Flowering 600 watt hps flowering. Tips please?

I just switched over from the hydro farm t5 hpo's and 4 cfls on each sides of my 4 plants to a 600 watt hps system. I have no idea of how high to hang to new light, and I know its going to stay under 12/12 but any tips with the new sys. How high to raise it each/other day and how to handle hps from the original floursent system? thanks!!!

By the way its a adjustable light system, why would you need to adjust the lights during the 12/12, and how should I do so?

benmorgan236 said:

By the way its a adjustable light system, why would you need to adjust the lights during the 12/12, and how should I do so?

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600 watts around 1 and a half feet or 2 feet from the top of your plants. Put them first at 1 1/2 feet put your hand between the top fom the plant and your 600 watt fixture. If you feel it nicely warm means your ok, If it burns just go higher to 2 feet =).

Every day your plant will grow like an inch or so. So you will need to keep moving UP your light(s). And 12/12 is great for flowering. When you say is an Adjustable light system, you meaning what? Dimmable Ballast? Or??

Man, you raise it with them rope ratchet things, cheap. Easy lift up and down...I keep my hps about 10-12 inches on a grown plant, 18 on a seedling...there are lots of charts online...I believe after 25 inches lights not intense enough for good bud

As close as u can get it without bleaching and burning... I keep mine 10-12 inches..

theres a chart for that. (8"-29" away)

http://www.thctalk.com/gallery/data/500/HPS-Light-Distance-Chart.jpg

I use the long measurement to dictate where I lollipop.
Sometimes 8" on the top is too close and I get bleaching...keep an eye on it, and make sure you have good ventilation

you can also get an app on your smart phone that can count your lux.
that way you can measure the light anywhere in your room.

SeeRockCity said:

theres a chart for that. (8"-29" away)

http://www.thctalk.com/gallery/data/500/HPS-Light-Distance-Chart.jpg

I use the long measurement to dictate where I lollipop.
Sometimes 8" on the top is too close and I get bleaching...keep an eye on it, and make sure you have good ventilation

you can also get an app on your smart phone that can count your lux.
that way you can measure the light anywhere in your room.

Click to expand...

Mine sharing the name of the app? Is it for apple or android.

I like one on andriod called Rex Light Meter... easiest to read in bright light.
doesnt register the highest lux...but really helps to range your low end...
helps me keep my lower buds in an acceptable minimum range...

Whoa whoa whoa, dude your gonna have to elaborate on this app...how does it work man

qwizoking said:

Whoa whoa whoa, dude your gonna have to elaborate on this app...how does it work man

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its easy as pie.Just download app.Only prob is everytime you use it ,it goes to data base that keeps track of time,date,it drops a pin on the gps.There is a scale on the "smart phones" too.....OK,so I MAY be a little 'noid

How accurate is it? Did anyone compare it to a normal light meter?

Yeah it's a dimmable ballast, it can go from 50%, 75%, to 100%. Whats the purpose for half power? And you think one of these 600 hps lights is enough for 4 plants?

8-18 inches from the tops of the plants, gotta think about light penetration. i believe 600's have a maximum light penetration depth of 24 inches, and 1000's are 32 if my memory serves me correctly. as for the dimmable option on your ballast, those would be for running smaller plants or less plants and its also useful if you only use 1 light for veg and flower.

benmorgan236 said:

Whats the purpose for half power?

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I have used less than 100% power when starting plants in my flowering tent.

I ramp the power up, and the light down, as the clones/seedlings get established.

benmorgan236 said:

And you think one of these 600 hps lights is enough for 4 plants?

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Yup. Four well matured plants, to boot.

That is a 2 x 2 You could do 20 gallon tubs if you wanted to.

I am doing a 3 x 3 of 5 gallon hempys right now

I have done a 6 x 6 SOG of 2 gallon smart pots.

All with a 600.

A 1000 would get to the edges better...my tent (a shade under 5' x 5') is just
a bit bigger than my 600 handles. I added two Kessil LEDs.

Good luck,

JD

Assuming the air/water/nutes are correct, that the plant is healthy, how much should a 600 yield from a plant or 2?

I expect a lb all together but I run 8 plants expecting 2oz atleast..that's not maximum but minimum I would be happy with out my 600watt cooltube

You're doing 8 plants under a 600?

I'm doing 2 or 3, and they are as big as the lights footprint.

I go sog, its also perpetual so not all are the same size. But yea I fit 8, 4 foot landrace sativas, huge oz single colas side branching and all in a 2x3' or so cab...