cfl or 400w hps

Hello all. I'm currently finishing up my 4th grow. Using MG organic soil and shwag seed(100 dollars an oz.) I veg under 12 23watt daylight cfls and flower under 12 42watt warm cfls. Been growing 4-6 plants every grow just for personal use. On my next grow Ill be using DWC in a 4x4x6.5 grow tent. My question is should I upgrade to a 400watt hps for flowering or stick with the cfls. I've had good results with cfls but Ill be using quality seeds from here on out and I want to maximize my yeild. I only want to grow twice a year for security purposes and need enough yeild to last 6-8 months at a time. The tent will be equipt with fan and filter and all the goodies. Is it worth it to make the switch to hps or just stick with the cfls?? Any advice would be great. I love RIU and everybodys posts have helped a lot. I catch myself on here reading every free min. I can spare. BTW this is only my 2nd post. Thanx

hps...i think ...assuming you have a ventilation system ...im using cfls in 2x4x5 and it's just making a mess for me....or me of it. but i think the hps would work better for you during flower ......my next grow ill probably veg with the cfl's i have and flower with hps.. we'll see

ataxia said:

hps...i think ...assuming you have a ventilation system ...im using cfls in 2x4x5 and it's just making a mess for me....or me of it. but i think the hps would work better for you during flower ......my next grow ill probably veg with the cfl's i have and flower with hps.. we'll see

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I use both. Basicly CFL's to veg and HPS to flower

NavarreFla said:

I use both. Basicly CFL's to veg and HPS to flower

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Use the same here - CFLs work great for veg. Big difference when I switched to HPS for flower.

Just remember that you can keep cfl's alot closer to the plants and still have amazing results. Hps's get alot hotter and use more power and with that you need to have diffrent ventalations setup. make sure to weigh that into your decision.

I will have venalation set up. 4in. Inline fan and filter combo. I've had great results with cfls as long as I keepem 1-2 in, from plants.I've just heard so many good things from switchin to hps. Think maybe ill give it a try. I can pick up a 400w hps and reflector off ebay for around 200-300 bucks.

You can pick one up from HTG for half that.

You're not going to match hps with fluorescents unless you're using good t5's with individual reflectors. Even then it's hard. If maximizing yield is your biggest concern, use the hps.

yeah go to htg, i just got a 400 watt for 180 with the mh bulb and hps bulb, shit and even a lighter with a bottle opener.i'd still suggest using your daylight cfls for vegging.just use a lot of them.ive vegged with T8 flo tubes twice and the mh once.i kept the light as close as possible without burning the plants and they still stretched like a muhh fucker. with the tubes however i got nice health uniform plants, and didnt need a separate vent system for the veg room

Great, Ill check HTG out. I'm new here and already yall are saving me money. And giving me new ideas. Damn I love it here.
Thanx for the info

Josh27glock said:

Great, Ill check HTG out. I'm new here and already yall are saving me money. And giving me new ideas. Damn I love it here.
Thanx for the info

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No matter what HTG has great prices.. ..i've heard some people complain about their quality as far as reflectors or tents. But i don't know first hand. I want to invest in the hps. but at the moment i need to setup a better vent system and hope my tent can support the weight of an hps