penny for your thoughts

i have a 6ft x 10ft x 7ft tall room. Finished blooming area would be 10x4 to allow 2ft working area, What would be the optimal light set up? I was thinking 2 1000w hps but wondering if i could get away with 2 600w hps. I dont want to skimp on anything but if i can save on my electric bill im all for it. Heat and air exchange wont be a problem. Wanting to grow SOG style in 6in pots. theoretically i could fit 160 pots in the area is this too crowded. Leaning heavily toward northern lights, but if anyone could suggest a reliable stable heavy yeilding strain im all ears. Thanks in advance

Hya appalachian outlaw, a lot of peeps probably say go for the 2 x 1000w, but for ME it would be 2 x 600w(Digital) more Lumens for your $$$$ from what I've read a lot is the 600w is kinda the sweet spot in the range 250/400/600/1000..Digital sposed to be more efficient than the Magnetic ones, could also save a bit depending in light schedule..you know 18/6..

Peace

EDIT: Just thought, maybe you could run up to 3 x 600w(Digital) Still under 2000w and more spread!!

maybe....

Just Finishing some WW x Skunk#1(Regs) and also some 00 Choco Skunk(Fems)

The WW x Skunk#1 are HUGE!! & Bushy and Nice!! oh god the smell...waffling and the 00 Choco Skunk...the Nugs on this...my 1st grow that isn't Bag Seed and I'm just amazed!! will post some more pics soon, coming into last 1 or 2 of Flowering now..

Typo's...Baked!!

My flower room is 6x10x8 and I run 3000w with 40 plants. Coming from experience, the less plants the better. I used to have 80, but now my yield is more and workload is a fraction.

what ever size light you decide on , get digital ballast. Easier on the electric bill and less heat.

Even if you had 50 1000w digital ballasts verses magnetic there would never be a significant difference that would materialize as a savings in electricity. 1000w is 1000w, period.

IMHO I think Digital are better and more effiecent than Magnetic ones...but each have + and -

But for me if the Budget would allow It would be Digital all the way...each to their own though...


DIGITAL

Slightly Lower electric usage(even if not the stated 25% Less)

Lower Heat

Longer Bulb Life

Longer Ballast life/Warranty(kinda depends on the Brand)

But Like I said both have Pros and Cons...not to mention Price factor..in the UK 3 x 600w Magnetic Ballasts with Bulbs and Reflectors would set you back £195 for Master Blaster Kit anyway..not sure about other Brands..though Omega are pretty good,and cheap

Peace

EDIT: Can Feel A Digital VS Magnetic Debate starting...LOL

I have both kinds and yes there are positives to digital, the main being the heat. But as for extended life of bulb and electric savings its just advertising. All aside, I love the phantom digitals.

Thanks for the info guys. ive been leaning toward digital ballasts.

what size pots do you use and how long do you let them veg

appalachian outlaw said:

what size pots do you use and how long do you let them veg

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which is the real question on what light to buy. and your grow style.

Unless you plan on vegging for 6 months and growing trees, pot size makes no difference in hydro. I use 2" from clone to harvest with an average plant size around 50-54"

superstoner1 said:

Unless you plan on vegging for 6 months and growing trees, pot size makes no difference in hydro. I use 2" from clone to harvest with an average plant size around 50-54"

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and also in peat based soilless pot size makes a huge difference.

And that was a useless bit of info from left field.

I think a switchable ballast(s) would do you well. Start off 3x600w and turn them up as you trellis them. You have a nice option to go lightly or really hammer them with light. I would recommend 3 light sources rather than 2 even if the wattage slightly decreases.