How can 400w of CFLs compare to 400w of HPS?

[chronic1234]

How can 400w of CFLs compare to 400w of HPS?

I was thinking about using a scrog type grow, so light penetration is equal.

CFLS total lumens = 40,000
HPS total lumens = 50,000

Is this all that I am losing? Only 10,000 lumens? Or do CFLs simply not compare on any level to HPS?

 

[confused]

How can 400w of CFLs compare to 400w of HPS?

Or do CFLs simply not compare on any level to HPS?

Invest in the 400 HPS, preferably a good one (sun system). I've had mine for 5 years. Haven't moved up, haven't bought another.

 

[the 45 king]

Go with the hps, i'm using a cheap 400 with a batwing but still works great

 

[shiggs]

Bang for the buck. The HPS is still going to put out more than the CFL and it'll be cheaper in the long run. HTGSupply kits are cheap as hell.

 

[Pittsburgh Kush]

I love cfl's, but if you have the choice, go with an hps from htg supply.

 

[cktRAVEl]

...

 

[Tony Danza]

400w of cfl will probably cost you almost as much as a Hps. And if you need any penetration, you will want a HPS. However, I imagine a nice flat scrog under 10 40w cfls would kick a whole lotta ass. On the other hand, that many sockets and wires strikes me as a PIA fire hazard.


On the lumens thing, theoretically 40,000 lumens of CFL, should be superior to 50,000 lumens HPS as most of the HPS light is in a useless spectrum plant growth while cfls provide more of their light in good spectrums for plants. But that's just theory, practice doesn't always conform.

Buy the Hps, but keep some cfl around to play with.

 

[smoketrichs]

Go with the HPS. CFLs are great don't get me wrong, but they just don't have the penetrating power of an HPS.

 

[Maj.PotHead]

cfls rock for veg can and do flower some nice buds but they'll never compare to the penertration power of HID/HPS or even MH.

which CFL's are ya thinking of usen
1's from local hydro shop that produce the proper color spectrum 3000k for flower
6500k for veg

or 1's from local walmart or hardware store
42w=150 or 200w @2900 lumens @2700k
or 25w=100w daylight @1470 lumens @5000k

HPS burns in 3000 k color
MH burns in 6500k color

now when it comes to HPS 400w is very nice but i really wish i would have gone with 600 or even 1k. anything below ohh say 16-18 inch under the canopy dosent get proper lighting and ya wind up with alot of popcorn nugs unless ya cut them all off.

they say 400w hps has a 3x3ft foot print i wouldnt exceed 2.5x2.5 ft
600w has 4x4ft stay with in 3x3
1k has 5x5 ft stay with in 4x4
and ya will be very nicely rewarded !!

what are your deminsions of the flower erea ??? maybe we can help ya better equip your flower chamber .

heres a few links to read to maybe help ya choose whats best for you

400w club http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=21967
600w club http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=27129&highlight=600+watt+club
1k club http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=56770&highlight=1k+club

should keep ya busy for while

 

[chronic1234]

Oh wow thanks for all the replies! The main dilemma comes from price. Right now I am running about 300w of CFLs and its going great. I have one large plant in flower.

Next grow I was thinking about adding 8 more CFLs for a total 460w, this would only cost about $30. A new 400w HPS on the other hand would cost $150 on the low side.

So I have a hard choice to make, hmmm.

 

[dude06version]

cfls are also easier to cool, plus if you already have 300watts and cost is a issue than stick with the cfls.because if you cant afford proper equipment to take care of the heat for the hps than it isnt worth it..just train and youll be fine. also penetration doesnt really have to be an issue place ~ 3 bulbs or so
around the mid to lower range part of the plant and problem solved.. if you have fan leafs in the way just tie it to another fan leaf and itll pull it out of the way leaving nice big gaps for some 42watters....if you didnt have the 300watts already it would have been cheaper to just get the 400w and a fan...but id make it work with the cfls...

 

[ninfan77]

I'd use both

 

[Luckygreenhand]

Im just starting out helping someone and they got 260 watts of cfl's going. After the first few grows, we'll see what can be achieved with a sog/scrog type deal with that or 520 watts !!! Cant wait, i think if done right a lot could be produced.

 

[d4twamp]

Or you can just go here:http://www.e-conolight.com/Product/EProductDetail.asp?ProductFamilyID=7&FGNumber=E-MT6H151G and pick up a 150w hps for 20 clams...2 of these(300w) delivered for like 60 something bucks....can't go wrong with that....

D

 

[FRANKENBLUNT420]

go with the HID's dude, you cant go wrong, and youll need that intensity in the long run, especially if you plan to use both or just flow right into flowering from veg with the same light.

use the floros for clones and seeds and let the big boys handle the main stages