does anyone know how far you can move a light before it moves to far but get the most out of the system. I am going to be using a 1000W bulb, and would like to get it to cover the most area possible. just not sure what the math is that makes it all work out for the best.

Thanks

you can only move it as far as the rail goes.... which i think are usually 6 ft sections... so anywhere between that... they do have extentions you can buy i believe....

but, i think to answer your question, this is what you want to know.. if you are going to use a mover make it move from one end of the grow to the next... so it covers end to end....

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i think i wrote my question wrong. i guess what im saying is that if i have a light on a rail that is 16" long, i think it would leave my plants in the dark for to long before the light came back around to hit them again. so har far is the furthest i can go on a rail, before the distance starts to affect my crop in a negative way rather than a positive way.

thanks for your help.

I have my 1000W HPS suspended about 1 foot above my canopy and it moves a full 6 ft back and forth. Basically you have to find your own balance, where all of your plants are getting enough light, but not getting burned. Different strains can take different amounts of heat and light. Do you know what strain you have?
Normally you wouldn't want such a powerful light so close to your canopy, but if it only passes over for a few seconds every minute or so, it can deliver much higher intensity light in bursts. This is what makes light movers efficient, they allow lights to be hung closer AND cover more area.
I personally believe that light movers also contribute to plant health by giving them a short rest (like cloud cover on a sunny day) inbetween bursts of intense light along with a shifting point source of light, which allows for deeper penetration of the canopy.

I wouldn't move a 400W light more than about 3 feet back and forth, a 600W could span about 5, and a 1000W could cover up to about 9.
Also, canopy management becomes very important with light movers; it would be wise to familiarize yourself with FIM, LST, Supercropping, and general pruning techniques.
If you are using a 16" rail, you don't even have to worry about the plants not getting enough light, 16" is less than some reflectors span.

If you describe some of your setup in more detail, I may be able to give you some more specific advice, if you like...

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The day that you think you know everything is the day that you start to fall behind.

well,

I have 10 by 15 foot room. I would like to have a veg room with a T5 and a flower room with a 1000w light mover covering as much space as possible. Im thinking that an 8" duct canopy would be the best fit. The reason for the T5 and 8" duct is to get me started with the idea of not needing AC or coolers. i should have pretty good temp control without their uses. im also trying to get the most bang for my buck at the lowest start up rate i can. im planning on a soil opperation. i think thats about all i can think of. I have been in the planning for only about 3 weeks now. but want to make sure i am as educated as possible before i get started. if my planning goes well, i hope not to ruin any crops on the first try. but we all know how that goes. i fell the first time i got on a bike. and i looked at that things for weeks before i rode it.

anyway, this is what i seem to be the best. My room is pretty big. i believe i should be able to add a second light in the future no problem. not 100% sure though. and i have little ventilation. so my temps should stay fairly consistant, and i should have pretty good control of the climate with added controlled ventilation.

feel free to pick me apart in every way and let me know what you think is good, and bad. i am allllllllllll ears. or eyes i guess.

Thanks again.

i will be starting with some clones off a blueberry plant by the way.

the distance from the plants makes a difference because if it's higher up then they'll all get light longer, but it won't be as intense. I'd cut my rail in to 8' sections and get another mover if you can. If not 8' than 6' sec. Not sure on the sizes available

how about a recomended hood for the most light spread?

I'm not sure man. You would have to look it up. htgsupply.com

ok here is my plan.

flower room:

-Digital Electronic 1000 watt HPS Grow Light System
-CoolTube 8 Reflector + $58.00
-Grow Bright 1000w HPS Bulb
-Light Rail 3.5
-8" CAP Valueline Fan
-Blower / Fan Speed Control

Veg Room:

-SylverStar 4 Foot 4 Lamp High Output T5 With Choice of Bulbs
-Mixed - 2 Bloom (3000K) Bulb And 2 Grow (6400K) Bulb

$1192 with shipping.

how does it look? please be as honest as possible. if you think im a retard, let me know. if im on te right track. let me know. you guys have all been very helpful.

Thank you