Help a 7-year newbie

Rob Low

New Member
Hi all; this forum was an awesome resource for me 7 years ago when I first built my rooms. I'm now wanting to upgrade a bit and needing some help. I've read a ton on LED lighting (which wasn't an economically efficient alternative when I first built) but can't find my specific answers.

Anyways, home built box with two areas; veg is about 2.5 feet x 3 feet x 6 feet; flower is 2.5 feet x 5 feet x 6 feet. 400 mh and 400 hps currently. Built as very basic grow area; no co2 and in an area where air conditioning isn't possible, so I run about 7 months a year (2 grow cycles).

Last few years buds have gotten wispier and wispier. Had one last year that got the flower area to itself for 6 wks of its flowering and it did AWESOME. Based on that result, decided a bit more light couldn't hurt.

So the questions for you guys:

1) I assume running hps and led together is no issue? Haven't seen anything suggesting its a problem. I'm thinking of simply adding two of the 300W Mars hydro LEDs, one to either side of the 400hps, probably angled off the corners. Good plan? Have also considered possibility I need to replace hps bulb - still the original!

2) the LEDs would be in close proximity to the hps if I installed them in the top of the box; do I need to be concerned with the hps light's heat affecting the leds? I could also operate the hps closest to the exhaust to minimize heat issues and simply shuffle the girls around throughout the weeks to ensure everyone got even light exposure.

3) do you think my money and time would be better spent installing co2? I massively overbought on exhaust so I have a LOT of air turnover - did this intentionally to deal with heat issues. But I bought a speed control for it too; I'm worried that any co2 I added would be simply wasted.

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS OR IDEAS WOULS BE MUCH APPRECIATED. I'm sure that looking at the schematics of my incredibly schwag setup is frustrating for those of you better situated;my entire goal at the time was just to stop having to meet ppl to buy. Now I want to drastically improve my quality, so please, any thoughts you have would be very helpful. I do have extra funds I can sink into this; hell I'll even rebuild the whole box of you guys think it will help.
 

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
You already have everything it seems to grow good green. You can run led with hps ect... If you are looking to save electricity,lower heat and keep yield then a diy COB setup would be your go to. If you want more light that you can just buy off the shelf and get them tomorrow then stick with HID's. A 400 mh and hps combo is plenty and could get you up to 600g dry more or less pretty easily. How about buying a 1000watt hortilux blue / super hps and throwing it up top and blast the sides with 400w super hps's. If you decide to buy a blue then you will have to wear skin/eye protection when checking the plants especially if you dont use a glass hood cover.
 

past times

Well-Known Member
yeah rob, more light. Are both the MH and the HPS in the flower room? I would go 1 600 watt HPS and maybe some LED for side lighting if you are using the whole 5 foot width.
 

Rob Low

New Member
Nope, mh in veg only, that's why I'm thinking of adding the LEDs to the flower. Thought it would be a way of adding some power without any added heat. But yup, trying to use all square footage for maximum yield. Gets pretty crowded when I've got 4 nearly done.

Much thanks man!
 

MarWan

Well-Known Member
it wouldn't hurt to look into CMH like the SunSystems' LEC315, I replaced my 400wts hps with a philips 330 wt (4000k) CMD and there is a difference in growth and frost in favor for the 330 wts.
 

Rob Low

New Member
These are what I was considering for a quick boost. . .

Ugh, that eBay link is ridiculously long and probably against the rules. Thinking two of the standard Mars 300w (real watt 150 that you can find on eBay for $70 each) to add to flower room. . .
 
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