Originally Posted by OregonMeds

Need pictures to see what's wrong but I'm guessing you had your 400w lights a little too far away or something like that. But... If you have high electric costs a 600 or 1kw light would pay for itself instantly in both electric savings and mucho higher yield every single run. (Well a 1k would be slightly higher electic but so very worth the little difference from two 400's.)


400's just don't have the power to create weight like the larger lights. Two 400's burn way more power than one 600 but will always yield way less than a 600. Ditch the little lights and next time just post a journal with pictures along the way so we can advise as you go too.

Originally Posted by respawned

So I only got about 160 grams dried growing under two 400 watt hps bulbs in 4 bubblers. I planted 4 plants in each bubbler (16 total) and they grew like crazy so I was expecting more, at least 300 to 400.

Some more info, strain is ice, grown in 1 meter by 2.1 meter space with excellent ventilation and acceptable temps. Vegged for about 2 weeks under 400 watt MH, only real problem was nute burn which happened more than once. Also certain plants grew much quicker than others, basically taking over and stunting thier neighbours. I did chop a lot of lower branches before budding but there was still lots of stretching of and half formed buds that never saw the light.

I am making some changes for the next grow like adding a mesh for low stress growing and I also ordered some Misty and Chronic seed which are supposed to be good yeilders.

Our electricity where I live just went up 34% and is going up again by 40% so I really need to optimise, any advice or insight would be much appreciated.

Originally Posted by HomeGrownHairy

I'd veg 4 to 5 weeks, regardless of height. You can still prune them to keep them shorter and get them thicker and they will have more colas. The shorter time you veg, the less yield you'll get.
A digital ballast get's you 30% more effective use of your HID's

Originally Posted by respawned

I never realized how much better a 600 or 1000 watter is. I suppose I could sell my ballasts and replace them if it's going to make such a big difference. I never started a journal because I'm a bit paranoid but may just do that, thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by OregonMeds

...this is what you are missing out on.

Originally Posted by OregonMeds

It's just dirt, longer veg time obviously. Oh and technically it's not even a true 1kw or a really good growing bulb. It's a 940w general purpose HPS conversion bulb in a metal halide magnetic warehouse style ballast.

Originally Posted by respawned

I am also using warehouse style ballasts, work out a lot cheaper to purchase. Problem is the biggest I can get is 400, currently I have 7 of them I paid the equivalent to $60 each brand new and $10 for a philips bulb which is a LOT cheaper than our local grow shop.