Newbie Lights Question

Hey all. I'm sure someone can answer this question for me. If I buy a 400w switchable, can I stick a 200w bulb in there? Doesn't seem too crazy but I'm clueless. Any help would be much appreciated.

why would you want a 200 instead of 400?

BuddyBudStein said:

Hey all. I'm sure someone can answer this question for me. If I buy a 400w switchable, can I stick a 200w bulb in there? Doesn't seem too crazy but I'm clueless. Any help would be much appreciated.

Click to expand...

I dont think you can but I know how you can find out.

I would much rather use 400w than 200w but I'm in a limited space right now. This way I would be able to get the 400w and use it when I move into a bigger space, plus I haven't seen anything less than 400w that is switchable.

I read the article Widow, lots of good stuff but unfortunately no answers to my question.

Don't know what to say, my feelings are equally divided.

Is there no way of moving the light higher? That way you could use the 400w. 400w is not that much of a light, I mean you can get 6's and 1000's, more too probably.

How long before you get more space? How many plants you got. Have you germinated yet?

A 400w bulb is good for 18" above the tops of the plants. If I were you I'd investigate this before trying to fit a smaller bulb.

It's gonna be a couple years before I move so I have to make due with I got unfortunately. I'm only going have one plant so I think I can make due with 200w in a 2ft by 2ft space with roughly 4.5 ft height. I'm trying to go low scale to start with the ability to upscale without having to completely reinvest. Still trying to decide tween HPS and compact florescent. Finding a 200w switchable would definitely make my choice a lot easier.

honestly if your only goin to grow one plant itd be pointless to invest in such a good light...rite now n e way.you will be just fine with 2-4 compact floros placed REAL close to the plants,thats what i use because they dont produce much heat and i have about 6 females.just make sure theyre full spectrum. im pretty sure the ones i have are 1400 watt equivilant 45 watters. ppl say they produce spindly buds but my friend uses tube floros only and has some insane ass nuggets mann. but i dont really know im also a newbie to the cultivation scene

CFLs are nice to start with but the did make loose buds. not necessarily spindly, just loose

Could I maybe want the heat? I'm going to be growing in my garage and it can get a tab nipply in the winter. I'm thinking about pumping in heat during the time that the lights are off to make sure it stays warm eough. Thanks for all the help.

Hi Buddy

How cold will it get in your garage?

It is important that the difference between your DAY and NIGHT temperatures does not fluctuate more than 20 degrees. Drastic temperature changes mean CONDENSATION.. this can lead to mold.. If you do have severe temp changes, make sure you have great airflow in the room not only when the lights are on... but also when they are off..

iloveyou

belive me, its a lot easier to overheat a growroom then to have it too cold. your lights will produce plenty of heat if you let them

This is good advice Knowm. Air circulation is very important to plants health. We have two windows in our grow room and they are always open a couple of inches. The windows are covered with several layers of curtains and tin foil, and stuck down at the corners as we get heavy winds here this time of year, but the curtains are always moving, we've left enough room for air to escape into the room, but for none of the light to get out.

When we first set up we didn't even know why we were doing it, it just seemed a sensible thing to do. Maybe we thought it would help keep the temp' down in the room, I really can't remember. It was only later I found out that plants need a supply of fresh air as this is where they get Co2.