400W HPS vs. 600W HPS

[bootlegbrewer]

Hi everybody. I am currently running a 400W HPS in a 4X4 tent. I am considering moving up to a 600W HPS in an attempt for better yields, but I don't want to spend the money if it's not worth it.

Has anybody used both? If so, did you notice a difference big enough to justify the switch?

 

[DoubleDub]

assuming you are filling that entire space with plants than yes upgrading would be worth your while. You could theoretically see a 50 % increase in yield.

 

[Rolln J]

400 watt:
Initial Lumens: 55,000

600 watt:
Initial Lumens: 88,000

1000 watt:
Initial Lumens: 145,000

want to see a real increase in yield go with a 1000 if you can...

not sure youd double your yield with a 600 but it would be better for sure!

 

[BudBlazer]

I too am curious about this. Does anyone have some real world experience with upgrading? I know the lumens increase with the light but will it really make a difference in the yield of the plant?

 

[Boots Sugarleaf]

4x4 = 1000 watt hps

air cool if you have to, a 400 is only efficient for best yield in 2'x2'---just upgrade to a thouie, then use that 400 for a separate smaller veg space and you will pat yourself on the back for doing so in a few months

 

[sedate]

want to see a real increase in yield go with a 1000 if you can...

Agreed.

400w = 25/w sqft - WAY to low for any decent yield
600w = 37/w sqft - still WAY to low for decent yield
1000w = 62.5/w sqft - just right

You will absolutely need to air cool both the light and the grow space.

 

[Mr.LovaLova]

The lumens that your HID bulbs are rated at are rated at 1FT above the canopy. A 600W HID will put off a fair amount more heat than a 400 or 430. You can get a 430 much closer to the plant tops without burning or bleaching. So if you have a 400W bulb rated at 55,000 lumens that is 1FT from the top of the canopy you are getting 55,000 lumens to the tops. If you have a 600W rated at 88,000 lumens and you have to keep it 2FT from the tops to prevent bleaching or burning you are only getting 44,000 lumens to the canopy. I run an air-cooled 430 over a 3x3 ebb and flow table in a 4x4 tent and get good yields, but I also keep the light about 8-12 inches from the tops.

If you are looking for more lumens then a 1000W will light up that 4x4 perfect, but you may run into heat problems. You will need at least a 200CFM blower just to cool the light. I wouldn't get a 600, either go big, or just keep the 400 and move it closer to the tops. Hope this helps.

 

[M.S.T.]

Just switched, pushed that 400 for 3 years in a 3.5' square scrog. I got 3 to 8 oz. depending on strain with about 13 plants. Now I am 4 weeks into flower with 14 plants. The 600 definetly puts out more lumens as well as heat. I had to move canopy farther from light, and put the glass in my vented hood. Buds do seem to look better so far. I won't really know till they are done, but I will keep you posted. Also I kept the same hood and fixture, sold the 400 ballast for $100 and spent $245 on 400/600 switchable digital Mh or hps next gen.. So for only $145 spent I got an upgrade that gives me options if I am not happy, or need to change size of operation. Hope this info helps, took me a long time to make that decision.

 

[Married2Mary]

Go with the 1k... You'll be glad you did...

 

[chickenn]

i upgraded from 1 magnetic 400 to 2 digital 600's, and it was one of the best investments i ever made. 1 600 will dramatically increase what you can do over a 400

go lumatek digital. you won't be sorry you spent a little more.

 

[sedate]

go lumatek digital. you won't be sorry you spent a little more

Why?

 

[been]

400+600=1000

:icon_cookie:

 

[OftheEarth]

Lumatek makes the best ballasts out there hands down. For sure.

 

[ttystikk]

Lumatek makes the best ballasts out there hands down. For sure.

There are a lot of guys out there who would disagree with you. The main advantage to me is their over lumens feature. However, this feature is not exclusive to Lumatek.

 

[ttystikk]

This is a really hard question to answer, because there are so many ways to optimize a grow around either 600 or 1000w bulbs. I've seen it done well both ways.

To me, the decision boils down to this; what do you want your results to look like? If you're maxing your output, the answer is obvious. If you want to upgrade your current approach without making big changes, the 600w is the clear choice.

 

[RoidsRus]

I too am curious about this. Does anyone have some real world experience with upgrading? I know the lumens increase with the light but will it really make a difference in the yield of the plant?

Yeah.... I first hand use a 1000w hps in a 4x4 tent with only 9 plants growing dro. I generally yield 1.75+ can you say the same?

 

[Kushwick]

I used to use a 400 watt hps and I upgraded to a 600 watt digital and I'm loving the upgrade. I get longer colas and definatley can say I see a increase in yeild well worth the extra 200 watt upgrade.

 

[urbanfog]

running a 4x8 had a 1k and just went to dual electric 600's, love the chaange

 

[RoidsRus]

Yeah... I am sure you are loving that even light distribution. How many plants are you growing per 4x4 area?

 

[OftheEarth]

There are a lot of guys out there who would disagree with you. The main advantage to me is their over lumens feature. However, this feature is not exclusive to Lumatek.

Yea, what are some other good ones? And ya the lumen diff option is not exclusive to lumatek. Maybe just biased....