HLG 550 V2 RSPEC to much for a 3 x 3?

I’ve been building and using hydroponics for years in a greenhouse but this will be my first attempt at indoor growing and never used indoor lighting. My kids are finally leaving the house so I have some privacy now.

I might go with a larger tent in the future but wanted to start small. It is a temperature controlled room and if i go bigger I wanted a light that I could use and not waste the money buying another one.

I figured the light can be raised and or lower the output to control any burning. I have been reading here for the past week and love the posts here. Especially the smack talking. So many different views but I like that everyone is free thinking and we learn from experience.

Any advice would be great. Thank you in advance.

Go with the 550 V2 Rspec and dim it down to ~ 300 watts for 3ft x 3ft then you can use it for a bigger space later without having to purchase something else.

Moflow said:

Go with the 550 V2 Rspec and dim it down to ~ 300 watts for 3ft x 3ft then you can use it for a bigger space later without having to purchase something else.

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Thank you for that helpful info. I’m so new to indoor growing but I have a feeling I’m going to fall in love. I’m in the North east so being able to grow in the winter will be fun.

I am excited to get my list together. I’ll probably pull the trigger tonight and buy most of my stuff. Luckily I have some of the equipment already but might just go all new. All these new gadgets Are tempting.

Again thank you for a fast response. I can’t wait to start my first ever indoor grow.

One of the advantages of top-tier led fixtures is the ability to dim them.
Unlike HID, leds become more efficient as you reduce the amount of power applied to them.
So, it makes sense to buy more than you need as it allows you to grow if needed.

GBAUTO said:

One of the advantages of top-tier led fixtures is the ability to dim them.
Unlike HID, leds become more efficient as you reduce the amount of power applied to them.
So, it makes sense to buy more than you need as it allows you to grow if needed.

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Good to know. I’m learning day by day. I’ve read a book about it last year and have been reading these message boards. I finally pulled the trigger and I bought the light fixture and a Gorilla 3 x 3. After a few years of research and thinking i’m taking the leap. (Helps that my kids are grown and leaving the house now also)

Was thinking of also going with the autopot 4 watering system. 3.9 Gallon pots. I’m a little obsessive as you will see. I used excel to try and figure out if the 4 pots would fit ok in the 3x3 tent. I would put the reservoir outside of the tent. Every box represents an inch and I took the measurements of the pots to see if I had room. I don’t know if they would be to close. Would I be better off just getting the 2 large pot system? I’m trying to be smart. I think it would work and make a full canopy but because of my inexperience I didn’t want to buy it without all of your valued opinions.

Again thank you all in advance for your help with getting me off the ground with my first indoor grow.

I used 15 liter autopots and coco for a few grows. I think smaller pots might've been better with coco.

I think there are better options than autopots personally for faster growth.
Like dtw coco or flood and drain with clay balls.

The one thing I like about autopots is they are silent, advisable to upgrade to the bigger tubing and run a drip cleaner though.

coreywebster said:

I think there are better options than autopots personally for faster growth.
Like dtw coco or flood and drain with clay balls.

The one thing I like about autopots is they are silent, advisable to upgrade to the bigger tubing and run a drip cleaner though.

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I have read this. The allure about it is that I’ve read articles where people will actually use a soil combo mix and just use plain water instead of adding nutrients which are the cause of the clogs. I believe during bloom is the only time you would add some nutrients. I had bookmarked the article.

I work like a horse and sometimes I might need something that can go a week or a little less without me monitoring it like Crazy. I did also buy the Pulse One for that reason. That way if something environmentally was going south I would make sure to attend to it. But yes I’ve always been a deep water guy. Easy but the issues that we all know about can arise without properly monitoring.

Moflow said:

Go with the 550 V2 Rspec and dim it down to ~ 300 watts for 3ft x 3ft then you can use it for a bigger space later without having to purchase something else.

Click to expand...

Wish I had gotten this advice when I was starting- now I'm using a light rated for 3x3 in my 4x4 and I can't fully utilize my space (not bad results though).

My buddy runs the 550 Rspec in his 4x4 and LOVES IT! I'd do a DIY strip version instead personally (half the cost or so)

SpawnOfVader said:

Wish I had gotten this advice when I was starting- now I'm using a light rated for 3x3 in my 4x4 and I can't fully utilize my space (not bad results though).

My buddy runs the 550 Rspec in his 4x4 and LOVES IT! I'd do a DIY strip version instead personally (half the cost or so)

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Wow nice looking plants. And the only reason why I am getting the light I bought is because of reading these message boards. I value and consider all that is said. Like the gentleman early who said maybe those grow pots would not be ideal. He actually has me thinking and second guessing now. I’ll read up some more and maybe find an alternative or say screw it and give it a shot.

