5- 400 Watt Ceramic metal halide/ or 4-600 watt HPS (Magnetic vs. Electronic)

[gardenlover]

I am designing my new room, and I am stuck!!! the room dimensions are about 7'6" wide by 9'. With the introduction of CERAMIC METAK HALIDES I think that using 5ea - 400 watt CMH (4 on the outside 1 in the middle). However if 4 digital 600's could throw more light with a lower watt per lumen cost I would be willing to ditch the computer system. and go with that setup. Or even a 2-600's (digital) and 2-400's (magnetic to run CMH).

I want to do some comparison grows and document using my different equipment. Hydrofarm Daystar AC vs. Sun system Supersun 2 reflector. Digital 600 watt Vs. 400 watt magnetic Ceramic meta halide. I would probability do the calculation by gram per watt but would also do some light reeding like Pico did in his thread. http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=51325

I currently own 2-Hydrofarm Daystar AC's, 1-Galaxy 600 watt digital, 1-sun system 1 magnetic ballast with reflector
I also want to figure in bulb replacement cost at about $40 for a 600 watt HPS ( http://www.growwurks.com/ultra-sun-enhanced-performance-super-600-watt-hps-lamp.aspx ) and $55 for a 400 watt CMH bulb( http://www.lightingsupply.com/CDM400S51-HOR-4K-ALTO.aspx ).

Other things that may be of concern.
Running a 9 bucket hybrid hydro system (DWC & NTFS) that takes up majority of the space with a few organics interspersed. the location has 50 F temps and higher humidity. I plan on eventually sealing room and running CO2. Will have 230V available. I will be running Chronic and a AK47 hybrid with Bog bubble.

I do not have the money right now to purchase excess equipment but will within a month or so to do these comparisons. Right now i would just like to get a big more light in there and i am not worried about RF interference for the first couple runs.

I AM LOOKING FOR INPUT ON BEST MAGNETIC BALLAST (400 WATT) & BEST DIGITAL (600 WATT). I ALSO NEED ADVICE ON WHAT SIZE LIGHTS AND CONFIGURATION.

Here are some pics of the current setup.

 

[mpd]

I have run an electronic ballast for years without any interference and mine was a cheap digital electronic ballast from China that wasn't even U.L. rated.

www.atlantalightbulbs.com has great prices on CMH lamps and conversion lamps. I have had great success with the Ushio line and the Phillips lamps.

You do what works for you...

 

[gardenlover]

Thanks mpd, I looked for CMH and could not find it on that site but all other bulbs look real cheap.

I just ordered a couple Philips CMH horizontal for $53 from http://www.growlightexpress.com/cer...amic-metal-halide-400-watt-horizontal-79.html

I WILL BE GIVING REPUTATION POINTS FOR ALL WHO HELP OUT!!!! I need some outside advise or suggestions please????

 

[dkmonk]

I would definatley say have at least a 250 hps along side it, I have heard mixed results about using pure cmh.

 

[smokesalot420]

I'm currently running 2 400W CMH as well as a 600W HPS in between them. I enjoy my meds and it's amazing to see the colors you get out of your plants in my set-up. I think having both lights makes it closer to what they get naturally (which is both, at different times of the day, right?)

I use a DR240W which is about 4.8x 8x 8 or something close to that. I only have half the space you do but if I had as much space as you I would probably go with 2 400 CMH and 2 600W HPS. If you want to see pics of my set up you can click the link in my sig (which needs to be updated) or I have an album of my tent and past strains using duel spectrum. Good luck to you!

 

[fatigues]

If you are mixing light sources when vegging, your canopy is going to be uneven when you flip 12/12.

CMH will kick the plants it's illuminating up a notch in veg. No other bulb will touch it. The SPD on CMH has the reputation that it has for a reason.

If you are willing to put the investment in and can live with the energy inefficiency of 400w vs. 600w, I'd go pure CMH. You'll yield more - and you'll grow 'em out evenly, too.

 

[Bonehead]

I grew some MK ultra and Flo with a 400 HPS and then a 400 CMH.
In my experience the CMH outperformed the HPS.The HPS increased the yield(more in appearance than actual weight)while the CMH increased resin and overall appearance.Just my .

 

[gardenlover]

ok, so from the input I am receiving from everyone and the pole results, it looks like the best bet may be to mix the light. And I understand what you saying about canopy hight fatigues. So I think I will start out with 4-400 watt magnetic ballast and one digital 600 HPS in the middle. I am able to move plants around ensure an even canopy. This way I will still have a mixed light source and I will be able to run my electronics if the digital interferes by taking it out and not worrying about having enough light.

I will eventually get some digital's to test the reverse, but that will be future down the line.

I am going to order Hydrofarm powerhouse 400 watt magnetic ballast because of the 8 year warrantee. Has anyone had any trouble with these?

Smokesalot- You have some great strains, and color in your tent, I noticed you said your tent gets some naturals sun. How much natural sun do you get a day?

