400w closet grow (tips) please!

**mr.lightgr3en** · 06-16-2012, 07:10 PM

ok so here are the details guys. this is my second grow in my closet. im only using half of my closet so its 3ft(width) 1.1/2ft(deep) 5ft(length)
i am using a 400whps with bat wings (ballast)mh/hps was gonna veg with mh but blew the bulb so gonna settle for cfls. 3 46w/150w replacment cfls.
i am only going to let them get about 5inches high when i switch to 12/12 was gonna do 12/12 from seed but wanted a lil more yield!
i am trying to grow 5 plants under the 400w is that to many plants for it or is it ok?
another thing heat is an issue now my room is really hot do to my location i do have an a/c unit but it doesnt really reach the closet.
i am gonna have 1 exhaust pipe coming out of the closet idk if that will help or not any suggestions. or any tips. on how to keep the closet grow room heat down. and they are bag of seed so dont know the strain.
i would like to know everything thier is to know about growin under a 400whps light and thanks

**monkeybones** · 06-16-2012, 07:30 PM

they will get at least 5 inches high before they start flowering under 12/12 anyhow, but 18/6 will get them there sooner

make sure you've really got the ventilation solid; even in rooms 2-4 times as large as yours, 400w lamps can cause heat issues. for a 400w HPS in a sealed room i recommend at least a 4" in-line duct fan

your HPS will serve you extremely well if you keep the heat down. they are, in my opinion, the best bulb for start to finish growing.

other than that good luck, happy growing

**mr.lightgr3en** · 06-16-2012, 07:32 PM

so as soon as they sprout i put them on 18/6 i heard that i put them on 24hr. for 2 days then switch?
on my last grow i did do 18/6.
and were can i get a 4' in-line fan at?
yea i bet it can get hot to make it worse its just bat wings no hood

**monkeybones** · 06-16-2012, 07:34 PM

18/6 off the bat is plenty. 24 hours is unnatural and I would only do it with non-photosensitive autoflowering plants, as well as for rooting clones

yeah, HID lamps get fucken hot

metal halides can explode and send shards thousands of degrees Fahrenheit flying through the air

HPS are close behind but don't explode

**mr.lightgr3en** · 06-16-2012, 07:38 PM

kool man thanks. ill get one of those fans tommorow..
how many inches away do i keep the 400watter from the plants?

**georgyboy** · 06-16-2012, 07:38 PM

you can find in-line fans all over the internet, do a google search. They are also at all hydro shops and even some large hardware stores (my lowes has some powerful duct fans) IMO 24hr light is unnatural but I have heard you get faster growth this way. Don't change your light schedule a bunch of times though, pick either 24/0 or 18/6 or 19.73/4.27 and stick with it until you switch to 12/12.