First Timer, 4x4 setup, lighting

4

420HobbyGrower

Member
Hi everyone, I’m a first timer, looking at putting together a 4x4x8 tent in the next few weeks (might turn into a 5x5). I’m only purchasing 1 tent for now, so it’s going to be from seed through flower. I’m going the soil route, and at some point in the future might go hydroponic.

Mostly thinking about lighting right now, and while everything is arriving I’m going to research nutrients, etc.

Big thing for me is I hate buying things for temporary purpose - like buying cheap LED lights only to have to trash them for upgraded lights. I see it as a waste of money. I just want to get this right at the beginning.

Lighting: (2) HLG 320w V2 R-spec kits, plus 1 HPS light (600w?).

I really want to lean on LED, but I wanted to add HPS for better canopy penetration. I don’t want to go heavy on HPS because I don’t want to have to deal with heat issues, and I’d like to keep energy costs down. Also concerned about RFI with digital ballasts, and fire hazard of magnetic ballasts.

I’m pretty OCD, and really want a safe setup and not attract attention due to RFI. I’m also more concerned about quality than yield (although big yields would be nice).

First of all, is the 600w HPS overkill with 2 HLG 320s? The HLGs can be dimmed down if need be. It also positions me better if I ever decide to get a larger tent.

Secondly, can you recommend a good HPS setup? I don’t want to spend a ton on one, but I don’t want to go cheap either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
L

Lpt

Well-Known Member
Look into building your own LEDs.. no need for hps. These self built LEDs are absolutely awesome

ledgardener.com

DIY LED Strip Build Designs for Samsung H-Series, F-Series, Q-Series, and Bridgelux EB Gen.2 - LED Gardener

DIY LED strip builds have become very popular recently. The mid-power section of our forum is full of threads created by DIYers looking to build their own custom lights, and new builds and ideas are surfacing every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you have easy access to premade lights...
ledgardener.com

Give us a shout if you need to source anything in UK I've just done it!
 
4

420HobbyGrower

Member
Thanks for the reply! I thought about building my own LED QBs but I’d rather just spend the money on something pre-built haha... it’s going to be more of a hobby for me and I’m ok with the price. I have too much other research to do to get started lol.

Maybe once I get a few harvests under my belt I’ll start a separate veg tent and go the DIY route then.

I’m starting to think the 600w HPS will be way too much light, but still interested in adding some HPS anyway.
 
.Smoke

.Smoke

Well-Known Member
Keep in mind, if you run even 1 hps, you're going to have to cool it. With that being said, its better (imho) to pick one or the other.

If you're having to cool a 600w hps, you can ditch the led and cool a 1000w with the same fan. Or 2-600w.

Or, drop a load of cash or diy yourself some decent led.
 
4

420HobbyGrower

Member
.Smoke said:
Keep in mind, if you run even 1 hps, you're going to have to cool it. With that being said, its better (imho) to pick one or the other.

If you're having to cool a 600w hps, you can ditch the led and cool a 1000w with the same fan. Or 2-600w.

Or, drop a load of cash or diy yourself some decent led.
Click to expand...
I'm ok with running an exhaust fan, I guess I was thinking a 600w HPS wouldn't get as hot as a 1000w, so combining it with some really good LEDs would keep my tent a little cooler than running a 1000w HPS (which was originally what I was planning on doing). I was also thinking it would help diversify my light spectrum, but maybe I'm really over thinking this.

Biggest reason I was thinking about including a HPS was to increase canopy penetration, and also because it's so tried and true I wanted to make sure all my bases were covered. The last thing I want to do is drop $1000 on LED lights, go through my first grow, and realize it wasn't enough light.

Why would you recommend not mixing? I've done so much research over the past week (literally like 30 hours) on lighting and my brain is spinning lol. I haven't read much about mixing the two types though.

My basement is pretty much 65 degrees year round.. do you think I would run into cooling issues with a 1000w HPS, or 2 600w?
 
4

420HobbyGrower

Member
I guess I just don't trust 100% that 680w from LED would be enough for 4x4. And to get 1000w from LED (without going the DIY route), I'd be spending $1700.. Convincing the wife that $1300 was OK was likely my limit haha (for a mix of LED and HPS)
 
.Smoke

.Smoke

Well-Known Member
420HobbyGrower said:
I'm ok with running an exhaust fan, I guess I was thinking a 600w HPS wouldn't get as hot as a 1000w, so combining it with some really good LEDs would keep my tent a little cooler than running a 1000w HPS (which was originally what I was planning on doing). I was also thinking it would help diversify my light spectrum, but maybe I'm really over thinking this.

Biggest reason I was thinking about including a HPS was to increase canopy penetration, and also because it's so tried and true I wanted to make sure all my bases were covered. The last thing I want to do is drop $1000 on LED lights, go through my first grow, and realize it wasn't enough light.

Why would you recommend not mixing? I've done so much research over the past week (literally like 30 hours) on lighting and my brain is spinning lol. I haven't read much about mixing the two types though.

My basement is pretty much 65 degrees year round.. do you think I would run into cooling issues with a 1000w HPS, or 2 600w?
Click to expand...
Your basement sounds just like mine.

I think you should forget about the led and get the 1000w hps. I battled between the 2 when I started growing because everyone said led was the way to go and I never saw much about hps.

Here's my flower tent 10 months after starting to grow. Currently running 2600W HPS.
20200409_041506.jpg
I'm glad I went with HPS. Seems like its easier to learn to master than LED, so it gave me much needed time to pay attention to learning how to grow the plant.

I think you'd love a 1k. HPS
But it would require the exhaust fan and an air cooled hood to run. If you don't want to spend the extra on the hood, stick to a 600w.

My journal link is in my signature if you're interested in the setup.
 
.Smoke

.Smoke

Well-Known Member
These 2 would be great for that space, not break the bank and can easily get you 1lb+.
I use the ipower ballast btw.

Amazon.com: iPower 6 Inch 442 CFM Inline Fan Carbon Filter 16 Feet Ducting Combo with Variable Speed Controller and Rope Hanger for Grow Tent Ventilation: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: iPower 6 Inch 442 CFM Inline Fan Carbon Filter 16 Feet Ducting Combo with Variable Speed Controller and Rope Hanger for Grow Tent Ventilation: Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
 
4

420HobbyGrower

Member
Thanks again for all the info! I actually already read your journal.. it's all so beautiful haha. Did you find the switch to hydro to be easy? I'm definitely interested in that eventually, but figured it would be easier to start with soil.
 
L

LivinGOLD

Member
To my understand. Correct me if I’m wrong. But two 315 watt cog should cover you not problem and no need to run a 1000 unless you just want to. I’m looking to set up an 4x4 my apt without much space. Therefore I’m leaning toward COB LED simply because of heat concerns in SoCa.
 
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