Yields...400HPS vs 600HPS...Opinions Please

I have been a outdoor grower for several years but only started indoors about 8 months ago. I currently have a cabinet that is 3.5 ft X 3ft X 7ft and I use a 400HPS. I am doing a perpetual grow in soil with White Widow...AK47...Afghan Kush.

I don't sell my herb and only grow it for a couple of patients (in a non friendly MM state) and myself. My yields are about 1-1.5 OZ's per plant and the quality is very good.

My question is...how much better would my yields be if I changed to a 600HPS? I have a big enough fan (Vortex 454 CFM) to not only cool my light but to clean my air as well. I would go with a cool tube reflector.

Would I see a big difference between the 2 lights to justify the cost? I really don't have alot of issues right now, I am just wanting to tweek my current rig. I figured with all the experience at RIU, you all would help answer this question. Rep to those that help!

i think the lumen is nearly double on the 600 over the 400 much denser and larger buds id do it

ganjaman13 said:

i think the lumen is nearly double on the 600 over the 400 much denser and larger buds id do it

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You are right about the lumens. However, can you reach a saturation point when it comes to lumens? If so, what is that amount. I have always worked under the assumption that 7500 lumens per sq foot is the standard. What is the optimal amount of lumens per sq foot?

cant help with that but i use 600 in a 3.5 sq and never had any bleaching problems

i would say go with the 600 if you can keep temps under 75-80 degrees F. if the temp is easier to maintain with the 400 i would say stick with that because over 80 the buds get airy and lanky.

from what research i've done your better off getting a 1000watt light they are better for the plants and cheaper than a 600watt light.

i doubt you could keep a 1000 cool in your space rockytop

yea a 1000watter gets pretty warm, sorry i didn't see the dementions. but a 600 will put some heat off too.

from what research i've done your better off getting a 1000watt light they are better for the plants and cheaper than a 600watt light.

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How does that work ? wouldn't the 600 be almost half the electricity bill ?

Just curious.

it would be a few cents a hour extra. but a 1000w would make some big tight nuggets of love.

Great input guys, thanks and +rep to all. I thought going with a 600HPS would be the way to go and I think I can control the heat. With that said, what is the best reflector out there as far as venting out heat? Is a cool tube better than a easy cool or is it the other way around?

Again, thanks to all for the help. I will be popping some Kali Mist this weekend and I plan on the upgrade before I flower the Kali.

I'd go with a 600w. If you use a cooltube and that fan you can def keep your box cool and keep the lights quite close.

PS check your PM plz

I think you guys have helped make the decision for me to upgrade to a 600HPS. What is the best reflector that I should be looking at? I will be buying my new light within the next few weeks and want to get the forums opinion on what seems to best available. Thanks again for the positive input.

I have the same debate going on. I am legal so i not so worried about power. have a 400 for now and want to upgrade badly. A lumatel digi 600 is what i might get off ebay but i not sure if it worth it and maybe i should just go to a 1000. I have a 4x4x6.5 space and heat is a big deal. But with the 400 i also have a 460 cfm inline and a duct booster so i think i could keep the 600 beneath 80 except on the hottest days without air.

hey go COOLUBE! I regret getting htg alternative for the same price the eurohood.

I use a 400w in my 2x2x6' grow area. A 400w gives a 3'x3' optimum coverage and with a cool tube reflector I grow 7 plants and I can keep my temps at 78-80F at about 5 or 6 " from plant tops. (40,000lumen MH, 45000lumen HPS.

Eharmony420 said:

hey go COOLUBE! I regret getting htg alternative for the same price the eurohood.

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Does the cool tube give a big enough "footprint'? I have been told that the ONE drawback of the cooltube is the fact it doesn't reflect a very big area. Can you give me your opinion on that?