T
trichburner
- 62
- 8
Buying indoor equipment soon . Narrowed down my choices to either running two 1000's (w/ switchable ballast) in a 4' x 6' area or four 400W HPS (CMH bulbs) in a 4'x4' area . I am looking for the best performance at a reasonable price in both start up costs and longterm running costs .
I will be purchasing bulbs based on their spectragraph , so I know I'll be taking a hit in the wallet here should I choose to go with the 1000's . But , Bulb price for the 1000's will be offset with the first half of the grow using MH and second half using HPS . Also light cycle will not be more than 15hrs light in veg for the indicas and 13.5 for sativas . The CMH will have same light cycle but the same bulbs will be used for both veg and flower .
I will be growing mostly sativa dominate hybrids and pure sativas . Light intensity and penetration is important . I want to keep light intensity above 75 watts per square foot .
I'm leaning towards the 400w HPS's due to cheaper start up price (buying one complete 400w ballast and three ballast kits compared to buying two 1000W switchables at retail price) , operating costs (electricity/bulb replacement costs) , and better light spectrum of the CMH . The payoff with the 1000's will be in yield which can't be overlooked . Much of what I will be growing indoors has a flowering time of 14+ weeks . Looking at long times between harvest .
But alas , I want a second opinion from all the indoor gurus before I make a final decision .
I will be purchasing bulbs based on their spectragraph , so I know I'll be taking a hit in the wallet here should I choose to go with the 1000's . But , Bulb price for the 1000's will be offset with the first half of the grow using MH and second half using HPS . Also light cycle will not be more than 15hrs light in veg for the indicas and 13.5 for sativas . The CMH will have same light cycle but the same bulbs will be used for both veg and flower .
I will be growing mostly sativa dominate hybrids and pure sativas . Light intensity and penetration is important . I want to keep light intensity above 75 watts per square foot .
I'm leaning towards the 400w HPS's due to cheaper start up price (buying one complete 400w ballast and three ballast kits compared to buying two 1000W switchables at retail price) , operating costs (electricity/bulb replacement costs) , and better light spectrum of the CMH . The payoff with the 1000's will be in yield which can't be overlooked . Much of what I will be growing indoors has a flowering time of 14+ weeks . Looking at long times between harvest .
But alas , I want a second opinion from all the indoor gurus before I make a final decision .