Need help deciding which lighting to go with in a small grow tent

[Ozai]

I am growing in a 30" long x 18" wide x 36" high grow tent and was wondering what would be better for lighting?

These are the options that I am currently looking at:

1 150 watt CFL bulb - Is this enough wattage? And can I get the right light spectrum stuff?

24" 4 bulb t5 light fixture - I believe it comes out to 96 watts total. Was wondering if this has enough wattage? Is it better than the CFL in terms of yield results?

250 watt HPS - I know this should have enough power. My concern is, is it going to generate too much heat in the tent for me to control?

 

[DevilWeedSeeds]

Have you checked out an LED? If you get a good quality one it would be comparable to the 250 watt HPS and less of a hit on the hydro bill for years. Also will be far less of a heat issue.

 

[Ozai]

I have no idea about LED lighting ...

It seems like the best solution for the long run. But how do they work in terms of vegging and flowering? Do I have to have separate fixtures for veg and flower? I understand saving money in hydro in the long term but how much do one of these things actually cost vs the other options?

 

[dudin]

Buy a dimmable 250 ballast then you Will be ok. Alibaba express straight from China. Cheap and good.

 

[BudToker]

Go with the HPS.
A 250w bulb will be fairly easy to cool with a small fan in that size tent.
Good Luck!

-BT

 

[testymctester]

I have 2 small tents about the same size in a perpetual micro setup (36x20x60). I use a 2 bulb PLL fixture in one for veg and a 280w LED panel in the other for flower. Not the exact models below, but very close.
PLL - http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTG-Supply-2-Foot-2-Lamp-PL-55-Tek-Lamp.asp
LED - http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-7-Band-240w-LED-Grow-Light.asp

 

[jcmjrt]

If low heat is important:
HO T5 -with T5s you really need to cover the plant pretty completely; it doesn't send light off the ends well at all. Go with the widest fixture that fits in your box. Maybe 6 bulb?

...and if start up costs aren't a big deal, LEDs have arrived for growing. You will have a lot of up front costs but you can save money in the long run from electrical costs and bulb replacements. There are many choices but I would look at something about 180 watts (an I'm talking real watts not just what the panel is named. Be very aware here or you will be burned) or possibly more...and you need to buy quality. A cheap one is a waste of money.

If start up costs are a big deal and heat isn't: 250W HPS is a good idea. You'll need a good exhaust fan and hopefully a space with cool air to pull in and replace it but it can certainly be done.

 

[rives]

My vote would be either LED's or PL-L's, with T5's coming in third. You would get much more even coverage over a low-headroom rectangular area with any of these than a point-source type of light, and the heat would potentially be easier to deal with. PL-Ls are incredibly versatile and work well in that size environment. I like LEDs, but there is a hell of a learning curve in educating yourself about them so that you don't get screwed, and they are way more expensive.

 

[Ozai]

So I have been doing more research. I think I have it narrowed down to 2 choices. Was wondering if you guys could give me some feedback.

http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Digital-Greenhouse-%20250w-Systems---250-watt-HPS.asp

First is the 250 watt HPS light. Just wondering if I use the HPS bulb for both growing and flowering?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180W-UFO-LED-Grow-Light-8spectrum-LEDs-Hydroponic-Plant-Pro-LED-Grow-Lamp-Panel-/271054428832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1c1a5aa0

Second is this LED light I found on ebay. Yes I do know that some ebay LED's are cheap and useless, but I made sure that this one has the 3 watt LED's in it. The seller says that I can use this light for both growing and flowering, because it has 8 band spectrum lighting or something. What's your guys opinion on this? Can it be used for both growing and flowering?

 

[Jnugg]

I vote 250w MH/HPS digi ballast with a decent reflector and a 4" inline like eco plus or can fan 4" HO coupled with a can 9000 for odor control...also checkout Ventilation 101.

 

[vukman]

So I have been doing more research. I think I have it narrowed down to 2 choices. Was wondering if you guys could give me some feedback.

http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Digital-Greenhouse- 250w-Systems---250-watt-HPS.asp

First is the 250 watt HPS light. Just wondering if I use the HPS bulb for both growing and flowering?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180W-UFO-LE...832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1c1a5aa0

Second is this LED light I found on ebay. Yes I do know that some ebay LED's are cheap and useless, but I made sure that this one has the 3 watt LED's in it. The seller says that I can use this light for both growing and flowering, because it has 8 band spectrum lighting or something. What's your guys opinion on this? Can it be used for both growing and flowering?

Hello, first off, yes you can use an HPS for veg and flower.

Next, go to Alibaba.com and look for LED grow lights. You'll be able to find that UFO there for cheaper...

Good Luck