On the path to HID

[seeingthings]

Currently researching options for engineering a 250 or 400w hid system for my 3x3x7 tent.

Lately I've been looking into vertical bare bulb setups vs the regular vented hoods. Found myself looking at bare setups after seeing the hype of the 'vertical og' hood.

(Now, if I get a hood, 99% sure it wont be an og as the budget wont allow it. If I do get a hood it will be air cooled.)

Anyway, my instincts are telling me to grow in a circle around a bare bulb. Currently veg'n this way with a hanging 300w cfl in the center, lower watt around, and its working out great.

The only thing that worries me about a bare hanging hid is the risk of fire.

Are there any reasons to not go bare bulb? Is there anything I can do, besides use a hanging cooltube without reflector to mitigate this risk??

I've researched 'protected' bulbs but found that the 'protection' is against UV, and I don't want/need that.

 

[Gelado`]

As long as you keep enough space around the bulb, I don't think you have much to worry about as far as fire goes. You definitely don't want to get any water on that hot bulb though!

 

[soursmoker]

as Gelado said... water would be a BIG NO NO!

Keep the plants at a minimum 6" away from the bulb...

This next part is the most important though... make sure you have a GOOD amount of airflow...

not just a little fan on the floor blowing the heat around...

you need an exhaust fan that will exchange air ATLEAST 2x per minute...

you can decide if you want negative pressure or include an active intake in the budget... you will still need a small fan under the bulb to HELP push the heat up to the exhaust but don't think you can get away with just a small fan on the ground by itself...

if you have proper ventilation setup the fan on the ground should be on its lowest setting and everything should be A OK...

this is all speaking from reading and researching... have never grown vertical... but my first attempt is about to happen VERY soon...

 

[farmari]

400w or 600w HID with a Super Sun 2 (good bang for buck) with a tent that tall should work well if you go with horizontal just keep the reflector up high and the light coverage should be decent.