What kind of lights do I need?

Hey guys. Been reading a lot and thought I would post the question thats been bugging me the most and maybe a couple of other question. So, here we go.

I'm not wanting to grow much. The most I would like to grow would probably be 6 plants, in soil. I know what I need to know about germination and nutrients and such.

The space I'm going to be growing in will probably bee around 4ft wide, around 2 ft deep, and height I dont know what I need in height. I dont want the plants outgrowing my box. I will be building it myself so what height would be suitable?

Would one 400 hps be good enough for 4-6 plants? And would I need anything other than that throughout any of the stages of growth?

xtremehunter82 said:

Would one 400 hps be good enough for 4-6 plants? And would I need anything other than that throughout any of the stages of growth?

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That would be fine. If you veg your clones/seedlings with 6500K light it will keep the height down. Not essential though. I like to use 6500K CFLs so that I extend the life of my HPS bulb.

frmrboi said:

That would be fine. If you veg your clones/seedlings with 6500K light it will keep the height down. Not essential though. I like to use 6500K CFLs so that I extend the life of my HPS bulb.

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Are you saying just use CFL's during the veg stage and then the HPS during flowering? or Use CFL's and the HPS together throughout the whole process?

Thanks.

Brick Top,

That is exactly what I have been looking at. Pretty good light set-up I'm guessing? At 165 bucks, that is not a problem for me at all, might buy another one as a backup lol.

xtremehunter82 said:

Are you saying just use CFL's during the veg stage and then the HPS during flowering? or Use CFL's and the HPS together throughout the whole process?

Thanks.

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That is what many here will say but regardless of what they say it is not the best option to pick. Many here use CLF’s made for illuminating rooms and hang numbers of them above and around plants with light cords/extension cords running all over and all the outlets in a room filled up and plugged into power strips and with all that if they keep ther CFL’s close enough they will just have adequate lighting.

But one light, a HPS with a conversion bulb and you will have your lighting needs fully covered.

That is unless you would prefer to duplicate the penny ante nickel and dime beer budget Rub Goldberg ghetto grows that so many here have slapped together after hitting the local Lowes or Home Depot home improvement stores or WalMart.

xtremehunter82 said:

Brick Top,

That is exactly what I have been looking at. Pretty good light set-up I'm guessing? At 165 bucks, that is not a problem for me at all, might buy another one as a backup lol.

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What I would suggest is take the standard unit and upgrade to one of the higher grade reflective hoods and then save the rest of your money for other things you will need and higher quality genetics to grow.

I know some people here have had a ballast die on them but I have never had that happen so while it is possible it will, still I don’t worry about it. What is far more likely to stop working is a bulb, and that is normally not often, and with a conversion setup you can always switch to the other bulb until you can replace the one that goes out. So for what is most likely to be what stops working you have a backup already in place. But if you want two buy two.

Yea, I know its not, but it seems that these CFL set ups look like an explosion waiting to happen with all the plugs and wires and shyt.

I'm gonna go with that HPS/MH set up. It's best to start from the top.

xtremehunter82 said:

Are you saying just use CFL's during the veg stage and then the HPS during flowering? or Use CFL's and the HPS together throughout the whole process?

Thanks.

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I use the CFLs throughout, overhead for seedlings and clones and as sidelights when flowering, I add some warm whites then too. (No explosions or fires yet either BTW, heheh)

what upgraded option would be the best as far as reflector hoods when growning in a 3X3X5 tent? I think i am going to buy this lighting setup linked above from HTG and maybe upgrade to the easy cool 6 relector hood. i would assume that 6" ducting is supose to connect to each side for ventilating? am i on the right track here?