Air cooled reflector testing with Digital footcandle meter

[mrred]

looks like a street like reflector

 

[pheobo]

Tagged for future reading.

 

[SweetIndica2]

This thread is very informative, i even have it bookmarked because it's so useful. Anyways, i'm planning on upgrading my hood for my 1000W within a month or two, i'm just not sure what to go with. I need a big footprint since i'm going to have 25 plants in a 5 x 5 ft. space. so the Magnum 6" XXXL seems like my best bet, i love how big the footprint is and how even it spread light. I have a Xtrasun 6" AC Hood right now which has a big footprint, but i'm contemplating if it's worth upgrading to a magnum 6" XXXL since im using a 5 x 5 space?

The Super Sun 2 is also an option, since it's about half as much as the Magnum XXXL 6" but i figure if i'm going to upgrade i might as well go for the Magnum XXXL 6" because of it's large footprint. Decisions, Decisions....


EDIT: Pico, what would be a good distance to keep my Xtrasun 6" AC Hood at since i know you said at 18" the hotspots could cause light bleaching. I'm

 

[Trichmate]

I am woundering about adjust-A-Wing large or medium reflector?

 

[grizzlybear]

the SS2 still might be better for a 600w unless you were trying to cover a larger area with the 600w. Hard to say without doing a test, but if I had time to look at the data a little closer I could probably come up with an educated guess. Either one you choose will be a good one. For me, I would go with the XXXL for a 4x4 area or larger, and a SS2 for a 4x4 or less.

ok, but what if the area is exactly 4x4 (dr120)? sry to bring up an older post but i cant decide on which one to get and i need to pick one up real soon.

 

[cheesey]

Anyone know any UK retailers selling the SuperSun2'z ?

Boy our reflectors suck!!!!

I notice the tests were done using a square area but most the reflectors are rectangle although the tests are fair surely we wouldnt be seeing the best footprint for each light.

I know the tests haven't been done but assuming the SS2 is rectangle would I be getting better coverage from reflector lighting say 5' 3' area with 1000w bulb or 4' 2' with a 600w bulb.

Basically just trying to suck every lumen out the buggers, Im after the perfect coverage for the light lol, So then I can design my aeroponic units to match the best footprint for the light.

thankyou.

YES SUNSYTEM HOOD ARE NOW IN THE UK
heres a blockbuster





mine will be rocking a 600w in a 1m sq budbox

 

[Funkhouser]

unkie sam

Thats a PL open refelctor. Not sure where to buy them, but there is 3-4 different styles. They have one for square areas, one for rectangular areas, ect. Some will only fit 400-600's, some made for 1k's, and so on

 

[UnKlE_SaM]

any data on the Blockbuster?

 

[PhoenixJames]

Nice work Pico for the thread... All these pages have started to confuse me now though. I have limted space in my grow area. I plan on using a Secret Jardin DR150 (h)2m x (l)1.5 x (w)1.5, but i'm stuck as to which reflector is going to be my best option.

2 x 600w SS2
vs
1 x 1000w Magnum XXXL?

I don't want to go down the whole more lumens = more bud scenario, i already know that, i'm basically trying to give my room the best footprint of light (as well as more lumens) however the whole rectangular reflector vs a squared room debate is what is causing me concern.

 

[ITryToGrow]

Nice work Pico for the thread... All these pages have started to confuse me now though. I have limted space in my grow area. I plan on using a Secret Jardin DR150 (h)2m x (l)1.5 x (w)1.5, but i'm stuck as to which reflector is going to be my best option.

2 x 600w SS2
vs
1 x 1000w Magnum XXXL?

I don't want to go down the whole more lumens = more bud scenario, i already know that, i'm basically trying to give my room the best footprint of light (as well as more lumens) however the whole rectangular reflector vs a squared room debate is what is causing me concern.

I can share with you my conclusions.

After reading thru this whole thread a couple of times plus asking a few questions. I came up with the best solution for me was two Magnum XXXL's.

How this helps you?

Well, I have a DR300W which is essentially two DR150 put together.

So for each 150 section, I use one Magnum. This I believe gives me optimum footprint.

Hope this helps!

 

[PhoenixJames]

I can share with you my conclusions.

After reading thru this whole thread a couple of times plus asking a few questions. I came up with the best solution for me was two Magnum XXXL's.

How this helps you?

Well, I have a DR300W which is essentially two DR150 put together.

So for each 150 section, I use one Magnum. This I believe gives me optimum footprint.

Hope this helps!

Do you use 600w or 1000w? my original intention was to use a 1000 watter in the Magnum XXXL, However, due to the fact Lumatek have stopped manufacturing their 1000w ballasts due to their "unpopularity" I have started to have second thoughts.

Obviously more lumens = more buds... I'm asking myself would 2 SS2's with 600s side by side give me a better footprint than a Magnum XXXl with a 1000w in?

Maybe i'm completely wrong, but i'm thinking two SS2's with 600s would give me a bigger intense footprint than a larger diimmer one with a Magnum XXX?

Any help appreciated thanks.

 

[ITryToGrow]

PJ,

I use a 600 inside the Magnum, but I also hang a 400 vertically, so I have 1000 total (per 150 section, so 2kW total).

