Lighting issue

[dankness19]

Looking at CFLs, and t5s as well as LEDs for a 3ft x 3ft space what's the best for 300 or under or around that price? The space is a closet also, I know LEDs kick ass but for that space are the other options good? What's better? And hps/mh is no option due to heating thanks.

 

[Noahp123]

you can get a nice t5 fixture for much less than 300 and do full grows using it, using extra cfls if needed. 2700K cfls and 3000k t5s for flowering (I don't think you can find 2700k t5s) 5000K+ for veg.

 

[srh88]

i have that size tent.. i use a 400hps. do it!

 

[dankness19]

You can use a hps for veg? Thought that what the mh was for, but if I can not use mh I def will consider

 

[srh88]

you can, but mh is preferred... but heres the deal with HPS. an HPS ballast works with MH bulb, just not the other way around

 

[Cobnobuler]

Yep, get a 400 HPS that also takes MH conversion bulb. Thats what I've always done. I use 2 of 'em. BUT, you probably will have heating issues. You say 3x3 space but what about height? A MH/HPS will give you much better results than CFL ever will but you may have to work out heat issues. Even 400's can generate a lot of it.

 

[SableZen]

I'd keep an open mind towards a 400w or 600w MH/HPS dimmable digital ballast. Start the plants out with a MH bulb on a lowered wattage and increase wattage as size of plant increases. Simple to switch to an HPS bulb for flowering. Dimming will let you stay in control of heat issues in any case, save some money on the electric bill, and you'd still have capable lighting if you ever upgrade your tent or grow area.

I've run a 600w in a tent as small as 20"x3'x5'. Just don't go to ghetto and get a decent inline fan in addition to at least a cool tube or nicer air cooled hood.

 

[dankness19]

Height is like 10ft but I already got a mh/hps ballast looking to alternatives cause of heat.

 

[Aeroknow]

I'd keep an open mind towards a 400w or 600w MH/HPS dimmable digital ballast. Start the plants out with a MH bulb on a lowered wattage and increase wattage as size of plant increases. Simple to switch to an HPS bulb for flowering. Dimming will let you stay in control of heat issues in any case, save some money on the electric bill, and you'd still have capable lighting if you ever upgrade your tent or grow area.

I've run a 600w in a tent as small as 20"x3'x5'. Just don't go to ghetto and get a decent inline fan in addition to at least a cool tube or nicer air cooled hood.

Yes,yes,yes!

 

[dankness19]

Yea, I got an reflector and the bulbs but I'm gonna go with getting the ballast and I got a 400 watt bulbs