What size of area do hps make useable?

[wk420]

I need to know how big of a grow area i can have under all dif watts of hps and mh. thanks

 

[KP2]

400w = 3x3 (not really, but close)
600w = 4x4 (again, not really, but closer than a 400w for a 3x3)
1000w = 5x5 (not really, i find the best use of a 1k is a 4x5, and five is pushing it)

movers are awesome

 

[Brick Top]

• 100 watt lights: 1.5FT x 1.5FT growing area
• 150/175 watt lights: 2FT x 2FT growing area
• 250 watt lights: 3FT x 3FT growing area
• 400 watt lights: 5FT x 5FT growing area
• 600 watt lights: 6FT x 6FT growing area
• 1000 watt lights: 8FT x 8FT growing area

 

[fureelz]

bricktop is more accurate..it also has to do with how high your light is off the ground

 

[mrduke]

bricktop is more accurate..it also has to do with how high your light is off the ground

I'dhave to disagree. A 1000 will never cover 8x8 you might get 6x6 but 5x5 will produce much better

 

[KP2]

mr. duke is right. the other two are clueless, and have never used hps. kp2 is totally accurate.

if you don't KNOW the answer to a question, generally from EXPERIENCE, you should not post in a thread.

 

[Brick Top]

mr. duke is right. the other two are clueless, and have never used hps. kp2 is totally accurate.

if you don't KNOW the answer to a question, generally from EXPERIENCE, you should not post in a thread.

I tend to use information about grow light coverage from a place called PlantLighting Hydroponics. The information they provide is pretty much in the middle of what I have seen elsewhere and in the wattages of lights I have used they seem to be very close to being accurate so I assume for those wattage lights that are lower or higher than the ones I have used that they are most likely at least close to being equally accurate.

But what do I know about growing? I’ve only done it for roughly 37 years now so it is not as if I have much experience or anything.

 

[Twistyman]

....................

 

[desert fox]

a good rule of thumb is 50 watts min per sq ft. You can go as high as 100 watts per sq ft. Anything over that is over kill and will probobly get less yeild. I am running a 400 in a 20X30 cabinet. I could have went with a 250 and be plenty happy, but it wasn't much more money for the 400 and I just had to beef up my exaust fan to take the heat. all and all a win win situation. More light, more gas exchange, more bud, and most of the equipment can be re used if I decide to go bigger.

 

[fureelz]

mr. duke is right. the other two are clueless, and have never used hps. kp2 is totally accurate.

if you don't KNOW the answer to a question, generally from EXPERIENCE, you should not post in a thread.

Ok scrub go look at my january album.
lol never used a hps...rofl

Thats ONE 1000w hps in a 10x8x8 room.
Get good.

 

[DaGambler]

i like 40 watts/sq. ft. Its the most economical use of juice/per yield in the average setup (no CO2). Over that is nice... but if area isn't a limiting factor then i'd use the lights at 40 for a bigger footprint (and larger grow area).

I've found that you can grow well enough in a 6x6 area with a 1000w stationary... so long as the walls are right next to the plants around the grow area. 5x5 is very uniform growth. And you can get a 6x8 if there is another HPS down the line from it. Right now I use 5x5 though.
.

 

[Jtoth3ustin]

how far do you keep it away from the tops of your plants.. im havin some major probs with my leafs from too much light, and its about 3 foot away from tops right now... Pe@ce..

 

[RandyRocket]

My 430 watt covers 3'-6" x 3'-9" very nice.

 

[tokinman]

40-50watts per sq ft is good for an indica strain. sativas prefer 65 ish watts per square foot.

 

[DaGambler]

how far do you keep it away from the tops of your plants.. im havin some major probs with my leafs from too much light, and its about 3 foot away from tops right now... Pe@ce..

at 3 feet away... lightburn isn't the problem. so ur either having heat / water / or nutrient issues.
.

 

[bigboy6801]

I have a 5'ft x 2' ft closet how much lights would you recommened, first time grower.

 

[9inch bigbud]

I have a 5'ft x 2' ft closet how much lights would you recommened, first time grower.

you would be better off with 2 small lights rather than 1 large lamp. 5 x 2 x 50watts per sq foot = 500w i would go for 2 x 250w lamps for better light covarage and it will be easyer to keep cool with 2 smaller lamps than one large lamp also the added bonus of being able to place the 2 smaller lamps closer to the plant tops. it may cost you more to buy 2 light, but it will pay for its self with in 1 grow.

 

[flex]

so is it better to have more small lamps than one big ? in my case i have 4x250 watts hps and one 400watts hps and what i find is that the buds under the 400watts lamp are bigger than the others...

 

[9inch bigbud]

so is it better to have more small lamps than one big ? in my case i have 4x250 watts hps and one 400watts hps and what i find is that the buds under the 400watts lamp are bigger than the others...

if you have the room go for the bigger lamp it will save money over the long tearm i.e less lights to buy. the buds will look bigger under the 400 watt than a 250 but the 2 x 250 will grow more smaller buds over more space, lets say 1/2 the size buds, but more over a larger area than the 400w.

4 x 250w hps will be better than a 1000w hps it will give better covarage i.e directly under a 1000w lamp lets say you get cola's 12" then as you move out from under the light lets say 2 feet your cola's will be 6" and move out even ferther 3" ect... the 4 x 250 for e.g will grow 6" cola's but more of them over a the same space garden as the 1000w you would have more bud but smaller in size.

 

[fureelz]

Oh ya and EXPERIENCE is KNOWLEDGE.