How hot does a 600 w hps get?

Ill be planning a winter grow and I was previously using a 150 & 250 hps, placed side by side and some cfl's for sidelighting. I still want tighter buds and deeper penetration. Size mattere here, unlike in the bedroom....lol.

Joking aside, I want to upgrade to either a 400 w or 600 w hps/mh. I'm going to get the digital ballast type and save 30% on my light bill...heh!

There IS a question in here......Heat is not a factor with my 250 + my 150 together + cfl's. How much hotter is a 400 hps than my 250 hps = (my reference temp.- I put it 4"-5" from tops) and how much hotter still, is a 600 w hps.??? How high, from mature plant tops, can I get the light WITHOUT ducting it. I just want to use an oscillating fan across the tops.

Sigh......Please post and any help is most appreciated. So, which should I get, the 400 w OR the 600 w hps w/digital ballast???????

I purchased a quantum 600 ballast that is dimmable so you can run 300, 450, or 600w. no matter what setting you use you have to have a 600w bulb. I found it very useful as I only had to run it at 300 the first three weeks or so then I bumped it up to 450 for a couple of weeks and then went to 600w when I started to flower. I do have it vented though and I can have it about 6-8in away from the tops for 600w. I would imagine that if you didnt vent it it would be more like 12in. but the unit is very versatile and has worked flawlessly for me. If you look on ebay their is a guy on there that sells them in kits with the vented plug and play hood and a free bulb for around $300 I think is what I paid. I am very happy with it and so far no issues. its nice to save the extra money early on with the 300 setting.

polishfalcon420 said:

I purchased a quantum 600 ballast that is dimmable so you can run 300, 450, or 600w. no matter what setting you use you have to have a 600w bulb. I found it very useful as I only had to run it at 300 the first three weeks or so then I bumped it up to 450 for a couple of weeks and then went to 600w when I started to flower. I do have it vented though and I can have it about 6-8in away from the tops for 600w. I would imagine that if you didnt vent it it would be more like 12in. but the unit is very versatile and has worked flawlessly for me. If you look on ebay their is a guy on there that sells them in kits with the vented plug and play hood and a free bulb for around $300 I think is what I paid. I am very happy with it and so far no issues. its nice to save the extra money early on with the 300 setting.

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I went from all cfl's to HID's. First I got a 150 hps, then a 250 mh/hid and now maybe a 400 mh/hps w/digital ballast. I dont want to vent it so I think a 400 is fine for me.
Thanks for your response