im kinda in the same boat as you.. i have an area that i use to grow in that is about three feet wide, two and a half deep, and about six or so tall, and have been using a 250 watt hps and mh for my last ten or so grows, but wanted to move up to a 400 watter to see if i could increase my yeilds.. i went to my local hydro store, and my super honest hydro owner told me that if i didn't have atleast a 3x3 area, there really was no need for a 400 watter.. after thinking his advice over, i went online and saw those nice new digital ballasts that are dimmeable.. some you can run from a 600 watter to a 1k watt with the same ballast..
i decided to go with the 400 watt dimeable, that allows me to run a 250 or a 400 watt hps or mh.. i am only vegging right now, and am only using the 250 mh as we speak, but i'm planning on switching over to the 400 watter once i start flowering.
this might be a nice option for you as well.. you can use the smaller watt when temps are high or when the plants are smaller, and switch over to the bigger watts when the plants can use the added light..
.. I'm thinking a 400 watt might be too much for this grow area... What do you guys think???
