600 or 1000?

I am building a room 6'w X 8'l X 5.5h and will be using 2 4x4 ebb and flow trays. Growing method is Sea of Green. 16 plants per tray. My question is, how much of a difference would i actually see with the 1000 over the 600? I will be puttin the lights in air cooled reflectors with a 6" 440 cfm fan. Im also gonna purchase a a/c too so heat shouldnt be a problem. Is the 1000 really worth the extra cash for the lights and the electricity bill?

Yes, it is. By about 30% yield greater.

but for the same electricity you could run 2 600 watts instead of one one thousand. just a thought

I think the first question should be: how are you going to fit 2 4X4 tables in a 6X8 room?

4X4 table are more like 52"X52" with the lip and overhang. You won't have any room to move and won't be able to get your reservoirs out to change them.


Other than that, I find I get more flexibility with the 600W. I have similar low ceilings and 1000W are just a little too powerful. By the time you account for the height of the reservoir, the table, the pots and the lights there is not much room for the plants. I think a 1000W is too much with your limited height.

Philo2 said:

I think the first question should be: how are you going to fit 2 4X4 tables in a 6X8 room?

4X4 table are more like 52"X52" with the lip and overhang. You won't have any room to move and won't be able to get your reservoirs out to change them.


Other than that, I find I get more flexibility with the 600W. I have similar low ceilings and 1000W are just a little too powerful. By the time you account for the height of the reservoir, the table, the pots and the lights there is not much room for the plants. I think a 1000W is too much with your limited height.

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very good point... but i would go wit the 1000's way better yeild

dgk4life said:

very good point... but i would go wit the 1000's way better yeild

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Not if your plants are burnt to shit from the light.

I Traded all my 1000's for 600's ! Alot less heat, Less $$$ On elec bill and also as productive since you can put 2x more.

well the lights r gonna be air cooled... so y would they get burnt if he is doin a sog? i went from 2 600 watt hps in 2 4 ft parabolic non air cooled reflectors to 2 1000 watt quantum dimmable ballasts in same reflectors.. no heat issue really to speak of .. i also have profilter 75 carbon filter run wit a 6" vortex fan that exchanges the air in my room 2x a min along wit two fans blowin right over the canopy .. and the lights r kept only 10 inches from canopy.. no problems wit burning

Yeah i figure heat really shouldnt be an issue. Even in summer time the area where this will be located stays cool. And about the 4x4 tables not fitting i will add a cuple extra inches to the room to compensate for the trays being a lil bigger. Also the 2 trays will be agains the wall so i will have another 2 feet infront of the trays to move stuff around and whatnot. Also anyone know how tall a econojet with bench system is?

or a 600 and a light mover..

Hmm maybe even a 1000 and a light mover... Do they have light movers that only move back and forth? The only one i've ever saw was one that went all the way around a track. Im only growing in a 4x8 footprint so for it to go around a track would be pointless. Any suggestions?

Listen to these guys. They know that of which they speak!!!
The 600w lights are FAR more flexible and efficient than 1k lights. Unless you have a warehouse sized growroom, and air-cooled hoods, 1k lights are heat producing BEASTS.
I went from six 400w lights to 8 1k lights (Got some great deals on them), but If I had my 'druthers, I'd druther have 16 600w lights than 8 1k lights.
However...you just cant beat the sheer brute strength canopy penetration of a 1k HPS tho...No more tiny "popcorn". I was truly amazed.

Mr.Organic said:

but for the same electricity you could run 2 600 watts instead of one one thousand. just a thought

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dgk4life said:

very good point... but i would go wit the 1000's way better yeild

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MOBee said:

I Traded all my 1000's for 600's ! Alot less heat, Less $$$ On elec bill and also as productive since you can put 2x more.

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lazypothead420 said:

Hmm maybe even a 1000 and a light mover... Do they have light movers that only move back and forth? The only one i've ever saw was one that went all the way around a track. Im only growing in a 4x8 footprint so for it to go around a track would be pointless. Any suggestions?

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thelastpirate said:

Listen to these guys. They know that of which they speak!!!
The 600w lights are FAR more flexible and efficient than 1k lights. Unless you have a warehouse sized growroom, and air-cooled hoods, 1k lights are heat producing BEASTS.
I went from six 400w lights to 8 1k lights (Got some great deals on them), but If I had my 'druthers, I'd druther have 16 600w lights than 8 1k lights.
However...you just cant beat the sheer brute strength canopy penetration of a 1k HPS tho...No more tiny "popcorn". I was truly amazed.

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I say if you are confident to deal with the heat get the 1000. Noone has mentioned also that 2x the lights means replacing 2 bulbs instead of one, and what's worse, 2 ballasts if they both eventually break.

up to you i went with 1000's first then found out 600 are better in the end but its all about what YOU like

Calijuana said:

I say if you are confident to deal with the heat get the 1000. Noone has mentioned also that 2x the lights means replacing 2 bulbs instead of one, and what's worse, 2 ballasts if they both eventually break.

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thats true! each his own

Calijuana said:

I say if you are confident to deal with the heat get the 1000. Noone has mentioned also that 2x the lights means replacing 2 bulbs instead of one, and what's worse, 2 ballasts if they both eventually break.

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Also the cost of 4 600's would be a more then buying 2 1000's. Plus i want to air cool all my lights so i'd have to buy another fan and more ducting. Dont get me wrong i'd love to have 4 600's but i think i'd have even more heat then the 2. Wait.. 3 would be ideal. The 2 trays are gonna be right next to eachother so i can actually put a light every 2.5 feet or so. Would a 2.5x4 footprint be good for a 600? I've never used a hid for growing until now so forgive me im a noob when it comes to these lights. Doesnt hid lighting light up certain areas more? How would i position these lights in a row so it would cover the 4ft width of the trays?

2 600s would be ur best bet... yes they have light rails.. i have 1 but havent set it up yet.. u can get 1 for like 139(without the rail) at "horticultrue source" jus google it.. they got great prices on lotsa stuff... if ur gonna go with the light rail ide take the 1000

Anyone have any experiences with a 4x4 table, sog with a 600? Also the room is actually 6x8.5 so i'd be covering that much area with light. I also like the looks of the lumatek 1000 dimmable ballast's.

lazypothead420 said:

Anyone have any experiences with a 4x4 table, sog with a 600? Also the room is actually 6x8.5 so i'd be covering that much area with light. I also like the looks of the lumatek 1000 dimmable ballast's.

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with a 1 table sog ur gonna have probs... it can be done but each stage is gonna need diff amounts of ppm's.. ur either gonna burn young 1s or theold 1s will not get enuff... how u gonna flush the 1's to be plucked??? i thought about this ad soon realized it was too much hassels... u got the table yet???

I guess u didnt read the whole thread... 2 4x4 tables is what im using.