What size of area do hps make useable?
- Thread starter wk420
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fureelz
Guest
bricktop is more accurate..it also has to do with how high your light is off the ground 
mrduke
Well-Known Member
I'dhave to disagree. A 1000 will never cover 8x8 you might get 6x6 but 5x5 will produce much betterbricktop is more accurate..it also has to do with how high your light is off the ground
Brick Top
New Member
I tend to use information about grow light coverage from a place called PlantLighting Hydroponics. The information they provide is pretty much in the middle of what I have seen elsewhere and in the wattages of lights I have used they seem to be very close to being accurate so I assume for those wattage lights that are lower or higher than the ones I have used that they are most likely at least close to being equally accurate.
But what do I know about growing? Ive only done it for roughly 37 years now so it is not as if I have much experience or anything.
desert fox
Well-Known Member
a good rule of thumb is 50 watts min per sq ft. You can go as high as 100 watts per sq ft. Anything over that is over kill and will probobly get less yeild. I am running a 400 in a 20X30 cabinet. I could have went with a 250 and be plenty happy, but it wasn't much more money for the 400 and I just had to beef up my exaust fan to take the heat. all and all a win win situation. More light, more gas exchange, more bud, and most of the equipment can be re used if I decide to go bigger.
i like 40 watts/sq. ft. Its the most economical use of juice/per yield in the average setup (no CO2). Over that is nice... but if area isn't a limiting factor then i'd use the lights at 40 for a bigger footprint (and larger grow area).
I've found that you can grow well enough in a 6x6 area with a 1000w stationary... so long as the walls are right next to the plants around the grow area. 5x5 is very uniform growth. And you can get a 6x8 if there is another HPS down the line from it. Right now I use 5x5 though.
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I've found that you can grow well enough in a 6x6 area with a 1000w stationary... so long as the walls are right next to the plants around the grow area. 5x5 is very uniform growth. And you can get a 6x8 if there is another HPS down the line from it. Right now I use 5x5 though.
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Jtoth3ustin
Well-Known Member
how far do you keep it away from the tops of your plants.. im havin some major probs with my leafs from too much light, and its about 3 foot away from tops right now... Pe@ce..
RandyRocket
Well-Known Member
My 430 watt covers 3'-6" x 3'-9" very nice.
at 3 feet away... lightburn isn't the problem. so ur either having heat / water / or nutrient issues.
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bigboy6801
Active Member
I have a 5'ft x 2' ft closet how much lights would you recommened, first time grower.
9inch bigbud
Well-Known Member
you would be better off with 2 small lights rather than 1 large lamp. 5 x 2 x 50watts per sq foot = 500w i would go for 2 x 250w lamps for better light covarage and it will be easyer to keep cool with 2 smaller lamps than one large lamp also the added bonus of being able to place the 2 smaller lamps closer to the plant tops. it may cost you more to buy 2 light, but it will pay for its self with in 1 grow.
9inch bigbud
Well-Known Member
if you have the room go for the bigger lamp it will save money over the long tearm i.e less lights to buy. the buds will look bigger under the 400 watt than a 250 but the 2 x 250 will grow more smaller buds over more space, lets say 1/2 the size buds, but more over a larger area than the 400w.
4 x 250w hps will be better than a 1000w hps it will give better covarage i.e directly under a 1000w lamp lets say you get cola's 12" then as you move out from under the light lets say 2 feet your cola's will be 6" and move out even ferther 3" ect... the 4 x 250 for e.g will grow 6" cola's but more of them over a the same space garden as the 1000w you would have more bud but smaller in size.
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fureelz
Guest
Oh ya and EXPERIENCE is KNOWLEDGE.