When is a 600 too much?

I am going to be using a 4' x 2.5' x 6.5' cabinet and I am under the assumption that 400w lights just will not create the kind of buds I am looking for so I would like to use a 600 with dimmable ballast.

I know cooling will be an issue but will the greater light intensity produce bigger, denser yields?

I'm running a 600w and a ton of side lighting in a 3x4x6.5 area and it seems to be working great. I would go with the 600 over the 400.

Great deal here for what I would recommend - http://www.urbansunshine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=233_373_375&products_id=18512

Votes between Cool Tube, Super Sun II, Cool Sun, Spartan, or Blockbuster reflectors? Quantum v.s. Lumatek v.s. other?

That's the real bummer about buying equipment of this nature is that it's really difficult to find folks who have experience with many types of equipment. I also couldn't find any review sites on the stuff either. The good thing is that most of the products in the industry have decent warranties.

Ya I second that. It seems you must pick your path and roll with it... For me, I must ponder the intracacies of each variance to feel good about my chosen fate lol.

Wereworg said:

I know cooling will be an issue but will the greater light intensity produce bigger, denser yields?

Click to expand...

yes but only if all the other needs of the plant are met.-if a 400 watt light keeps your temps in the low 80s but the 600 pushes you over 90,you would be better w/ the 400.

coreyb760 posted this on our 600 Club thread....may be helpful for you.

Specs And Comparisons For 600w HPS Bulbs

psshht! I think I am between the Lumatek with its PAR and the Digilux with its total lumens for bulbs assuming the ratings are 100% accurate and I have heard that the Hortilux is not worth it... I think cuz of reduced intensity for increased spectrum. I'm planning on using some suplemental flo lighting and experimenting with DIY LED set-ups down the road so thats where I will balance the spectrum. I just want my HID to put as much usable light onto the plants as efficiently as possible...

I am dead center between Lumatek ballast and Quantum but am leaning towards the Luma. I wondered if there were other worthy competitors for title of "My Ballast" but I got tired or researching today so maybe if you guys know anything about that it'd be helpful.

mrmadcow said:

yes but only if all the other needs of the plant are met.-if a 400 watt light keeps your temps in the low 80s but the 600 pushes you over 90,you would be better w/ the 400.

Click to expand...

Yes I have begun to solve the cooling issue without spending thousands on A/C units. Got alot of things flying around in my head and I will let you guys know what I think when I am more solid on it. It would be nice (I think) to do a recirculating sys. just so it is all self contained but I may be moving away from that. How though, would I utilize odor elimination if I just ran cool external air through the light then exhausted it, and, there's always the CO2 that needs to stay in place...

Wereworg said:

How though, would I utilize odor elimination if I just ran cool external air through the light then exhausted it, and, there's always the CO2 that needs to stay in place...

Click to expand...

if you are using outside air going through a cooltube or sealed fixture and venting outside,you should not have to worry about odor from the light.-use your fan to push air into the light so any leaks will blow the fresh air into the cab instead of sucking stinky air from cab into light.