How much light you got in your 3x3?

I’m at a debate.. I’m running a 315 cmh in my 3x3 but feel I may need more light.. some say it’s enogh, some say I need more... I’m really trying to pull 3/4- 1 lbs... I understand strain, genetics, and I will be the deciding factors...I’m now thinking 9 plants in 2 gallon fabric pots...thoughts please!!

A 315 in a 3x3 is definitely under powered. A 600 watt HPS is a strong light for that space.

A buddy uses 1.5 of the SunSystem 315's per 3x3 and he's able to pull 1.25lb per 3x3. This was with 16 plants per 3x3, but I'd also have gone with 9 if it were me.

With a 600 watt HPS in there and a good grow you should pull a 1.3 pounds no problem.

Renfro said:

With a 600 watt HPS in there and a good grow you should pull a 1.3 pounds no problem.

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If you didn’t want to add the hps.. is there anything else you would use... I have my concerns with the hps... to give me roughly 245 more watts.. my 315 kicks out 355 watts at the plug...or what brand of hps doesn’t give off signals!!!

If you are worried about RF interference you can use a magnetic "core and coil" ballast. They have no issues with interference and they last forever.

If you wanted to add supplemental lighting you could supplement the 315 with LED strips, quantum boards, COB's to boost the weak areas (edges and corners). A good light meter would be very handy here, but it has to be a good one otherwise the LED and HID numbers are apples and oranges. Apogee MQ-500 is what I use. This whole solution gets complicated though.

Or just replace the CMH with a 600 watt HPS and call it done.

The CMH would make a great veg light in the 3x3, then switch to the HPS for flower. Or have two tents, one veg and one flower so you can have a perpetual.

My 315 cmh def won't cover a 3x3 .
As renfro said a 600 would kick some ass as would 300-400+ watts of cobs or leds.

Can’t lie... I’d hate to part with my 315.. just bought a dang 3100k bulb in hopes to flower better.. I’ll probably get a 600..or some type of strips to grab the edges...Thanks fellas

a 315 is perfect for a 3x3.

even EyeHortilux agrees:

OPTIMAL SETUP RECOMMENDATION*
*Optimal setup and performance measurements based on CMH 315 Watt System with an EYE HORTILUX 315 CMH lamp. Actual performance may vary. **The distance between fixtures should be measured from the center of the lamp.

and the spectrum of a cmh is far superior to 1960's hps tech.

Hempire828 said:

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what reflector are you using?
check out Cycloptics

rkymtnman said:

what reflector are you using?
check out Cycloptics

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Hempire828 said:

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-High-Reflectivity-Full-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Suspension/dp/B07J5WQQGJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=vivosun+315w+ceramic+metal+halide&qid=1573670826&sprefix=vivisun+315&sr=8-6

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the 315 CMH bulb was designed by Philips to be run vertically, not horizontally.

if you could wire in a vertical reflector instead of that one, i think you'd get much better coverage and results.
probably dont' want to hear that advice though. lol.

that PAR map on the cycloptics site is for a 4x4 too so the coverage in a 3x3 would be that much better.

rkymtnman said:

the 315 CMH bulb was designed by Philips to be run vertically, not horizontally.

if you could wire in a vertical reflector instead of that one, i think you'd get much better coverage and results.
probably dont' want to hear that advice though. lol.

Click to expand...

I appreciate the help... and may look into it... naw idk that it was a vertical thing.. smh

Ya I can't speak for all 315s only the one I have(vivosun sleek edition)

No way in hell will it cover a 3x3 optimally, according to my readings, 2.5x2.5 it does well.

I have heard others in the 315 thread saying theirs is covering 3x3 easily, so maybe mine just isn't quite as good as what they are using.

Yeah man that’s why I’m here trying to figure this out.... this all start with grow weed easy... galaxyhydro 300 now 315’s I’ll eventually make it to the qbs & hps.. just want some nice buds...see a lot of people doing well with them... maybe this is the dial it in part.. idk

if anything, keep the 315 above teh plants and run some strips as side lighting.