400 or 600 watt HPS?

[jdubz206]

I'm going to go buy a HPS system this weekend and this whole time I've been planning on getting a 600 watt HPS. After reading several hundred threads on here, I'm really confused as to whether or not I need that much light.

My flower room is 4'x4'x6.5'. I'm definitely getting a 6" AC reflector and to cool it I'm using the 465 cfm dayton blower with a router controller to slow it down a bit and control the noise.

Which light would be the best for this space? I see alot of people using 400's with great success in the same amount of room. I don't want overkill, I just want lots of good buds.

 

[herbal essences]

I use a 600 watter in a 3.5x3.5x6.5 area, defiantly go for the 600, and get a nice reflector with a good sized footprint

 

[Anghellic]

4x4, 465 CFM fan, AC Hood. Your all set for a 600 no problem with the correct intakes. If you get the 400 you'll always wonder what you could have done with a 600.

 

[AriesXX]

You could even go as high as 1000, IMO, since it's air-cooled. Certainly go for the 600w. You'll also want to get a conversion bulb, if you can afford it. A 400 watt would be suitable for a veg. only cab that size, for clones and mother plants etc.

What is overkill, BTW? If you're looking for the minimum ammount of light you need for a good harvest, then go for the 400. If you have no restrictions, always squeeze the most out of your space, you're spending the same 3 months or so growing your buds, so get the most you can

 

[Guest]

go for the 600 i have 2 400watt one mh and one hps and one 600 hps and i use the 600 to give me the best buds as far as compact and weight goes .i also have a 400 in with the 600.that way i use the 400mhx600hps giving me the 1000 watt mix spectrum.but i was told that the 600 is as good as the 1000 watt for certain spaces and yours sounds like the 600 would be just right.and the 600s do not put out as much heat as the 1000 watter .you can always buy a 400 down the road to add if you plan on exspanding.

 

[farmerlion]

600 watts

600 watts

depending on the transformer you get. the digital ones some claim they put out 95% of a 1000watt transformer. I am going 600w /w the upgraded bulb. the 95% is lumens

 

[Guest]

most 600's put out close to twice the lumens of a comparable 400, yet don't produce that much more heat.

simple answer, (as already stated) get the 600 because you have enough cooling for it and you'll get a lot more bud in the end if you do things right.

 

[HenDokuYaku]

Question for you guys, what about in an area that is 10.81 sqft and you already have a 400. Would you get another 400 to put in the area and run 2 400s or get rid of the 400 and put in one 600?

Thanks!

 

[herbal essences]

what your length and width and height hendoku

 

[HenDokuYaku]

what your length and width and height hendoku

4.5 X 2.3 basically 10.81 sqft and 6.5ft height. It will be around 80 watts per square foot with two 400s and both aircooled

 

[NiteTiger]

4x4 = 1kw

 

[HenDokuYaku]

NiteTiger,

That looks sweet. It makes me want to go to vertical, except that I just bought a super sun 2 reflector.

 

[FRANKENBLUNT420]

i say go with the 600, i am gonna build a cab 5x4x7 and i plan on using a 600 as well.

 

[HeadyPete]

Galaxy 600 and Osram plantastar here and no complaints, just fat colas!

600 watters are the most efficient and most lumens per watts.

 

[chosen]

Mr.Nitetiger, I actually use a parabolic 1K. I've always been kind of curious about people running vertical cool tubes like yours. How many Plants do you have around that light?

 

[NiteTiger]

There's nine in that pic

 

[jdubz206]

thanks everyone for the help!!! i'm definitely sticking with a 600 watt Lumatek. They've got them up the street (complete systems) for $325 + tax. $10 upgrade to Hortilux bulb.

Herbal Essences,

You said to get a good reflector. Is there any you specifically recommend? Or even a size you recommend?

I was thinking about going with the Valubrite AC... I can always upgrade later or whatever...

Expect a grow thread soon!

 

[herbal essences]

Hmm, well I like the one I have lol, I'm not totally sure what it is I can check this weekend and I'll get back to you, here's a picture of it tho..

 

[NiteTiger]

jdubz - just for reference, you can get a 600w ballast kit for $105, 1kw for $109. Figure 50 bucks for a bulb, and you're spending half the money.

Don't waste money on hype.

 

[HeadyPete]

Here is a great thread testing and comparing most of the popular reflectors: http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=51325&page=1&pp=15