600 vs 1000 watts

fade409

Well-Known Member
some say that the 600 is a better go than the 1000. wouldnt the 1000 be better because its bigger? or is the 600 better because its doesnt put off as much heat so you can get it closer to the plants for deeper penatration? the room is maybe 4.5x4.5. i know you want more watts per foot but is there really that much difference between the 600 and 1000w?
 

Serapis

Well-Known Member
The 600w is better because it is more efficient using power. It is not better because it produces more light. So when you hear a 600w is better, they mean it's more efficient. Also, if you grow space is rectangular, 2 600w maybe better for you than a single 1000w simply because of the area of coverage.

Grow guides recommend hitting 50W per sq foot if you can. Your room, with a 600w will be using 30w per sq foot, which is moderate. You would be a great candidate for mylar, to increase your penetration.
 

Nullis

Moderator
He's right, dual 400 or 600 watt ballasts tend to utilize energy more efficiently than a single 1000 watt would. If your room is actually more like 4x4 = 16 sq. ft then 600 watts is ideal. Although a 1000 w probably does put off more heat, it shouldn't really be an issue so long as there is proper ventilation. Even for a 600 watt system you'll need some way of removing the heat in that small space.
You might want to consider a reflector with a built in flange and tempered glass lens. Among other things the lens will allow you to put the light a little closure to the plants.

http://www.who-sells-it.com/images/catalogs/1904/7825/ct/hid-systems-000001.jpg
 

fade409

Well-Known Member
rather i get the 600 or 1000 its going to be cooled tubed for sure! im also looking ahead to future grows. i can control the room temp with the ac and fans. im going to try to push the 50w per sq ft. im thinking im going to go ahead and get the 1000w.

serapis your LED grow is looking good btw!
 

Nullis

Moderator
It is a lot better to pull the hot air clear out of the room with an inline duct fan than to use an air conditioner. AC's use a hell of a lot more electricity than duct fans do.
 

MeJuana

Well-Known Member
I have a 600w and a 1000w light over the same area. actually I have 2 x 1000w and 1 x 600w.

600w x 2 gives you the ability to spread the light out a little I would think cuz a 1K doesn't really cover 5 x 5 of full grown plants, one 600w is usually good for the first few weeks in flower with my room packed full. But the buds that come from under the 1K lights is much denser and fatter, 1000w seems so much more difficult to deal with for me though. My plants can grow right into the cooltube with the 600w light, get within 8 inches of the 1K and it is crispy fried time.

Lots of variables man hope I helped some. I say 1K but it so depends on your setup, how long you veg for and how the room is laid out.
 

fade409

Well-Known Member
It is a lot better to pull the hot air clear out of the room with an inline duct fan than to use an air conditioner. AC's use a hell of a lot more electricity than duct fans do.

yeah the air is going up into the attic its not going to stay in the room. if i dont have to use the ac, i wont. i just have it incase i need it! thanks guys looking forward to this grow coming up!
 

nickfury510

Well-Known Member
get yourself a 1000w lumatek dialable and you have the option to run either....BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!problem solved..like a pro
 

Magnificient

Well-Known Member
I dream of a 1k watt light. I know I'd never get one, because 3 400 watt lights or 2 600 watt lights are so much better than a 1k watt light. Still, there's nothing wrong with a man dreaming.
 

MeJuana

Well-Known Member
I dream of a 1k watt light. I know I'd never get one, because 3 400 watt lights or 2 600 watt lights are so much better than a 1k watt light. Still, there's nothing wrong with a man dreaming.
How do you know? Have you tried a 1K light and now you are confident the 400w and 600w are better? I have both 600w and 1000w lights over the same system, where I listed facts about them and still didn't give a "matter of fact" answer to which was better. So I am wondering how you are so confident.
 
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