Help with lights

So a buddy gave me a complete tent kit. I know the set up but neither of can remember what bulbs are for what stages. We have a agromax 600 mh conversion and a hortilux m400. Everything we can find says both are for veg and not flowering. So are we just dopes or are both just for veg?

They're both veg bulbs. Metal Halide (MH) bulbs are blue-heavy, meant more for the veg stage. With HID lighting, High Pressure Sodium (HPS) are much more red-heavy and meant for flowering. Depending on exactly which ballast you're using, it may be compatible with both types of bulbs.

You can't run a 600 watt bulb on a 400 watt ballast and you also can't run a 400 watt bulb on a 600 watt ballast.

A "conversion" bulb is, like, a 360 watt HPS bulb that CAN be run on a 400 watt metal halide ballast...and I think there are also metal halide conversion bulbs that can run on an HPS ballast, too.

I'd be really careful with getting all that information together before trying anything. High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs put out a LOT of heat and can start fires if they aren't set up correctly.

MH are closer to the spectrum of the sun. Many like the spectrum of MH for both Veg, and flowering. When HID first came out, in 1977-78, it was a 1000w Metal Halide the Navy Sub program used to grow veggies in the sub, as sometimes they didnt have contact with anyone for 6 months at a time. Back then HPS had zero Blue in it, but in the 90s, Hortilux, was the first to start adding a bit of Blue to the spectrum. Blue is essential for life in most plants.
The best indoor weed I ever smoked, or grew, was under a 1000w Metal Halide.

I wouldnt fuck with a 400w HPS, or Metal Halide. Not powerful enough.
Ive used a 1000w HID, with Halide, or HPS/Hortilux since they came out. Ive been using the 1000w Hortilux HPS for about 30 years now, for all stages, but have thought about going to a Hortilux Blue, because the spectrum, is closer to the sun. We keep mothers under a 1000w Hortilux Blue.

Also a 600w HID, is best used in a 3 x 3 area. Ever since they came out with the 1000w HID, they were always recommended by the manufacturer to be used in a 4 x 4 area, and a 600w in a 3 x 3. A 1000w in a 4 x 4 is 62.5w sq/ft. And a 600w, in a 3 x 3 is 66w sq/ft.

The 400w would also need to be considerably closer to the canopy vs the 600w. And 400w is good for a 6.4 sq/ft area, about 2.5ft x 2.5ft, to meet the 62.5w sq/ft.

I start all seeds under a 1000w HID at 24 inches, and let the plants grow towards the light. Ive also never had one problem with excess stretch using a 1000w HPS. Also sight breeze 24/7.

In your case I would use the 600w, from start, to finish. Even if it was a 600w HPS, thats what Id use. I have very little use for a 400w HID. Be it HPS, or MH. Intensity is really the most important thing.
Many feel the MH induces the plant to produce different terpenes vs the HPS. HPS MAY yield a bit more, but the MH will have better flavor, and terpenes.
And as stated. MH, is a closer spectrum to the sun. Especially the Hortilux Blue. Or CMH. Though Id not fuck with a 315w CMH either. Lowest Id go, is 600w. But my preference is 1000w. Its a matter of being able to cool, whatever you use.
I also dont grow in a tent. I grow in an open 15 x 15 room. With excellent air exchange. That is also another very important thing to consider. The more light, the more need for fresh air exchange.

Thanks folks. Should have just come here first instead of Reddit. What's the max area for a AC Infinity s22? Some folks have said 3x3 others say stick to a 2x2

2x2.

1212ham said:

2x2.

IONBOARD S22, Full Spectrum LED Grow Light 115W, Samsung LM301H, 2x2 Ft. Coverage

Your source to create smart growing systems with components including advance grow tents, inline fans, clip-on fans, LED grow lights, and UIS™ controllers.

acinfinity.com

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I know what the specs are but just wondering if I could get away with using it in a 3 x3

b.martin24018 said:

I know what the specs are but just wondering if I could get away with using it in a 3 x3

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For seedlings and early vegging it would be ok, but 100w is just not enough for a 3x3.
A 150w light would be a better choice for a 2x2; enough light for the whole cycle and an insignificant difference in price compared to a 100w light.

In a 3x3, that light would only be supplying 11 watts per square foot. You could maybe veg for a while with it, but unless you're planning in parking it directly over a single plant, it's not gonna do much for flowering.

Max coverage for that light would be 2.4 sq/ft.
1.55ft x 1.55ft.

When Gavita came out with the 1700e-645w, to replace a 1000w HID, in a 4 x 4 area, thats 40.3w sq/ft.
For 100w LED to equal the intensity of 40.3w aq/ft, this equals 2.4 sq/ft, or about 1.55 x 1.55f.

Though some lights are a bit more efficient now. I still use 40.3w sq/ft as the gold standard, as long as they are using at least the Samsung 310H-301B diodes. All Samsung diodes. The EVO Mint White, are now Samsungs best White Diode.

You’re looking for something around 300 watts. You could piece your own together from hlg for around $175. I’m currently also looking but waiting for holiday sale to purchase

b.martin24018 said:

I know what the specs are but just wondering if I could get away with using it in a 3 x3

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Generally speaking, the more light you give cannabis, the greater your crop yield and crop quality. To maximize your growth, you should get your plants to their light saturation point, which, for cannabis, is 800-1000µmols. If you look at the PPFD map from AC Infinity, you will see that the Ionboard is does not generate enough light to reach that level even at the very center of the light even at the lowest hang height*. As soon as you move off center, light values from the fixture roll off very quickly.

I'm not knocking AC Infinity; in fact I'm a big fan of AC Infinity. Their products tend to be well thought out and well-engineered but their are the exception. My advice would be to return the light and get a ViparSpectra XS-1500 Pro. It's the same price as the Ionboard but delivers significantly more light than the Ionboard and, due to the increased red in the spectrum, will tend to grow larger plants than the Ionboard. Check the PPFD maps at the link to see the difference.

If you do use the Ionboard in a 3' x 3' space, you should expect a modest harvest. That light, even in a 2' x 2' space, isn't creating a lot of light so your plants will not be able to make much food. When you go from 2' x 2', which is 4 square feet, to 3' x 3', you are doubling your area and the corners and edges of the 3' will be getting barely enough light for seedlings, much less the 800-1000µmols that they should be given.

One idea for the 3' - Mars and Spider make bar lights in the 3' space. You could get away with 2 XS-1500's for a bit less but I don't skimp when it comes to parachutes, radar detectors, or grow lights.

*The high readings from small areas in the center are not material.

Thanks again for the knowledge guys. I really do appreciate it. This forum has been more help in less than 12 hrs than Reddit has in the last 2 days.

Just throwing in my two cents. You can buy a really good 315W CMH setup for less than $100 right now. That's a ballast, cord, fixture, two bulbs, and an easy 3x3 footprint if you have reflective sides in your tent. 3000k and 4200k bulbs are both far superior per watt to any standard HID for both veg and flower.