400w cfl or 400w hps

I need a little help choosing between the two for flowering; both will cost a comparable amount, so that isn't the issue.

I either want 2 x 200w cfls or a cheapo 400w hps system. At the moment, these are my only 2 options.

I do worry about heat somewhat for the hps, but I also know that cfls give off some decent heat as well. So, how would one compare the heat between 2 200w cfls (with 2 reflectors) and 400w hps?

Also, about how many and how large could they be grown under two reflectors with each having a 200w cfl?

Just get a small 30cm fan running inside to keep the cfl cooled. Make sure you have ventilation inside as it needs to have air vented in and out. For the HPS I cant help you out bud. I have heat issues with it myself as two 120mm computer fans won't do it. I have to get the small fans inside cooling the Hps itself. Note that my one is not a cooled tube so the metal gets pretty hot.

for cfl the light put out is equivalent to 2-3 times what u get for hps

u get more light for your buck with cfl, get something dual spectrum although it is less penetrating, so ideal for small plants like ryders as u can have it quite close and not have to worry too much about the heat, the heat that my 300w gives off is comparable to my xbox and i have a dozen plants under it doin well

VanishingToaster said:

for cfl the light put out is equivalent to 2-3 times what u get for hps

u get more light for your buck with cfl, get something dual spectrum although it is less penetrating, so ideal for small plants like ryders as u can have it quite close and not have to worry too much about the heat, the heat that my 300w gives off is comparable to my xbox and i have a dozen plants under it doin well

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Not entirely correct, the CFL might put put 400 watts, bu tthe HPS 400 watts is going to have about 50000 lumens, were the CFL are not even gonna come close to that.

If you dont mind the heat exchange than go with the HPS lamp, youl thank yourself at harvest time when your pulling off decent sized buds. CFL wont give you fat dense nuggs like the sodium lamp will.

the 400 isnt really that hot anyways. Thats my 2c

gl

CFL if you want to keep the heat down, HPS for more yield, but more heat will come with that yield. A 400 shouldn't cause you too much trouble though

VanishingToaster said:

for cfl the light put out is equivalent to 2-3 times what u get for hps

u get more light for your buck with cfl, get something dual spectrum although it is less penetrating, so ideal for small plants like ryders as u can have it quite close and not have to worry too much about the heat, the heat that my 300w gives off is comparable to my xbox and i have a dozen plants under it doin well

Click to expand...

Best do your research home.

No way a cfl is going to come close to hps. The lumen/watt is much lower, and when you get into actual watt equiv, the heat is there also.

Snag a magnetic (cheap) 400w HPS and a CMH bulb, ~$50 and you're in business. Cost should be well under $200 for ballast&bulb.

Wet