Closet and Lights

I plan on growing in my closet which is 7.5ft length, 2ft width, and 5.5ft tall. I will be buying a mh light along with a hps light but I can't decide on either a 400w or 600w for my two new lights that I plan on ordering from High Tech Garden Supply. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

What kind of venting will you have?

I run 2-400's each for a space about the same as yours.

If you can vent well...go with the 600W. If not and you just plan on an open door and some fans....do the 400.

I have a 400 HPS and a 400 HPS/MH conversion. Both from HTG.

this and 600w-btw go digital lumatek 600w


-pot

Use flor tubes. and raise them gradually......................................... keep them 2 inches from the plant on a 24 hour cycle. flor lights use a blue spectrum. i promise your plant will be awesome for its veggin stage then use higher powered lights.

Yea I already have plenty of fluorescent lighting I'm just trying to decide on my new HID lights. I don't really have much ventilation except having one of my sliding closet doors open and one or two fans. It seems like I should just go with both 400w lights and I'm liking the new digital system. HTG sells the hps light by itself, but in order for me to get a mh light that is also digital, I would have to buy the mh/hps light which is 50 more dollars. Is this worth it? Thanks

I'm going to be using the 600W with the Euro reflector for a similarly-sized grow space. I wouldn't recommend going digital though. They may produce less heat and noise, but you're going to be paying more for a ballast that will only work for 3-5 years and is expensive and time-consuming to repair. A regular magnetic ballast will last you 20 years and when it finally breaks you can get it repaired cheap in 30 minutes and it will last you another 20 years.

Just my opinion though. If you think less heat is worth the extra hassle, then go for it.

yeah but in those 3-5 years even if it breaks down then you have already paid for two more to replace it by the money you have saved ANNUALLY on your electric bill- absolutely go digital.

If not then in one of those harvests sell 2 ounces to a buddy, then you still made up your money



-pot

Ok well either way should I go with both lamps being 600watts or should I go with one 600 and one 400 for my grow space? Is it worth getting the Easy Cool 8 reflector or should i just get the Euro reflector? Also, do you recommend the AgroMax lightbulb or the SunMaster. Sorry I know its a lot of questions but any advice would great as I can't make up my mind... Thanks

plants love light, but you said you can perceive a problem with heat so look at it this way

you said you have 7.5x2 = 15 sq ft

600w hps from either of those manufacturers would be great @ 95,000 lumens

95,000/15 = 6333 lumens per square ft over 5000 is good close to 7000-8000 is optimal so imho you should do fine.

Reflector wise go with something that can be air cooled ventilated and has glass maybe get a hanging system as well or diy one with some bungees for easy raising/lowering of system.

If possible I would consider modifying a cart to house a 5000 btu window ac unit from ebay to keep it cool

-pot

potlike good theory but i would reccomend (the right sized) chain links instead of bungees just to reduce risk of breaking, and having your babys get crushed.

Alright well it looks like i should go with two 600w lights then, but if I'm splitting the closet in two sections, one being vegetative stage and other flowering, would having 2 600w lights be an overkill since the sq ft is split in half because of each section or will that be just perfect? Also, for light hanging, do you guys think that the sunrise flexi hangers on HTG would be a good choice? Thanks

You just mentioned 2x600w and also mentioned your venting capabilities earlier.

Stay with one 600watter try to get the best odor and heating ventilation possible and be sure to send me some of that smoke


-pot

potlike good theory but i would reccomend (the right sized) chain links instead of bungees just to reduce risk of breaking, and having your babys get crushed.

I like adjustable tie down straps, they are 3/4" webbing, they are simple, cheap, and very solid... I am not talking about the ratcheting ones, just the push button "thumb" release style..

Get a 400w no doubt, a 600 is going to be to much for that area. IMO if you have no plans of adding an AC unit go with the 400w. You can get a 400 digital lumatek and hortilux hps lamp with socket for 240.00 delivered from Maryland Hydroponics

My 400 is arriving this week and the 600 has been sold.

Well I've decided to go with only one grow light so I'm thinking 400w might be the best option for my space since the heat build up might be too much? Or since I'm only going with one light should I just go ahead and get a 600w? I just want to make sure that I get a great yield

you will be fine @ 400w

That means i need to buy at least 4 more 42 watt cfls... im at 21 000 lumens only.. its an area of... 2x3 6 feet high

Well potlike you make me really want to get that 600w just because I will get more light to my plants, but the only thing I worry about is the electricity bill being to high. What would be the difference in cost for my bill when looking at the difference of a 400w vs a 600w?

Well daddychrisg, thanks for your help because I have finally decided to go with a 600w. Although, as you stated that I should definitely have ventilation, what do you recommend for venting my closet? I already have one oscillating fan right now, what more should I go with? Thanks