adivce on lights please :)

**darrenj** · 07-16-2012, 05:15 AM

hey all ive started my first grow (closet) i was just wondering, whats the best lights to add to a 250w mh, i do not want to worry about heat issues atm its grand ranges from 70-80 could i add cfls with no change ? how much hotter would a 400w hm be than a 250w suggestions/help much appreciated (if more info is needed i have alot more detailed info on my other thread pics too thanks in advance

**ChroniKz** · 07-16-2012, 05:30 AM

you could add some CFL's as side lighting they don't get very hot.

As for how much hotter etc. It all depends on your growing environment.

**darrenj** · 07-16-2012, 05:38 AM

thanks im going to look into getting some cfls guess ill just have to keep a eye on the temp if i get some any idea if, would a 400w be alot hotter than a 250w ? ive checked and my ballast and hood can handle upto 600w

**majek** · 07-16-2012, 06:17 AM

It will be hotter and make the ballast run hot, just get some good ventilation or a cooltube even better. It's not required though I use a 250w HPS from seed to weed.

**Slipon** · 07-16-2012, 06:34 AM

yea much hotter ..

if it is a problem now or you think it might be .. it will most likely be ..

invest the money in a cool tube and a big ventilation if you choose that way ..

I would mostlikely accept what I have and just add some CLFs ... get the 2700K kind to surrport your MH

**darrenj** · 07-16-2012, 06:48 AM

thanks for the reply's heat aint a prob atm its 70-80 atm which i think is good, just dont want more heat as ill have no way of lowering it if i did get high, as cant cut up the closet for vets due to light leak, thanks for the info ill defo get some cfls ill get the 2700k i would of got the 6500 if you hadnt said otherwise thanks

also started a journal feel free to have a look going to be keeping it up to date pics too

**Nitegazer** · 07-16-2012, 06:54 AM

A common myth is that CFLs add less heat than HPS per lumen. CFLs produce less lumens per watt, which means they are less efficient than HPS and produce more heat for the same amount of light. HPS seems hotter, becuase the heat is concentrated in the near point-source of light and because 250w HPS puts out a lot more light than 250w flourescent.

To have the same lumens as a 250w HPS, you would need at least 350 watts of CFLs. Another advantage of HPS is that you could put the ballast outside of room.

If heat is the issue, and you want to maximize lumens, I would recommend going with a 250w HPS on an electronic ballast. If that is too hot, I would go with a 150W HPS, which will give you about the same light as 250w cfls with less heat.

**Slipon** · 07-16-2012, 07:07 AM

I agree with you Nitegazer .. a small HPS was also what I was thinking of fist .. maybe a 150W or another 250W maybe with cool tube ..

but if he dont need/want to add that much light and just want to do a littel extra for a few bucks .. and surrport his MH with some red/yellow light .

a few or 4 small 23W 2700K CLFs around the plant for side lightning might do the trick with very littel heat and cost ..

**darrenj** · 07-16-2012, 01:01 PM

thanks for the reply and info i think ill get my self another ballast and reflector and put a 250w hps in with my 250w that i have on i and see how hot it gets if its too hot ill bring it back and swap it for some cfls the place i get stuff from good and staff are sound, dont think it would be a prob, but would it be ok to plug 2 ballasts into the same extension lead ? as only one outlet in the room and dont want wires coming from other rooms