I got options, what you all think?

Cory and trevor

Cory and trevor

Well-Known Member
I have a 1K switchable balast I flower with. I have a 400 watt hps balast I veg from week 2 to 5 (I transplant to 5 galon pots before I put them under the 400 watt) I have some nice flo's for clone seed and week 1/2. Here is the question; I'm trying to upgrade slightly. should I push the 400 into flower and get a switchable 600 for veg, maybe get another 1K hps to flower with and leave the rest the same? any other combo you can think of. I do a perpetual grow that's about 3 weeks apart per cycle and 2-3 plants per cycle. Wondering what you'd all do in this spot. I only have 1 patients worth of plants at a given time but 3 card holders beggin for me to CG and can't seem to stop the flow of "hey dude....room for one more" I tried geting out but seriously feeding frenzy when I spark one so I'm going back to cargeing with extreme caution. thanks ahead of time, look forward to the input.:leaf:
 
Cory and trevor

Cory and trevor

Well-Known Member
Plant numbers don't concern me, the equation I look at is grams per watt and I need more watts! I want to buy 1 more HID and I'm wondering what everyone thinks is the most bang for buck with this scenario. The flou's I got won't support growth to the veg size I go to. curently.
 
Trichyn9ne

Trichyn9ne

Well-Known Member
I'd say if your doing perpetual that the 400 is enough to veg several plants. I keep 8 in veg under a 400 but I have 2 sets of 4 that are 4 weeks apart. If you need more gpw then I'd drop another 600w in flowering room! just keep vegging 4 at a time. just keep moving the 4 on down the train. So from floros to 400 veg then to 600w flower then 1k w flower for the last 4 weeks. I don't know if that makes since...but you should have 4 under each light at all stages.
 
Cory and trevor

Cory and trevor

Well-Known Member
Trichyn9ne said:
I'd say if your doing perpetual that the 400 is enough to veg several plants. I keep 8 in veg under a 400 but I have 2 sets of 4 that are 4 weeks apart. If you need more gpw then I'd drop another 600w in flowering room! just keep vegging 4 at a time. just keep moving the 4 on down the train. So from floros to 400 veg then to 600w flower then 1k w flower for the last 4 weeks. I don't know if that makes since...but you should have 4 under each light at all stages.
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that was my thinking. kills me that I didn't get a switchable 400 back in the day then I wouldn't even be asking. perfect world that 400 would be MH or switchable. Thanks dude
 
gladstoned

gladstoned

Well-Known Member
Cory, this is 2012 calling you. buy 1000's and lets provide top notch meds for medical patients. give me a call or email me brother. you are 100% true to the game and honest. I do not think you should be buying 400's. You get it. Grow dude.
 
Trichyn9ne

Trichyn9ne

Well-Known Member
No Prob Bob! And don't be fooled. You can grow A grade meds with 400s. Need proof just check out my journal.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
Cory and trevor said:
Plant numbers don't concern me, the equation I look at is grams per watt and I need more watts! I want to buy 1 more HID and I'm wondering what everyone thinks is the most bang for buck with this scenario. The flou's I got won't support growth to the veg size I go to. curently.
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I think the best bang for the buck comes from 600"s..as in, I'd prefer 3 600's over 2 1000"s. Even though I'm giving up 200w, I'm gaining footprint, points of light, and can get the lights closer to the plants due to less heat..just an opinion.
 
Timmahh

Timmahh

Well-Known Member
Cory and trevor said:
I have a 1K switchable balast I flower with. I have a 400 watt hps balast I veg from week 2 to 5 (I transplant to 5 galon pots before I put them under the 400 watt) I have some nice flo's for clone seed and week 1/2. Here is the question; I'm trying to upgrade slightly. should I push the 400 into flower and get a switchable 600 for veg, maybe get another 1K hps to flower with and leave the rest the same? any other combo you can think of. I do a perpetual grow that's about 3 weeks apart per cycle and 2-3 plants per cycle. Wondering what you'd all do in this spot. I only have 1 patients worth of plants at a given time but 3 card holders beggin for me to CG and can't seem to stop the flow of "hey dude....room for one more" I tried geting out but seriously feeding frenzy when I spark one so I'm going back to cargeing with extreme caution. thanks ahead of time, look forward to the input.:leaf:
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i would buy a 400w Philips CMH bulb, and put that in the 400w HPS balast and use that for veg. or pick up a T5 for veg and move the 400 to flower... if you use the CMH in veg, a 2nd 1000w for flower, or a dual 600w HPS bulbs, with a splitter, on a single 1000w ballast for bloom.
 
