630w CMH for a beginner?

OldMedUser said:

I'm of the mind that penetration isn't the big deal for most tent growers as they train their plants to an even canopy using a variety of techniques and lollipop the lower stuff anyway.

If all you have is the one 630 then when you have fewer plants you are stuck using it. Wastes a lot of power and light tho the fewer plants will likely do better there is still a lot wasted.

Our power here is 23.5¢/KWH and about 90% of my cost to grow bud. I veg my plants under fluoros until they are about 8" tall before I fire up a 400MH and then only if I have enough plants to need it. I still use an 8 tube 4' T12 fixture I built 17 years ago. I wired it so I can use 2, 4, 6 or all 8 tubes but If I need all 8 then it's using 360+ watts so might as well use the 400. I see guys using a 600 for tiny seedlings and think they are either living somewhere where power is dirt cheap or free, rich as f'k or dumber than a bag of hammers.

I just checked and have my 400 only 6" away from the tops and they are doing fine. About 2' plants and the bottom growth is good too.

I have 3 - 400w hps ballasts and will use one with smaller plants then two as they get bigger where sometimes I wish I had a 600 or two but can run all 3 if needed or switch to a 1000W when I got lots going. Have a conversion bulb to get MH light off an HPS ballast if I need more MH light tho my Hortilux Super HPS has enough blue light to veg well along with the MH bulb.

I find most hobby growers like myself are on a pretty low budget so getting one 315 then adding another when they scrounge up the cash works better for many as well. Once you get a few oz in the jars it's easier to save money for more gear too.

A Light Rail® is a great addition to many gardens too and I love mine. At around $300 it cost as much as a 1000W light but can make one light do the work of two and as it only uses 9W pays for itself after one decent grow. Made in Colorado too so not some cheap Chinese knockoff that will die in a couple years.

Just my 2¢.

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NugHeuser said:

The problem is 630s are good for 4x4, 5x5 ar max. So you are under lighted.
I would either put them on a light mover or go with the 4 315s.

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ColoradoHighGrower said:

I've actually read that a lot and experienced this during my last run: biggest and potentially even the frostiest colas along the edge os the light footprint, say at 75-50% full par.. i don't think they were dense, so perhaps allowed to stretch out a little more during flower? Not sure if less degredation of trichomes?

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ColoradoHighGrower said:

For sure- i think it also has to do with jealousy. put a bunch of ladies in one room together, and they start getting all gussied up trying to out-do the others... it's always the one you least expect that wins most improved.

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OldMedUser said:

High rama108

A 630 would do nicely but I would prefer two 315s so I had the option of just using one at a time if I didn't need full power. Cost a lot more I imagine tho. You would have better coverage in a 4x5 with two smaller lights than one big one as well.

I use CFLs and now a DIY LED bulb rig for vegging small plants then up the power to a 400W MH until they get a nice size then into the flower room under a 1000W Hortilux Super HPS. Wishing I had a 600W to fill the gap but I get by.

I have 3 - 400W HPS ballasts as well as the 400MH and 2 - 1000W. One MH only and one MH/HPS. All are older magnetic coil and core ballasts.

Power is expensive here too so if I had no lights I'd probably be doing a DIY COB setup. Lots of good info here how to do it and they save a lot of juice and still grow great pot. My flower room is down in the basement where it's always cool so I don't need A/C which saves a bunch. That's something for you to consider as well.

I'm not sure about the 315s whether you can get the separate parts or have to buy the hood/ballast combo units. I prefer separate parts so the hood is much lighter and I can have the ballast outside the grow room to cut down a bit on heat. I often use my light rail to extend the area a light can cover and tho it can handle the weight it should last longer with just a lightweight open hood and bulb hanging off it.

With the CMH you have both a grow and bloom bulb in one so you save a bit there. If you get it, get a spare bulb too if you can. Sux waiting for a replacement if a bulb blows.

I found a great spot to download FREE POT BOOKS. I downloaded a grow bible first and got lots more. Books look great and complete like the real ones I have here. No web site but just a page of links. Just right click on what you want and then "Save Link As" to download so they don't open first as some are 50+ megs. They got lots. Enjoy.

Good luck and good growing!

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JMcG said:

Does anyone have any experience with the Nanolux DE 630 CMH fixtures?
I have had four running for just three runs now and I’ve burnt out two bulbs. Got a warranty replacement for the first one that burnt up at eight months. Second just blew two weeks past the warranty.

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JMcG said:

Does anyone have any experience with the Nanolux DE 630 CMH fixtures?
I have had four running for just three runs now and I’ve burnt out two bulbs. Got a warranty replacement for the first one that burnt up at eight months. Second just blew two weeks past the warranty.

Click to expand...

JMcG said:

Does anyone have any experience with the Nanolux DE 630 CMH fixtures?
I have had four running for just three runs now and I’ve burnt out two bulbs. Got a warranty replacement for the first one that burnt up at eight months. Second just blew two weeks past the warranty.

Click to expand...