lights? we dont need no stinkin lights. 400W or 1000W?

Im about to attempt my first grow. I've done lots of research and now I'm trying to gather my tools.

I was visiting a friend out of town this weekend when we popped into the local grow shop.

I was originally planning on picking up a 400W hps. But the helpful staff introduced me to Sunleaves switching ballasts (so i can veg with mh and flower with hps just by switching bulbs). Any downside to these types of lights?

Anyway, I was about to pull the trigger on the 400W when the lady told me that the 1000W lights were on sale for the same price as the 400W (Sunleaves doesnt make a switching 600W)

The problem is that i was originally planning on growing in a closet. Would 1000W be too much for a small space? I could move the operation into a bigger room, but im not sure if its worth the trouble.

If this works out i would probably increase the size and number of plants. Should i just go with the 1000W now?

Thanks for your patience. And im sure ill have a ton more questions in the future.

welcome to the forum. The 1000watt puts out about 192,000 lumens. Not for a closet, heat will be too much of an issue. You do have to keep it a little further away from the plants. Is height an issue for the larger area?? VV

VictorVIcious said:

welcome to the forum. The 1000watt puts out about 192,000 lumens. Not for a closet, heat will be too much of an issue. You do have to keep it a little further away from the plants. Is height an issue for the larger area?? VV

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No, about 9 or 10 foot ceilings. The biggest problem with that area is going to be sealing out all the light.

I'm torn because if i just take the deal on the 1000 i think it will end up being much more expensive preping the bigger room. But when or if i end up growing more plants am i going to kick myself for just getting the 400?

I think they make a 1000wt dual-spectrum ballast - 600w HPS and 400w MH running at the same time (or individually). you need the Sun Spectrum reflector though (you can get it with air-cooled fittings and glass cover.
just a though. you will need a way to keep things cooled down - make sure to air-cool the light and exhaust the room with a fan.

Would it be better to just go with a 600W hps? Or are the advantages of suiting your light to your cycle worth it?

I know the lights were set up to work with an air cooler. How exactly to those air coolers work? How much?

Is it a dual spectrum setup that runs a 600 and 400 watt bulb same time? DOes it need a conversion bulb or is it an actual switchable digital ballast? 1000 watts is gonna cook so have the room. You can get new 600 watt switchable digital ballast at Maryland Hydroponics for $119 and if they have more in stock a 400 watt digital switchable ballast for $99 all new ballast and cordsets

Hi Filthy,

It is two ballasts in one with two power cords and two light fixture cords. not digital - one side is 600w HPS the other is 400w MH. you can run both bulbs simultaneously or independently.

Sun System VII

It also comes in a 400 HPS/400 MH configuration.

Here is a pic of the reflector w/air cool kit and bulbs and the ballast:

FilthyFletch said:

Is it a dual spectrum setup that runs a 600 and 400 watt bulb same time? DOes it need a conversion bulb or is it an actual switchable digital ballast? 1000 watts is gonna cook so have the room. You can get new 600 watt switchable digital ballast at Maryland Hydroponics for $119 and if they have more in stock a 400 watt digital switchable ballast for $99 all new ballast and cordsets

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The 600 was just one or the other i think. (hps or mh) The 400 and 1000 had a selector switch on it. $119 huh? They were asking $350 for both the 400W and the 1000W.

I think this was the 400. Is this digital?

http://www.hydroponicsoutlet.com/Sunleaves-Pulsar-2-0-400W-Two-Way-MH-HPS-p/sptt141.htm

OK. Time to jump up on my little podium again. Before making this decision please check out T-5 lighting. 40,000 lumens, both red and blue spectrum fit the fixture, less heat issues and will perform as well as the 600watt hid, all while using 440 watts of power. You can add lights as you go. I just bought my third one to put over my vegging table. There is a reason why the 1000watt is the same price as the 400watt. They can't sell them. They are not as efficient. T-5 8 bulb four foot fixture, $350.00 out thew door with four red and four blue spectrum bulbs ready to use from start to harvest. Get the picture?? VV

So T-5's are better than HPS?

VictorVIcious said:

OK. Time to jump up on my little podium again. Before making this decision please check out T-5 lighting. 40,000 lumens, both red and blue spectrum fit the fixture, less heat issues and will perform as well as the 600watt hid, all while using 440 watts of power. You can add lights as you go. I just bought my third one to put over my vegging table. There is a reason why the 1000watt is the same price as the 400watt. They can't sell them. They are not as efficient. T-5 8 bulb four foot fixture, $350.00 out thew door with four red and four blue spectrum bulbs ready to use from start to harvest. Get the picture?? VV

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i have t5s and am very pleased with them but my 8 t5s do not cover the area of my 600 or produce as much.im lighting a 4x4 area nicely with the 600 and a 2x4 area with the t5s.and i like the heat the 600 gives off in winter.

trapper said:

i have t5s and am very pleased with them but my 8 t5s do not cover the area of my 600 or produce as much.im lighting a 4x4 area nicely with the 600 and a 2x4 area with the t5s.and i like the heat the 600 gives off in winter.

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The heat might be nice for the winter. I think i might go for the 1000. is ther an easy way to section off a large room so i dont have to light proof the whole thing?

section it off with white panda plastic.and velcro stickons.

do u not think 1000w is abit much of a electricity rinser for a closet?

lol

Tanuvan said:

So T-5's are better than HPS?

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Depends on your situation. A T-5 may be better if heat or a heat signiture (police scan for this to see is someone is growing) is an issue or you are paranoid. They generally consume less energy than HPS lights. But really if none of that matters, an HPS head to head with a T-5 is no comparison...HPS wins by KO!

tech9374 said:

do u not think 1000w is abit much of a electricity rinser for a closet?

lol

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I'm thinking about moving it into a bigger room.

How much do the ventilators for the lights cost?

Does anyone know if the sunleaves are digital?

Should i have the area completely enclosed or can i leave one side open?

Thanks again

lolasplants said:

I'm thinking about moving it into a bigger room.

How much do the ventilators for the lights cost?

Does anyone know if the sunleaves are digital?

Should i have the area completely enclosed or can i leave one side open?

Thanks again

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check this place out they have everything you need decent prices.

High Tech Garden Supply

VictorVIcious said:

T-5 8 bulb four foot fixture, $350.00 out thew door with four red and four blue spectrum bulbs ready to use from start to harvest. Get the picture?? VV

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I got the picture when i saw your pictures VV!

I have done some reading on the T5 8 bulb fixtures, and they look excellent.

If using two rooms, would you recommend using blue bulb fixtures for vegetation, and red bulb fixtures in the flowering room? Not having to deal with ballasts also sounds appealling.....so does the cooling system....and the poser savings..

Has anybody else had experience growing with these??

trapper said:

i have t5s and am very pleased with them but my 8 t5s do not cover the area of my 600 or produce as much.im lighting a 4x4 area nicely with the 600 and a 2x4 area with the t5s.and i like the heat the 600 gives off in winter.

Click to expand...

whoops! ....dopey me .. i didn't see this post

Thanks for the info