Best light spacing for optimal yield

What is the best spacing of 1000W lights for the best yield possible? Mine are currently spaced 3' apart in width and 4' in length, I am thinking they are too close together? Read through quite a few threads, but haven't quite figured it out yet... I know the less light the fluffier/more airy the buds will be, but am looking for the best yield.
Should each cover a 5'x5'? 6'x6'? 8'x8'? I read very mixed things when reading through similar threads.

Lights are running in two rows, side by side so side lighting will help light things up.

only turn one on at a time and look at its footprint., and adjust accordingly.

Thanks bro, I appreciate the good advice. What do people generally do? What you mentioned? Guess it depends what your going for, huh?

I went vertical. If you're not ready for that kind of revolution in your growing just yet, notice that your HPS lamps have a filament that's long and skinny, like a pencil.

This means they throw light much better toward their sides rather than top or bottom, so I generally make my footprint about 3 1/2' to 4' wide across the top/bottom axis, and up to 5' long off to the sides.

That does make for a bit of a rectangle, but it's effective.

Not sure what size room you need but growing a lot of plants will increase the chance of you pulling a higher yeild and it will reduce the veg time

16 plants in a 5ft room should a safe bet, just not sure if a 1000w hps would cover a 6ft room
hope someone jumps in and helps u

Extacie said:

What is the best spacing of 1000W lights for the best yield possible? Mine are currently spaced 3' apart in width and 4' in length, I am thinking they are too close together? Read through quite a few threads, but haven't quite figured it out yet... I know the less light the fluffier/more airy the buds will be, but am looking for the best yield.
Should each cover a 5'x5'? 6'x6'? 8'x8'? I read very mixed things when reading through similar threads.

Lights are running in two rows, side by side so side lighting will help light things up.

Click to expand...

A 1000w lamp lights up a 4'X4' area beautifully. But naturally, the light diminishes towards the outside of that 4X4 area.
But when you have a row of 2-1000w's spaced 4' on center, the overlapping footprints from both lamps, make the outside light intensity(where the two footprints intersect), ALMOST(close to) as intense as if it were directly under the bulb. And of course, if you had another row of lights, 4' (on center) away from the first row, even better! More intersecting footprints
My experience(using a light meter) is that @ 3'-6" apart, measuring 2' from under the hoods, the middle of two 1000w lights is dam near the same as it is directly under the bulb,
But if you slam the lights closer than 4', how would you light up a 4' X 4' area(per 1000w light)?
I think it is a waste. Make sense?
Buy a light meter, and you will confirm what I'm telling you
4' has been my magical number for a long time