3-150watt hps set-up's or ........

Ok my friend is coming to the end of my grow and wants to upgrade do to me uping the amount of plants that he will be growing going from 4 to 8 girls. His set up now 2 150watt hps set-ups over the top of his 4 and then he has the little 50 watt hps lights hitting them from the sides. He wants to add 1 more 150 watter on top and keep those 50s on the sides I want him to add at least a 250 watter over top and hang the 150s on the sides. Ofcourse more light the better but he is on a budget and wants to try to save where ever he can and the area is not to big about 6ft long and 3 ft wide. So heat would be a issue if he goes to high with the hps. Just seeing what everyone would do if they where in his shoes. In advance he and I thank all on r.I.u for the input.

3x6 area is not small, if it were me i would save for a 1000w provided i have enough height in room. anyway i would not buy another 150w the smaller the light the less lumens more heat per watt they emit. for this area he needs a minimum of 800 watts to flower so i suggest he either get the 1000 or 2 400's or maybe a 600 with the 2 150's next to it.

3x6 is his closet only 18 square ft if u run 3 150 watt hps it comes out to 2,700 lumes per sq ft I have read 2,000 is enough ? Also it would be around 60 watt per plant and that's also enough. I would love for him to upgrade also but the whole money issue for him in every aspect is important. I thought it was good enough to upgrade to a 250hps and have 2 150s on the side and maybe those little 50s he has on the front and back sides .thanks for the input but with the cash being tight there is no way he is going to triple his watts Double maybe I will let everyone know how it all works out.

you have read wrong, 2000 lumens/sq.ft is not enought to flower, you need 5000+. if theres no way he could buy at least a 400 now, then i suggest he shrink his flower area to suit with the 2 150's that is like 2x3 area and save up for the big light, 600 or 1000. i really really REALLY would not recommend gettin a 3rd 150 theyr just not as efficient cost you more yield less

chefgreen said:

3x6 is his closet only 18 square ft if u run 3 150 watt hps it comes out to 2,700 lumes per sq ft I have read 2,000 is enough ? Also it would be around 60 watt per plant and that's also enough. I would love for him to upgrade also but the whole money issue for him in every aspect is important. I thought it was good enough to upgrade to a 250hps and have 2 150s on the side and maybe those little 50s he has on the front and back sides .thanks for the input but with the cash being tight there is no way he is going to triple his watts Double maybe I will let everyone know how it all works out.

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2700 lumens /sqft is a little low. optimum is more around 8000-10000. i would use two 400s in a 3x6 or a 1000 just as zem has suggested. 150s are great for small grows but they put off a lot of heat because the ballast is enclosed in the light also the light penetration on smaller lights is exponentially lower than higher watt lights. also you got to think about efficiency. a 150w is cheaper up front but less efficient in the long run.

Ok sounds about right thanks everyone I'm about at 5,000 lumes per sq ft to flower also and over a 100watts per plant he needs to be closer to me .. very helpful..