Cory and trevor

Cory and trevor

Well-Known Member
cannabineer said:
No need to have a switchable ballast! cn
http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Conversion-Bulbs/Eye-Hortilux-400-Watt-Hortilux-HPS-to-MH-Conversion-Bulb.asp
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shit, is that legit? Has anyone used a conversion bulb in a crusty old balast from '09? LOL BTW, I'm blown away from the positive comments and great help; I thought all we did was bitch at each other on here, Thanks shit loads guys. Glad you're the man! And Bob freaking Harris with that positive comment, there is a god! LOL Thanks all lots to think over, more now then before. I'm now thinking the conversion bulb and new 1K for flower but bob your foot print on the 600 is the reason I'm not getting another 1K HPS straight away....
 
Timmahh

Timmahh

Well-Known Member
the Philips CMH (Ceramic Metal Halide) is a bloom or veg light... has a wonderfully full spectrum and is clear white light like the sun...
 
superstoner1

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
footprint means nothing without concentration of light. i have seen many side by side tests and 2-1000 will have more yield and denser nugs vs 3 600's over the same area. 600's are good, but if you have the room and compacity to keep temps in check then 1000 is the best.
 
gladstoned

gladstoned

Well-Known Member
I thought the main difference between 600 & 1000 is penetration. If you are tying down your plants and they are shorter, then 600s are fine, if your ass is growing 6 foot Sativas then the bigger difference between the 2 will be seen. I could be wrong, but that is the way I understand it and I have both.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
gladstoned said:
I thought the main difference between 600 & 1000 is penetration. If you are tying down your plants and they are shorter, then 600s are fine, if your ass is growing 6 foot Sativas then the bigger difference between the 2 will be seen. I could be wrong, but that is the way I understand it and I have both.
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That's the key with all lights. penetration. My plants are heavily lolloped, and height controlled. My 'grow zone" for buds is only maybe 10 inches thick. My 600's are right on top of the plants..2 inches off the tops. Plenty of punch.

Enough 400's will flower just fine..so long as you have canopy management.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
The other variable with the posted question is: What other equipment do you have? Are temps and humidity good? Co2? Sometimes extra money should go to things other than more lighting...but there is no way to know without understanding the whole set up.
 
Trichyn9ne

Trichyn9ne

Well-Known Member
Exactly Bob! Most people don't realize to get max performance from your lights they have to be 12 inches or closer to the canopy. I believe I read in the grow bible that a 1k light set 2 ft above the canopy only has an output of half the lumens. The only time i'd want a 1k ballast and light is if I was growing sativas and they were finishing at 4 ft or larger. Its always best to have the light spread in my eyes. I break it down to lumens per sq ft which I'm at 7100/sq ft.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
Trichyn9ne said:
Exactly Bob! Most people don't realize to get max performance from your lights they have to be 12 inches or closer to the canopy. I believe I read in the grow bible that a 1k light set 2 ft above the canopy only has an output of half the lumens. The only time i'd want a 1k ballast and light is if I was growing sativas and they were finishing at 4 ft or larger. Its always best to have the light spread in my eyes. I break it down to lumens per sq ft which I'm at 7100/sq ft.
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I grow sativa's, but I keep them fairly short. I'm at 75 watts per sq ft...lummens are about 10,000 per sq ft. Overkill? Not with sativa...but i've got a/c, humidity control, sealed room and co2..all the toys. All that light would not be near as productive if I did not have the rest of the environment controlled.
 
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bob harris

Well-Known Member
So my overall advice would be: Think about what you have before buying ANY more lights. you may be better served by ventilation, air flow, tempo control and a host of other issues, that really would nullify the extra light.

Spend your money on balance, not power.
 
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