400w vs 600w

[skunktoker]

I have used a 400w light for over 15 years now before that I used the sun....I feel as tho I have gotten all I can get out of my 400w light...but as we all do we evolve and always want bigger buds
thinking about upgrading to a 600w digital I only grow about 6 plants
each grow and average between 2-6 ozs per plant my grow space is
2ft x 4ft..will I yield that much more upgrading to a 600w and does
a 600w light put out that much more heat then a 400w..would like
some feedback or advice from other growers who made the upgrade
and did you see that much of an increase in productivity .......ST

 

[darksith]

for the size of your space, I don't think a 600w is gonna help you out much. Im surprised that you can pull that much off your space already with a 400w. I wouldn't switch without upsizing the area.

 

[skunktoker]

space has never been an issue really..most of my plants average about 3ft tall normally I dont top my plants and let them grow naturally with some pruning of course of bottom brances for ventilation.. I have plenty of height my ceilings are 8ft in that space and ty for your input and noted...........ST

 

[simon]

A 600 is a significant upgrade over a 400. I could never go back.

Simon

 

[wdcf]

with a 400 is there really that much canopy penetration? I grow using a 600 and couldnt be happier!

 

[Guywithoutajeep]

edit:

I use a 600 in a 4x4 and thats supposedly the correct size for that light and with all the aircooling, filters and ducting I end up using a majority of the overhead space. I did consider a 1k, but those things run pretty hot.

If your set on getting a 600 I'd recommend a quantum. I think it is such a nice piece of equipment. I got mine off greners.com for about $205. It has an adjustable power setting, super helpful for small plants.

 

[B. Self Reliant]

A 600 is a world of difference. The intensity is much greater and will therefor penetrate deeper into your canopy. It will also cover your 2x4 space much more adequately. Your yields with a 400 are excellent, but the fact that the amount of light is directly proportional to the amount of buds harvested (all else being equal) is not debatable. If you use a 600 your yields will go up. You might not even need to change anything about your grow in order to make the switch. You'll just see larger & denser buds, with less popcorn near the bottom of the growth.

 

[PhenoMenal]

The only thing that'd stop me going from 400 to 600 is if the heat generated by the 400 was already tough enough to combat with your setup/environment

 

[B. Self Reliant]

The only thing that'd stop me going from 400 to 600 is if the heat generated by the 400 was already tough enough to combat with your setup/environment

exactly. . . the foot print of your garden is screaming for a bigger bulb, so unless the heat is already an issue, then there's absolutely no reason not to do it.

 

[Young Pumpkin]

One minor thought, and this (with the heat thing) nixed it for me is this. I can buy a 400w HPS at any big box store, about 22-23$. I have to hunt a specialty shop (lol) to get 600w. Site of nearest store to me is showing prices of 60-110$. I "try" to change bulbs every 6 months or so. I want to avoid the shops if possible and, along with the cost, nixed it. Plus buying 2 as I run 2 400s in a bit bigger space to flower.

 

[Go-Zania!]

I pulled 2oz off a 400w in the same 2x4 area. I was only using axial fans and an osculating fan for ventilation.

Im about to step up to a 1000w in the next couple days being that I have a 4'x4' area and an inline fan now.

I would say go with the 600 if heat isnt too much of an issue. You will surely see the an increase as the penetration is that much better and lumen output is much higher. Make sure you have the 600 further away from your canopy than the 400, but I'm sure you knew that already.

Happy Growin brotha.

 

[dixie wrecked]

space has never been an issue really..most of my plants average about 3ft tall normally I dont top my plants and let them grow naturally with some pruning of course of bottom brances for ventilation.. I have plenty of height my ceilings are 8ft in that space and ty for your input and noted...........ST

if you are growing 3 footers, than a 600 would be a very good upgrade to cover your plants with more, denser buds. you really need the penetration. i recently upgraded from 400+400 in flowering to 1000+400, there is a major difference between the plants under each light now, i got plenty of compliments before for having very dense nugs under 400s, i can't believe how much more dense they are now. FWIW a 600 is the most ideal size for efficiency, they have the best output of lumens per watt. it would put you at about the practical limit of your garden size right now for watts per sq ft. if you have a few extra bucks to throw around and don't already have it, some co2 would go along well with that 600, and allow you to let the temps rise a bit. i would even consider the co2 as your next upgrade instead of the light. even under 400 watts co2 makes a noticeable differencein yield and density.

 

[skunktoker]

Ty all for your great info and help..I will start searching for a 600w actually I think I already have an idea of which one I want but ill definitely research further once again
ty all for your help ..................keep it dank...........ST

 

[NiteTiger]

edit:

I use a 600 in a 4x4 and thats supposedly the correct size for that light and with all the aircooling, filters and ducting I end up using a majority of the overhead space. I did consider a 1k, but those things run pretty hot.

Actually, according to light manufacturers, 4x4 is the recommended size for a 1kw. 3x3 is the proper size for a 600.

For growing our favorite plant, at least 50w per sqft is the target. In a 4x4 area, a 600w is only putting out 37.5 wpsf, where as in a 3x3 is gives you 66 wpsf. In a 4x4, 1kw gives you 62 wpsf, and the heat really isn't that bad, especially if you're already cooling 600w.

Looks like you're due for an upgrade

To OP: Use both

 

[w.wonka]

nitetiger is right... u are getting some nice #s with ur 400 in that space.. if u get the 600 and are not going to use the 400 too.. i would get another 400 insted and use both of them in ur 2 x 4 spot.. w.wonka

 

[Troll]

nitetiger is right... u are getting some nice #s with ur 400 in that space.. if u get the 600 and are not going to use the 400 too.. i would get another 400 insted and use both of them in ur 2 x 4 spot.. w.wonka

agree... 2x4 is a much wider space for a 400 to fully cover. i seen another thread where a guy was thinking of upgrading by adding a 400 cmh. think that'll be better spec colors. but 600 is still a lower wattage use. i think a better ? is what will give it plumper nugs. i think the 600 will have a better penetration through the canopy than the 400.
if you have no wattage or heat issues 1000 would be the best.

ooo ya.... heat diff... i would say is anywhere from 3-5 degrees. plus the ballast gets a lil hotter too. and the light might need to be raised 6"- 12" but that's a maybe. overall if you can handle a 400 without any issues then you can handle 600.