wasted light and plant spacing

I have a 4x4 tent, oversized so 4.5x4.5...
there was just a 1000 hps watt in there, I added a 400 mh.

Im thinking if light hits the floor alot, its wasted. Makes sense... but packed too clsoe together for plants isnt good either, all the lower branches wont be that worthwhile.
I just added the 400, I was wondering what people thought about spacing.

I have 12 plants in there right now, about 2-3 ft tall, 9 in 2 gallons and 3 in 1 gallons.

my question is, or my plan is, to add 6-12 plants in 1 gallon containers under the 400mh, all packed to gether, and move the rest closer to gether under the 1000. right now there is a decent ammount of space between the plants, not a ton, but Im thinking it would be a good idea...

any input? I dont want to lose in yield because I pack the ones in 2 gallons too close.

As long as your keeping them from touching real close where the leaves overlap humidity forms. Keep air moving and keep it clean . And yes pack I. The one gallons and spread out the twos as they get large

24 plants in a 4x4 sounds packed!

burrr said:

24 plants in a 4x4 sounds packed!

Click to expand...

ya i was thinking adding 2 rows of three in the corner, right under the 400 mh for the first duration. all the ones in there now are 2-3 weeks or so in.
ill add at least the best 6 in gallon pots, after cutting the top and waiting for two more to come up for 2 colas. I dont have much knowledge on lst or that type of stuff. I will prob let em veg for 2 weeks or 3 at the most. So the other ones will be a few weeks off finishing, while the new additions will boost up in a burst under hid instead of the cfl and t8s there under now.
idk I just feel like light hitting the floor is a waste!

burrr said:

24 plants in a 4x4 sounds packed!

Click to expand...

It does sound tight, almost twice the norm (1 per sq. ft @ 12 to18 inch height). But hey, if it works, keep on truckin'.

dont have much sog experience. Thats why i wanted a minimun area sort of trial space. Prob do 3x2, 6 gallon pots in a rectangle space in the corner under the 400 directly, but i bet they get some light from the 1000w still....