 

[250wscrogger]

I'd have to say 4 600's all day because the penetration would be much better. Not to mention more lumens...
I run 3 600's right now and 400's don't even compare. 400's are just too small for any kind of serious production unless you're doing sogs with 4 plants per sq ft.

 

[gardenlover]

So 250wscrogger made me chage my mind at the last minute. i ordered one Hydrofarm powerhouse 400 Watt for the ceramic metal halide, and I ordered one (maybe two on accident) Galaxy 600 Watt digital ballast's. so it should be a total of 2000 watts for a 8 x 8 area. I thinks its around 31.25 watts per square foot.

Is this enough light ?

 

[250wscrogger]

If you could possibly do 4 600's and 2 400 cmh's that would be enough light to cover an 8x8. 3200w giving you 50w/sqft. I wouldn't suggest going any lower than 50w/sqft without using light movers.

I would personally do 4 1000w's over an 8x8, or 2 1k's on seperate 6ft light rails to cover 4x8 each if wattage is a concern.

 

[THC_Decapitator]

I have run an electronic ballast for years without any interference and mine was a cheap digital electronic ballast from China that wasn't even U.L. rated.

www.atlantalightbulbs.com has great prices on CMH lamps and conversion lamps. I have had great success with the Ushio line and the Phillips lamps.

You do what works for you...

nice advice , good info on the china ballasts

 

[JackTheGrower]

I'm currently running 2 400W CMH as well as a 600W HPS in between them. I enjoy my meds and it's amazing to see the colors you get out of your plants in my set-up. I think having both lights makes it closer to what they get naturally (which is both, at different times of the day, right?)

I use a DR240W which is about 4.8x 8x 8 or something close to that. I only have half the space you do but if I had as much space as you I would probably go with 2 400 CMH and 2 600W HPS. If you want to see pics of my set up you can click the link in my sig (which needs to be updated) or I have an album of my tent and past strains using duel spectrum. Good luck to you!

Oh I like that.

I have two 250's and one 1k hps and I think twin 4's + a hps 6 is cool..


The 1k here is a bit much. But I am not ready to spend for new stuff atm.

The Moral of the Story is distributed light gardens are nice. The outsides of the garden grow better.

So If I have 600 in the middle and twin 400's on the sides I'd like that a lot! It could be wider than 4 feet with those three lights.

 

[gardenlover]

well its kinda wired but i was hopping you would say i need more light to give me an excuse to buy more light

Dam I picked a bad time of year to setup shop. buying this stuff and presents!!!! talk about being broke.

So for now I am going to shoot for 4 600 watt on the outside (because I think I have ordered a couple on accident) and 2 400 watt lights.

So for the test i will be running I will eventually purchase 6-400 watters and 6-600 watter to run a comparison grow with only CMH 400 watters and regular hps 600 watters to see the different yields and type of bud it produces. Actually I should probably do 8 400 watters shouldn't I.

This first grow will be the combo grow.

 

[250wscrogger]

The extra money spent on equipment will ALWAYS be well worth the investment in the long run.

I will be leaving 2 of my 3 600's with friends and getting 3 1000's sometime this summer in search of more light lol...Equipment alone is gunna set me back like 4 grand but I'm not worried. I will be doing a perpetual sog vegging with a 600, cutting 16 plants and putting 16 plants into flower every 3-4 weeks. After a couple crops get rollin in I will be adding a co2 generator/controller to keep the co2 at a constant 1000ppm with lights on.

 

[gardenlover]

250wscrogger- If you are into the digital ballast, Galaxy just came out with a multi watt ballast. You can run a 400, 600, and 1000 watt from the same ballast! and I have had my Galaxy for 2 years with no probs.
http://www.daytonhydroponics.com/product_info.php?products_id=519 I haven't ordered from this place, it was just the first link that popped up.

 

[JackTheGrower]

The extra money spent on equipment will ALWAYS be well worth the investment in the long run.

There is also something to say about having old stuff to lend to a friend as well..

 

[JackTheGrower]

250wscrogger- If you are into the digital ballast, Galaxy just came out with a multi watt ballast. You can run a 400, 600, and 1000 watt from the same ballast! and I have had my Galaxy for 2 years with no probs.
http://www.daytonhydroponics.com/product_info.php?products_id=519 I haven't ordered from this place, it was just the first link that popped up.

Make them in Tri-ballast units and we have a winner!.

Maybe that would need 30 amps? LOL I have an imagination for sure!

 

[gardenlover]

I agree with money spent on equipment and tools! I asked for a stick welder when i was in 6th grade

And even when I shut down and started back up its great to have th option of adjusting wattage accordingly with the various lights I have. Its funny you mention the lending equipment to friends, because i was just thinking about the same thing! even though I would only trust/ help out a few really good friends.

 

[gardenlover]

So i just placed an order for 4-Sun System 2 reflectors with 6" openings.

I will now be able to compare the SS-2 Vs. the hydrofarm daystar AC! I will probably do one at 400 watts and one at 100 watts as well to see if one handles a cetrain wattage better.