Light question, Intensity, distance, effectiveness

I am hoping someone can shed some light (pun intended) or point me to an existing thread that discusses light intensity, distance, and effectiveness.

I have read that a 1000w light will cover a 5x5 to about 6x6 area. The part I am not sure about is distance from the plants and coverage. I assume that the lower the lights are to the plants the less coverage they will provide. so the plants right under the hood will be flooded but the plants on the edge will get less and my coverage goes from 5x5 to ?

So I am wondering if anyone has figured out the best ratio of the lights being close to the plants but still covering a decent area. I have been keeping a about 2.5 feet above the tops to cover a bigger footprint. I am now thinking I am hurting my harvest by having the lights that far away. Any tips or thoughts on this?

I would sell that 1000watter and buy 2 600watters and hang them 30cm above canopy but 1000w is minimum 60cm i could type u out a diagram if u want ot if u have jorges bible page 167 but ya with 1000w shaded sides re a huge problem

Thanks for the reply. I hate to sell the 1000w ... I just got. 1st grow with it. But if that is what makes the most sense I will have to give it some thought. Everyone I talked to b4 I got started told me 1000w was the way to go for the size I had. It would help make the buds more dense than I was getting with my old 400w. I do have the book you suggested. I will have to dig it out and check the page you referenced.

here i will break it down for u 1 1000w does a 6x6foot area well and a 600w does a 4x4ft area but if u have 2 over one 1000w here is how the lumens break down i 1000w at min 60cm=5500-8000lum and 2 600watter = 10800-18000lumens i mean it is clear as mud peace and grow on edit also you can increase your grow are to 8x8feet and no shadows as it has two lighting location so more even canopy of light

Thanks Ledgrowing. I appreciate the breakdown.

Any 1000w light users want to throw their thoughts, experience, etc on distance from plants and area you cover?