Just happy to finally be pulling the trigger and getting started soon. If my first time goes well I’ll share some pictures. Won’t be for a month, have a little vacation planned first.

Thanks again.

GBAUTO said:

One of the advantages of top-tier led fixtures is the ability to dim them.
Unlike HID, leds become more efficient as you reduce the amount of power applied to them.
So, it makes sense to buy more than you need as it allows you to grow if needed.

Click to expand...

Hardly an advantage really, I can dim my HPS if I really want, my Maxibright DigiLight Pro Select ballast on full power is

660w to 600 with a 600 bulb
440w to 400w with a 400 bulb
275w to 250w with a 250 bulb.

Many many options with an HPS and the correct wattage bulb. No loss of efficiency in any instance at all using the correct bulbs.

It really is swings and roundabouts but for certain your point is not exactly an "advantage" when the same is more than capable with HPS/HID lighting as I have explained.

I grow HPS and have a nice selection of bulbs for the 3 instances above which allows me 6 choices to dim to. I could go further and add that by throwing in MH with the bulb choice the options are very extensive. I have a bit of everything so it can be tricky to decide I find but I would not swap my trusty proven HPS for anything else.

KK26 said:

Hardly an advantage really, I can dim my HPS if I really want, my Maxibright DigiLight Pro Select ballast on full power is

660w to 600 with a 600 bulb
440w to 400w with a 400 bulb
275w to 250w with a 250 bulb.

Many many options with an HPS and the correct wattage bulb. No loss of efficiency in any instance at all using the correct bulbs.

It really is swings and roundabouts but for certain your point is not exactly an "advantage" when the same is more than capable with HPS/HID lighting as I have explained.

I grow HPS and have a nice selection of bulbs for the 3 instances above which allows me 6 choices to dim to. I could go further and add that by throwing in MH with the bulb choice the options are very extensive. I have a bit of everything so it can be tricky to decide I find but I would not swap my trusty proven HPS for anything else.

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These new LEDs are allegedly just as good. Notice I said allegedly but i have read about so many falling in love. I decided screw it. YOLO i believe people say. I’ve always liked to live on the edge. This is strictly a hobby. So as long as something decent comes out that I can sit back and chill with.. I’m happy

Thanks for the reply. I have always heard that HPS/HID have amazing results.

xvinnyax74 said:

These new LEDs are allegedly just as good. Notice I said allegedly but i have read about so many falling in love. I decided screw it. YOLO i believe people say. I’ve always liked to live on the edge. This is strictly a hobby. So as long as something decent comes out that I can sit back and chill with.. I’m happy

Thanks for the reply. I have always heard that HPS/HID have amazing results.

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So many choices @xvinnyax74 but it's you to decide. No doubt there will be changes but it's whatever suits you and you plants best.

Good luck with everything and keep us informed of your progress.

KK26 said:

Many many options with an HPS and the correct wattage bulb. No loss of efficiency in any instance at all using the correct bulbs.

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As far as I'm aware, HID lamp efficacy increases as the wattage of the fixture increases. It's the opposite of led.
Even if the ballast will handle different elements, the efficacy of the bulbs decreases as power level drops.

GBAUTO said:

As far as I'm aware, HID lamp efficacy increases as the wattage of the fixture increases. It's the opposite of led.
Even if the ballast will handle different elements, the efficacy of the bulbs decreases as power level drops.

Click to expand...

That is total nonsense @GBAUTO

In my previous post I fully explained this.

Again,

660w to 600 with a 600 bulb
440w to 400w with a 400 bulb
275w to 250w with a 250 bulb

The above is the range of wattage to fit the correct wattage of light. I can have many choices and I lose no efficiency at all.

I get your point if I were to use a 600watt bulb but only have the ballast wattage a 250watts but this is far from the case and far from an "advantage" of dimmable LED fixtures.

As I said before, there is no "advantage" at all because HID can do all of that without any loss of efficiency. As I also said, if you throw MH into the mix I think the options for HID lighting have a very good choice and a meager dimmable switch is hardly an "advantage" to even consider.

Anyway, each to their on but I must chime in when the seemingly dimmable impossible is in fact possible.

Shaking my head...

I like what everyone has to say. I agree with KK26.. Get the most knowledge you can and say F-it and give it a whirl. We learn from there. I’m going to have fun anyway it goes.. Maybe not too much fun if they all die. But this is a cool hobby for me. And I love all the input. You guys really go above and beyond to help out people and I for one appreciate it.