ducting for air cooling the lights with 33% less hoods.

 

[Guest]

i aspire to have a room that size justa measly 600 watt hps for me..lol

 

[WhoAmI?]

Good point...

Good point...

Sandman - Good point in regards to cooling. However, I'm not sure how you determined that the 1k's would be cheaper to run? My average rate would be roughly $.14 per kWh. Not sure how to determine the baseline rate, since the power company charges their rates based on different tier levels (directly related to the percentage of electricity consumed over the baseline rate).

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Not really cheaper to run, just cheaper to setup initially. 600's and 1k ballasts cost about the same plus you won't have to buy an extra 4 hoods. That should save you at least $1k on the setup. Some people will say that 600's are more efficient electrically, but the difference is so miniscule that it's not really a factor.

You're gonna pay the same amount per KWH no matter what size lights your running...

You could run 600w (or 1k's for that matter) digi's, but IMO there's still too many problems with them to consider them a viable option for larger grows. Sure lots of folks have used them successfully, but there's also lots of folks that are having nightmares with them.

 

[WhoAmI?]

Sandman - Yeah, I heard about the nightmares with the 1kw digis (ie. AM/FM interference). Like I said before, can't afford any problems on my first run. I'll probably stick with what works for now. Also, what do you think about the cool tubes vs. the sun system air-cooled shades with the tempered glass covers?

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Personally, I like hoods for the better light reflection they throw...so I'd go with an air cooled hood like a silverstar or daystarAC.

 

[Guest]

I agree with sandman,go with the 1K's for what you're doing fer sure,the lamps are even cheaper.One thing to consider is the sun systems combo fixtures,I have the 400/400 but would die for the 600HPS 400MH combo.In fact,if I were to start over I'd get rid of my beloved vertizontals and flower with mixed spec sun system fixtures exclusively.It's the growbomb I shit you not,I've used my combo in flower and in veg,its now a permanent veg fixture.Dont worry about not getting the penetration you would for large plants like a 1K hortilux would give you,the 600 and 400W lamps are oriented tip to tip like one long lamp,bomb city I tells ya.