in theory lets say we had a 4x4 with 16 cobs @ 1050ma giving ~980ppfd ABOVE one tray, pulling a total of ~588w
in the other tray lets say we had a 4x4 with 16 cobs @ 700ma giving ~700ppfd and pulling ~392w, but lets say we add two cobs on each side of the tray, giving light to the lower branches. adding 8 x 23w = 184w
392w+184w= 576w.
so approx same wattage pull, but different dynamic in penetration, intensity, etc.... discuss..
Good question & idea.
I would recomend putting 1/2 of the COBs around the plants (
running slightly softer w/ lens or just as hard w/o & the other 1/2 above.
From my experience I have consistently yeilded a QP more from each plant running a 4 bulb, 4' T-5 w/ my selected spectrum. On only one side of the plants. The T-5 hits 2 plants directly on the side but the 2 on either side of that also Yeild a QP more w/ only a few small household LEDs & CFL's added to the corners of the room. So, that 216w T-5 w/ a few halo 14w LEDs & a few , 23 w CFL's allows me a Q x 4 plants which equals a pound off like 300w of side lighting.
I find you get allot more then would be expected by adding a little light to the side of the plant along w/ your main light source.
In my case, it was 600w HPS above w/ a T-5 & some rinky-dink LEDs n CFL's.
I can only imagine the Yeild increase if there were side-light on all sides. ??? Dying to do it but that requires growing a plant by itself & I don't have that luxury.
After doing that 3x I decided to buy the SunCloak so to really give 3-D growing a shot as supposed to just supplementary.
I grow w/ a maxed out 9'x11' canopy with a mega-scrog @ 13'x11' wall-wall. So I haven't the room in there to go crazy plus it gets to be to much heat w/ to much side-lighting.
The SunCloak seemed like a great solution. It made everything so easy & allowed me to flower 6 monsters in a 4'x4'. Buds everywhere. Literally. With 800w running the diodes to achieve like 147 lm/w of a 22k broad spectrum. Meaning rounded off not spiked like HPS. Similar to the Next-light spectrum but lil less blue.
The light-system isn't cheap but pays for itself twice over the first run. On GC (another forum) a guy, Tommy Trichlone just harvested 2.7 lbs. out of his Cloak in a 4'x4'. I'm bout to harvest mine but I personally had a poor grow. Not from the light but by my own hand. Didn't have the time to tend it properly & a very poor veg.
You will increase your Yeilds significantly w/ side-lighting added. 8 COBs on top & 8 cobs on the sides (canopy height prior to stretch) think would be the way to go in a 4x4.
You thinking about a new build?
Hope this helps.
I would shoot for 2100ma on top & 1050 on the sides. Not a DIY'r so not sure the total there w/o looking a few things up. But to get the most off a configuration like this I'd wanna be using between 600-800w of Cobolious.