Cool tubes

I will be using 8 x 600 watt hps (may move up to 1000 watt later) in a 12 x 20 room in a northern climate. I will also have a 24,000 btu mini split A/C. Do I need to use cool tubes? What are the disadvantages to using them. The summer temps around here average 75-80 degrees but can be a little hotter for short periods of time. I am growing in an insulated garage. I would still like to use LEDs for their low power use, low heat etc.. but don't want to spend all that money on lights that I am not sure of. So many people slag the LEDs.Thanks

Comments anyone??

If You have enough money go with air cooled hoods instead.

inline cooling tubes have smoother airflow thus quieter and probably a must if you're going to use an air filter

Cheaper to pump air thru tubes than run ac full blast.

What is the difference between air cooled hoods and cool tubes? I thought it was the same thing

One has a tube with the light, the other has an enclosed hood.

The lights I am looking at are 600w with 90,000 lumems. Is this good? I was reading about some lights yesterday and they were all in the 145,000- 150,000 range so 90,000 seems a little low. Here is a link to the lights I am looking at, any comments would be appreciated http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/grq/3116220502.html

Cool tubes are cheaper, lighter and more heat efficient than hoods, hoods can create hot spots in the corners. Hoods give better light spread than cool tubes but I overcame this using a couple of dutch barn reflectors on each cool tube, works a treat for me.

The penetration of cool tubes are crap tbh air cooled hoods are better

i have used both and i like the tubes more...

I ran a cooltube during my last grow and I wasn't impressed. The inside of the tube was always getting dusty, the reflector was more of a pain than it was worth and I don't notice much difference in cooling between it and my air cooled hood with no glass. From what I have read and been told is anything between your bulb and plant will reduce light efficiency, dust included.

DubVitals said:

The penetration of cool tubes are crap tbh air cooled hoods are better

Click to expand...

The penetration from my cool tube was great to be honest. You can look at my journals for reference.

penetration?

lol

.... the foot print and light spread is bad.. nothing to do with penetration though.

Something like a magnum xxxl air cooled hood will give you much better light spread than the cooltubes.
Cooltubes are fine for smaller spaces..

DubVitals said:

The penetration of cool tubes are crap tbh air cooled hoods are better

Click to expand...

A mushroom filter on the intake helps keep the cooltube clean inside. 7-9% decrease in light I believe but you can get them closer than an open bulb.