Question re: upgraded lighting

Antisocial Extrovert

Well-Known Member
I had a bulb go out and I used it as an opportunity to upgrade my lighting from 400w to 600w. With the 400w, I use a 18/6 veg light cycle; equating to 7200w being emitted during the time the lights are on. Plant has been vegging for 4.5 weeks. What I’m wanting to know is if it would be advisable for me to run the 600w on a 16/8 instead of 18/6 considering that the total amount of light being used is around 9600w on the shorter light cycle? Any negative impacts regarding growth and/or stress?

Maybe I’m comparing apples to oranges but logic is telling me that although the light period would be shorter, my plant will still receive “more” lighting due to the increased light intensity of the 600w. Any feedback is welcomed. Thanks!
 

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Kerovan

Well-Known Member
No, you still want to run 18/6. The more light the the better the plants will grow with shorter internodes and thicker and stronger stems.
 

Antisocial Extrovert

Well-Known Member
Thanks for stopping by Kerovan. I understand the premise of “more light the better” but as I stated in my original post, the 600w would produce “more light” on a 16/8 schedule than an 18/6 schedule with a 400w. I’m basing that off of the amount of wattage used during lights on. I’m trying to increase my efficiency without losing growth and dismissing no yields.
 

ScoobyDoo90

Well-Known Member
If the light schedules are flipped like that then i would assume that the Growth would be the same since its just a 2hr diff, i would just go with the 400 for the 18/6 that way its more like nature, if you dont want to run the 600 at 18/6 for electricity or heat or etc.
 

Kerovan

Well-Known Member
Thanks for stopping by Kerovan. I understand the premise of “more light the better” but as I stated in my original post, the 600w would produce “more light” on a 16/8 schedule than an 18/6 schedule with a 400w. I’m basing that off of the amount of wattage used during lights on. I’m trying to increase my efficiency without losing growth and dismissing no yields.
600W for 18/6 will give you larger yield than 400 at 18/6 or 600 at 16/8 so you are still better off since the plants will grow more. More hours of dark time will cause the plants to stretch just a little more. These are just my opinions though. I would never go less than 18/6 in veg regardless of lighting. You should do whatever makes you happy.
 

ScoobyDoo90

Well-Known Member
This may be true, their is a max out on the actual amount the plant can absorb and convert so just loading in watts to lower time on to 14/10 would not be wise, that is not what OP is asking but my two cents, Dont see on the small diff of 200w and 2Hr's why would go with 600 because of lost Money in my opinion,
 

Serva

Well-Known Member
He never asked for 14/10, never did I suggested... What I pointed out is, that the same DLI means, that the plants had the same amount of energy to do photosynthesis. So 16/8 may work, as long the genetic is fine with it. I have motherplants, because of them I do 20/4, because they started flowering under 18h. So you can‘t say it‘s not working at all, because this is not based on any science. Science tells you, yes it is both possible 18/6 and 16/8 to achieve same DLI = photosynthesis. But someone already mentioned, that darkness also defines node spacing, and stuff like that. OP probably won‘t achieve max DLI with 600W anyways, so beside maybe you need a plant every 8 weeks at point, I don‘t see a reason doing 16/8, but it‘s wrong just to say NO. 18/6 600W will just be faster now than 18/6 400W, so in the end, the operating costs will be the same.
 

Ryante55

Well-Known Member
Thanks for stopping by Kerovan. I understand the premise of “more light the better” but as I stated in my original post, the 600w would produce “more light” on a 16/8 schedule than an 18/6 schedule with a 400w. I’m basing that off of the amount of wattage used during lights on. I’m trying to increase my efficiency without losing growth and dismissing no yields.
If you want more bud for less power go led...running more watts of hps won't make your grow use less watts...it seems like that's what your asking maybe I just don't understand the question
 

Antisocial Extrovert

Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the replies. The point on internode spacing wasn’t lost; I was just thinking in terms of efficiency. From what I gathered, I won’t be gaining/losing by switching to 16/8 with the 600. I read somewhere that the plants actually grow in the dark period (wasn’t specified if stretching was meant by growth FYI) and receive the tools needed to grow during the lights on period which is why I was thinking stronger light + increased dark period = better growth...does that sound right?
 

Ryante55

Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the replies. The point on internode spacing wasn’t lost; I was just thinking in terms of efficiency. From what I gathered, I won’t be gaining/losing by switching to 16/8 with the 600. I read somewhere that the plants actually grow in the dark period (wasn’t specified if stretching was meant by growth FYI) and receive the tools needed to grow during the lights on period which is why I was thinking stronger light + increased dark period = better growth...does that sound right?
No one does this because it most likely won't work try it let us know. I'm still not sure what your trying to do save power? More growth? Either way your talking in terms of pennies if your right you might save $5-$10 on a grow if your wrong you might lose a whole grow.
 

Antisocial Extrovert

Well-Known Member
No one does this because it most likely won't work try it let us know. I'm still not sure what your trying to do save power? More growth? Either way your talking in terms of pennies if your right you might save $5-$10 on a grow if your wrong you might lose a whole grow.
Yeah I was trying to save power but I did the math and it's not that much of a difference to where I would try something new. Not worth the hassle actually. Definitely not interested in possibly losing a grow considering I'm only doing 1 plant this go around. Thanks for your input.
 
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