BigJohnny
Member
I'm looking at setting up a small RDWC in my living room in a grow tent, probably 2 plants for now.
I'm going to get a 315W CMH, but I'm looking at two options:
A cool tube setup with external ballast or the "regular" CMH fixture with reflector and ballast all in one unit.
Since my tent will 24x48 I'm not sure which light setup to go with because of two reasons.
1.) Orientation, since it's a rectangle tent, using the all-in-one CMH would allow me to put the light perpendicular to the length, thus spreading light more widely over the rectangle area, but adding more heat to the tent.
2.) Heat. I have to run 3 AC's in the summer to keep my 3rd floor apartment from getting ridiculously hot and humid. Running the ACs typically keeps the apartment around 22-26C depending on if we have the door open, oven on etc. I think we're usually around 24C most times.
Using the cool tube I'll be able to keep heat out of the grow area better, but light spread may not be optimal?
If I use the all in one, I can still vent heat out of the grow area, but my confusion comes in where I'm wondering if I might need the added heat during the summer months when my apartment has 3 ACs going, but the temperature might be in a good range for the plants?
or the light may add too much heat to the small area and it would be better to go with the cool tube?
right now, mid winter it's a comfy 24C and slightly dry 21% humidity.
I'm going to get a 315W CMH, but I'm looking at two options:
A cool tube setup with external ballast or the "regular" CMH fixture with reflector and ballast all in one unit.
Since my tent will 24x48 I'm not sure which light setup to go with because of two reasons.
1.) Orientation, since it's a rectangle tent, using the all-in-one CMH would allow me to put the light perpendicular to the length, thus spreading light more widely over the rectangle area, but adding more heat to the tent.
2.) Heat. I have to run 3 AC's in the summer to keep my 3rd floor apartment from getting ridiculously hot and humid. Running the ACs typically keeps the apartment around 22-26C depending on if we have the door open, oven on etc. I think we're usually around 24C most times.
Using the cool tube I'll be able to keep heat out of the grow area better, but light spread may not be optimal?
If I use the all in one, I can still vent heat out of the grow area, but my confusion comes in where I'm wondering if I might need the added heat during the summer months when my apartment has 3 ACs going, but the temperature might be in a good range for the plants?
or the light may add too much heat to the small area and it would be better to go with the cool tube?
right now, mid winter it's a comfy 24C and slightly dry 21% humidity.