 

[darthvapor]

phoenixjames. In my opinion I feel the 1000watters provide more penetration into the plant so you get more bigger buds in the middle of the plant. So I guess it depends on what height plants you want to decide to go 600 or 1000. My 1000 gives me big hard dense buds, but nothing beats my 430watters for resin production and quality. but my plants are only about 2 feet big under the 430watters. my plants in the 1000 get up to 4 feet

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Do you use 600w or 1000w? my original intention was to use a 1000 watter in the Magnum XXXL, However, due to the fact Lumatek have stopped manufacturing their 1000w ballasts due to their "unpopularity" I have started to have second thoughts.

Obviously more lumens = more buds... I'm asking myself would 2 SS2's with 600s side by side give me a better footprint than a Magnum XXXl with a 1000w in?

Maybe i'm completely wrong, but i'm thinking two SS2's with 600s would give me a bigger intense footprint than a larger diimmer one with a Magnum XXX?

Any help appreciated thanks.

That's a no-brainer. Two 600w HPS lamps side-by-side is 180,000 lumens while a single 1000w is only 110,000 or so. Yeah yeah I know lumens isn't the plant light measurement but it's much more light than a single 1000w in a much bigger reflector. Absolutely go with 2x600w in SS2 hoods (can I recommend SolarMax bulbs too?) for one hell of a strong footprint. Plus you get the option to raise each light separately. While the poster above correctly points out that 1000w have more penetration, the multiple 600s will grow better weight on the outsides while only sacrificing minimally in the middle compared to a single 1000w. Drawbacks are more heat to remove and more ducting to run. If that's not a concern than I see no reason to go with a single 1000w over 2x600w.

eta: Wait wait...I just saw how big of an area you're working with. 4.5'x4.5' and only 6' height? Is that 6' ceiling height from the floor? If so, I'd probably consider the 1000w instead. If you were more like 4'x6' with 8' height then the 2x600w would be preferred. 2x600w in only 4.5' is a whole lot of light and not much height to work with either. You could probably pull it off with some serious cooling but stick with the 1000w.

 

[PhoenixJames]

That's a no-brainer. Two 600w HPS lamps side-by-side is 180,000 lumens while a single 1000w is only 110,000 or so. Yeah yeah I know lumens isn't the plant light measurement but it's much more light than a single 1000w in a much bigger reflector. Absolutely go with 2x600w in SS2 hoods (can I recommend SolarMax bulbs too?) for one hell of a strong footprint. Plus you get the option to raise each light separately. While the poster above correctly points out that 1000w have more penetration, the multiple 600s will grow better weight on the outsides while only sacrificing minimally in the middle compared to a single 1000w. Drawbacks are more heat to remove and more ducting to run. If that's not a concern than I see no reason to go with a single 1000w over 2x600w.

eta: Wait wait...I just saw how big of an area you're working with. 4.5'x4.5' and only 6' height? Is that 6' ceiling height from the floor? If so, I'd probably consider the 1000w instead. If you were more like 4'x6' with 8' height then the 2x600w would be preferred. 2x600w in only 4.5' is a whole lot of light and not much height to work with either. You could probably pull it off with some serious cooling but stick with the 1000w.

My room is a Secret Jardin DR150 tent... 5ft x 5ft x 2m(h) or you might know it better as 1.5m x 1.5m x 2m(h)

 

[justiceman]

Great Thread! I happen to have a Super Sun 2 and I am happy I got it since it seems to be quite the efficient reflector. I have a question regarding reflector effeciency though.

What would be the best reflector for a 600w lamp in a 4x4 grow tent? I hear the SS2 is good enough to cover a 4x4 and I used it for my last run. It did great, but I have a feeling that If I get a Blockbuster, or a Magnum XXXL 6" that My light spread will be more even since the hood dimensions are more square like instead of rectangular. Any thoughts?
Magnum XXXL 6" Dimensions: 32 1/2" long x 26 1/4" wide x 7 3/4" tall.
Blockbuster 6" Dimensions: 25 1/2" long x 25 1/2" wide x 10" tall.
Or should I just stick with the
Super Sun 2 6" Dimensions: 26 ¼" long x 13" wide x 8 " tall.

 

[Guywithoutajeep]

Another lighting question. I'm planning on running a 4x8 tent. Does the SS2 come in an 8 inch version or am I stuck with a Radiant? Also, will 2 x 600 Radiants work for the 4x8? I want avoid 1000's at all costs.

I did buy an SS2 and I love it. So thanks so much for this thread.

 

[og dmc]

Thanks for the info but all non pertinent info should be discarded, including my post. This thread is just to fucking long.

 

[Coco4Coco]

1000 vs 2 600

1000 vs 2 600

I see a visual difference in the plants under the 1000 w compared to the 600's. I agree that the light penetrates much deeper.
All are on the same nutes, same strain, same mom.
I am growing on 4x8 Trays. I had cut back to 2 x 600w over each table to try and cut back on power bills. I had one 600 go out and put a 1000w in it's place... Night and day difference

phoenixjames. In my opinion I feel the 1000watters provide more penetration into the plant so you get more bigger buds in the middle of the plant. So I guess it depends on what height plants you want to decide to go 600 or 1000. My 1000 gives me big hard dense buds, but nothing beats my 430watters for resin production and quality. but my plants are only about 2 feet big under the 430watters. my plants in the 1000 get up to 4 feet

 

[pico]

Lumatek 750s are really nice. I just switched everything over to them. 14 running in my flowering room. Switched over from twelve lumatek 1000w.