Is a HLG 600 R-Spec too much for a 3x3 or 3x4 tent?

[chuey316]

Just what the title says. I have a 3x4 that I currently use a 3x3 area of for plants with the other 1x3 as space for my humidifier and a shelf to hold various things like amendments. I am currently using a 400w mh/hps and have been thinking about picking up a Mars Hydro FC-E3000 for $200, but I came across a HLG 600 R-Spec locally for $150.

I know that the HLG 600 R-Spec is more powerful with a more center "hot spot" and from what I've read does not span the light out as evenly as the Mar Hydro light, but the price is definitely good.

Will this light work well in my tent dialed down a bit, or am I just asking for stressed out plants? I'm sure I could always upgrade to a bigger tent as well, but the 3x3 area that I use provides more than enough for my consumption, I just want denser flower than what the 400w hps gives me.

May be worth noting that I will use either light with an automated system that can dial the intensity up or down based on the readings from a par sensor located at the canopy level.

 

[MercDod]

Do you fill out the entire 3x3 area with the plant or just a 2x2 area of the 3x3? If you fill out the entire 3x3 area, that gives you 33.3 watts per square foot with the Marshydro which will work but is slightly under the recommendations. Also keep in mind one wall of the tent will not be reflecting as much light back towards the plant (the wall farthest away). If the plant is only using a 2x2 area then the mars is more than enough for one plant. The HLG will have plenty of light but you will probably have to raise it more to get a more uniformed dispersion of light which will consume more power and create more heat because as you said it has a hot spot in the middle and drops off a lot at the outsides. Marshydro is a pain if something goes wrong and takes a long time to correct based on personal experience but I loved the one I had (TS-3000, 480 watts).

Im not so sure you would get a denser flower as your wattage is going down 100 watts (400 watts HPS vs 300 watts LED) but I never used a MH/HPS.

I think in your particular case I would go with the marshydro if your definitily not going to use the rest of the tent and believe dropping 100 watts will give you denser buds.
Im sure many will disagree.

 

[chuey316]

Do you fill out the entire 3x3 area with the plant or just a 2x2 area of the 3x3? If you fill out the entire 3x3 area, that gives you 33.3 watts per square foot with the Marshydro which will work but is slightly under the recommendations. Also keep in mind one wall of the tent will not be reflecting as much light back towards the plant (the wall farthest away). If the plant is only using a 2x2 area then the mars is more than enough for one plant. The HLG will have plenty of light but you will probably have to raise it more to get a more uniformed dispersion of light which will consume more power and create more heat because as you said it has a hot spot in the middle and drops off a lot at the outsides. Marshydro is a pain if something goes wrong and takes a long time to correct based on personal experience but I loved the one I had (TS-3000, 480 watts).

Im not so sure you would get a denser flower as your wattage is going down 100 watts (400 watts HPS vs 300 watts LED) but I never used a MH/HPS.

I think in your particular case I would go with the marshydro if your definitily not going to use the rest of the tent and believe dropping 100 watts will give you denser buds.
Im sure many will disagree.

The tent is a 3x4 and I use a 3x3 area for the plants and I try to fill the area, though not always. As for raising the light, I either lst or scrog to keep my plants low, and my tent is 7ft in height, so I have a decent amount of space between the canopy and the ceiling.

For the heat factor, I grow in a Michigan basement, and I normally time my grows so that I am not flowering or drying during summer, so my temps don't really tend to get too high. With my hps for instance, even in the summer months I don't think my tent has ever been above 76-77 degrees.

I figured the Mars would probably do fine for my space, but if the HLG will work dialed down a bit then I could get a little more power for a lower cost. I just didn't want to grab it just because it's more powerful and end up with something that will just cause unhealthy burnt plants.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

The HLG will provide plenty of light. HLG makes excellent lights, though., so I'd go for a good deal, regardless.

 

[dreamnfox]

The hlg will be great in there. Make sure you have a dimmer though. I had to attach one to mine. Otherwise it will cook your plants.