Growth trials, grow room build input welcomed

Good Afternoon,

I am in the process of building a room to do some growth trials. I have 2500 cone-tainers and a metal halide set up. I'm using the 1000 watt quantum electronic ballast with large adjust-a-wing reflector. The room is 16 feet by 13 feet and has an 8.5 foot high ceiling. I will be germinating 10 varieties of farm crops in 250 unit sets. Plants include corn, tomatoes, parsley, lettuce, broccoli, radish, etc.

My question. I have sought the advice of three separate suppliers of equipment. Some have said that using a metal halide to germinate seeds is a no-go. They said to purchase a T5 set up and switch the plants to MH after a week. Others have directed me to just keep a fair distance between the seeds and the light. Does anyone have some good input on this situation?

Hi there,

in fact you may ask yourself : do I want to buy something that will produce less heat thus less lumens (i.e. T8/T5/etc) and save on my electricity bill, or will I go on with what I do already have?

A MH should be kept at a fair distance from your seedlings, as you already know it. On the other hand, the footprint of a 1000W is kinda impressive, and yes it works for young plants too!

Depending of heat and electricity price issues, I would choose to change to T8/T5 or not.