Should I get two 250 HPS lights or a 400/600 watt light?

[whatoncewas]

Been here for a while, but haven't posted yet. Gained a lot of insight from some of the posts.. so here goes...

Just finished my first grow with a single plant and a 250 watt light, but would like to take it up a notch.

Since I already have a 250w light, I thought I must just buy another one and get a combined 500 watts of light and filter both through a cool tube.

Would this be effective or would heat still be a problem or should I just sell the 250w to a friend and purchase a bigger light, such as a 400w or 600w? I'm trying to grow anywhere between 5-10 plants in a roughly small area.

Maybe even SCROG to increase yields.

Thanks for the input, and happy gardening.

 

[THC_Decapitator]

get a 600 watt if you can afford one . you wont look back
keep your 250 watt for veg or a extra light , forget your friend

before you decide anything , make sure your power will handle a 400 or a 600 watter . and the heat will be a issue , you will need a inline fan

 

[Pseudo]

i agree, 600 flower, get a CMH for the 250

 

[FreezerBoy]

Depends on the size and shape of the grow. If roughly square and of sufficient space, go with the larger lamp. If heavily rectangular, such as a closet, multiple, smaller lamps are better.

 

[E.C.Hope]

Agree, 600. But from personal experience, you should look into sunleaves 4-8 lamp fluoro fixtures or any other light fixture for that matter. Use the fluoro for veg, no heat and keeps temp stable. Then put thme under the 12 for flower. Plus wit the money you can bring in with the 250 would be more than enough to pay for a fluoro set up. Best of luck friend.

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

Smaller lamps are often more efficient in coverage, not only in rectangle shapes as FB mentions, but because two lights can be height adjusted seperately. It's true that they're not as efficient in watts to lumens as larger lamps, but the complete transfer of lumens to leaf is the more important variable in the equation.

 

[OjoRojo420]

If heat is not a problem GO with the 600W.

The difference in finished product is worth it.

 

[MrBomDiggitty]

I'm using a 400w and I want the 600

 

[250wscrogger]

It really depends on the size of your space...if the space is 2x3 or smaller I would go with the 400. The difference between the 400 and 600 is huge! The 200 extra watts gives you another 40000 lumens over a 400 which is almost equivilent to a second 400. If the space is 3x3 or larger and aircooled properly, I'd go with the 600.

Another factor is the shape of the canopy... 2 250's will cover a 4x2 better than a single 400.

 

[VerdantGreen]

yep all depends on the dimensions of your grow.

 

[etinarcadiaego]

I run a 400 in a 2' x 3' x 6' and wouldn't change a thing

Good ventilation makes a big difference.

 

[greensavage]

go big much better product and flos are for low budget econo grows or side lighting want the best go with the most! you wont be saying i should of later... good grows to ya ~