Grow Tent/Setup Advice

I am looking at getting a Lighthouse Hydroponics 78"x78"x78" grow tent, for about $170.

I am looking at putting a 1000w HID system (comes with MH and HPS bulbs) into said tent. Hooked up to a 440cfm fan and matching carbon filter. The filter being mounted near the top of the tent, drawing air from the tent into and over the lamp, then out threw the fan and outside of the room the tent is in. The fan+filter combo is going to cost me ~$170.

I know the fan is probably a bit overkill, and I am going to be using a speed controller to gear it down/up as needed, but I plan on expanding beyond this tent if I have success, and the fan setup is a pretty good deal from what I've shopped around looking at.

So here's my questions.

#1. is the 1000w bulb sufficient for the tent space? it is 42.25sqft meaning it's only going to be 23.66 watts per sqft. The listing for the tent says that it's perfect for a 1000w setup. But I can totally afford to put in two 1000w setups which would bump it up around 40 watts per sqft, then it would become a question of cooling. Although I feel a 440cfm fan system could handle a 275sqft tent with two 1000w lamps.



Here's a crudely done MS Paint diagram for your amusement and entertainment.

#2. Would I need a forced intake fan? The tent has some mesh and flap openings for air intake on the sides of the tent, but it also has ports for forced air intake. Would it be a good idea to go with a forced air intake system or not? And if so, what kind of CFM rating would be necessary for pumping air in?

A 1000 watt light covers a 5x5 area. The tent is a 6.5 x6.5. I don't think It will be enough.

I could also do two 600w lamps, or two 1000w lamps.

If 2000w wouldn't be overkill, I'd really rather get those. I can always dim them down a bit.

run 2 600w, it would be better light distribution which means better buds. specially if you sog or scrog

The plan is to do sog growing.

But as the 600w systems are literally $20 less than the 1000w bulbs, I think I'm going to go 2k.

That way I can upgrade and already have two 1k lamps.

I would do 2 600W....because you can get them closer to the plants....therefore get much more juice out of the lamp.................1000W is hot as hell...........

Well the lamps have ballasts that will let me dim them so I can run them at 750 or 500w.

And would they still be too hot if they're in sealed ballasts with the exhaust system pulling the air out of the room, through the lamps, and outside?

DangerWorldWide said:

Well the lamps have ballasts that will let me dim them so I can run them at 750 or 500w.

And would they still be too hot if they're in sealed ballasts with the exhaust system pulling the air out of the room, through the lamps, and outside?

Click to expand...

The ballast should be as far UP as you can.
Out of the room if possible.
If not, up up up...close to the CArbon Filter.

For what you describe i would still do 2x600W because of the heat of the lamp.......

I am not saying that your idea would not work......i just seem to realize that 600w lamp can be very close to the foliage with proper exhaust......1000W is harder to cool....

Plus if you get regular 600w equipment, is cheaper that those ballast with dimmers you talk about.

Have you seen the commercial with the guy in a classroom talking with some kids asking "is 2 eye lazes better than 1 eye lazer?"?

Get the bigger ones! You can always turn them down if you can't handle the heat they generate. You will want to expand later on anyways.

Sounds like a nice start. The 1000 would suffice but I'd take 2 600w anyday personally. Even 3 over 2 1000w

DangerWorldWide said:

The plan is to do sog growing.

But as the 600w systems are literally $20 less than the 1000w bulbs, I think I'm going to go 2k.

That way I can upgrade and already have two 1k lamps.

Click to expand...

Just read this sorry. More power to ya man. Its a preference thing really. I like the 600s but u should see some killer results with the 1000s the $20 difference adds up fast. I can only imagine how much I've saved over the last decade since switching.

sensisensai said:

Sounds like a nice start. The 1000 would suffice but I'd take 2 600w anyday personally. Even 3 over 2 1000w

Click to expand...

No doubt......3 600W would do a much better jog than 2 1000 watts...
and spend less electricity,......and get more harvest