Need opinions on lighting for a 4x4 tent (I’m on a budget currently).

mauricem00

mauricem00

Well-Known Member
iHarvest said:
Hello everyone. First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to read my post.

I’ll give everyone a breakdown of my current setup and what I’m moving into.. I’ve never actually used a tent, I have always used a spare room for my setups. I currently have a 400w mh/hps ballast/reflector. I recently moved and my only options are A) a closet grow (which I don’t want to do cause the wife wants her closet for obvious reasons) or B) get a tent and a new light that won’t put off as much heat. So B it is. I’m going to run a 4x4 tent with a 6” exhaust fan and for now, use passive intake until I’m able to get another fan. With that said, let’s get to the topic at hand.

Let me first start by saying I’m on a budget currently (150-200 max). I know this isn’t a lot, but it’s what I have extra to drop on a light right now. I do plan to invest more into my lighting for better lighting and better results but for now I need something that will hopefully at least compare to my 400w hps. My ladies are ready to flower and but I need something that will run cooler. I’ve been doing a lot of research on LEDs lately for the simple fact that they won’t get as hot as my hps. I’m a believer in HID lights because it’s all I’ve ever used and I know how to get the results I want with them. Anyway... upon researching led, cob and qb came up. Both sound like they have their benefits, qb being better from what I hear, but I don’t feel like I have he funds (or knowledge to put them together) in the time frame that I need my lighting. Therefor, I feel something already assembled would be best temporarily. And this is where I need opinions. I know a lot of you guys and gals have experience with leds and such, so will you all please point me in the right direction as far as what brand/light I should go for that’s in my price range? I’m a firm believer that spectrum (having enough red, and not too much yellow/green, along with having UV and IR), and par output is important.

I’ve been looking at the King Plus seriies, maybe 1200/1500w (I know this is a marketing gimmick, not true wattage, but I’m hoping it may balance out with my 400w hps), but I’m not sure if this is my best bet, having never used LEDs. And I’m not certain that those lights have heatsinks.

I’ll stop my rant here and let you all chime in. I’ll be actively watching my thread and will reply as soon as I can to any replies. Thanks!
Click to expand...
in your price range you could get one of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/Horticulture-1000W-DE-Watt-HPS-Grow-Light-System-Double-Ended-Wing-Reflector/112514982716?_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=1&asc=20131003132420&meid=42b10fd5669a43e59400418f4475ffe5&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=12&sd=121119199404&itm=112514982716&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 which is what most commercial growers use. a good led that would cover a 4ft by 4ft tent would cost you atleast 4 times as much and not produce as well. you could add a uva plus bulb to your tent to get a little better flavor and potency https://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-BULBS-T5HO-HIGH-OUTPUT-FLUORESCENT-LAMP-2-4-ft-GROW-BLOOM-UV-1-4-8-25-packs-/160895821950?var=&hash=item257623687e
 
mauricem00

mauricem00

Well-Known Member
Chunky Stool said:
Have you checked craigslist?
A good 600w digital ballast is around $50 so you should be able to get a complete rig plus a new bulb for $100.
One 600w should be enough for a 4X4, but if you wanted a little more light, you could dim it to 400 and run both lights together (800w total). You could even run mixed spectrum with MH + HPS.
Click to expand...
he could also ad a 315 watt cmh to his current light and get a little better flavor and potency https://www.ebay.com/itm/120-240V-315W-CMH-CDM-Grow-Light-Fixture-Ballast-Kit-With-Lamp-3000K/332603711179?_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=1&asc=20131003132420&meid=7b52369fce4b4cfdbba522a8d6ca9779&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=9&sd=172745313101&itm=332603711179&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
 
I

iHarvest

Member
Chunky Stool said:
I used an Apollo 5X5 for a couple of years and it worked fine. But there were definitely light leaks.
I'm not convinced that small light leaks really matter. Hell I had a HUGE light leak in my current room (long story) and didn't see a single hermie. There were 3 strains and none of them had issues.
It may come down to the fact that I don't stress my plants with nutrient deficiencies while they are flowering.
And I don't overfeed by giving them a shitload of phosphorous.
Oops... got a little sidetracked. :eyesmoke:
A 6" fan works great in a 5X5. An intake fan isn't necessary.
The hardest part will be getting the carbon filter to fit with the lights. Smaller reflectors are better if you run multiple lights.
The cheap little bat wings are my favorite.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I personally have had one or two ladies hermie but it was in a room grow, and I believe light leaks were the cause of it. Since then I’ve taken greater measures to ensure it didn’t happen again. I’m expecting small light leaks from a cheap tent but I can patch those until it’s upgraded.

No worries on getting sidetracked.. all info is helpful. I personally pull all my nutrients from my soil, therefor bottled nutes aren’t needed. I don’t have to worry about overfeeding my girls. I’m sure someone will beg to differ, and that’s fine, but I pull off amazing terpene results as is. Clean flower that requires no flushing. I think we can all agree that it starts with good genetics.
 
I

iHarvest

Member
mauricem00 said:
he could also ad a 315 watt cmh to his current light and get a little better flavor and potency https://www.ebay.com/itm/120-240V-315W-CMH-CDM-Grow-Light-Fixture-Ballast-Kit-With-Lamp-3000K/332603711179?_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=1&asc=20131003132420&meid=7b52369fce4b4cfdbba522a8d6ca9779&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=9&sd=172745313101&itm=332603711179&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply also man. I appreciate you giving some examples. I do feel that my light needs to be stronger. This lil 400w is the only ballast that I’ve had run solid for years, hence why I still have it. If I were to upgrade to a 1000w, or add the cmh, I’m assuming I’d definitely need an air intake fan? Having never grown in an actual tent, heat issues are my number one concern. After 1 day of having my setup, I’m sure I’ll have a much better understanding of my limits with heat and what all is needed to expel it. I just want to make an informative purchase before that time arrives.
 
I

iHarvest

Member
PrometheanLeaf said:
I completely understand and am finding myself in a similar situation.
Click to expand...
Small steps work just fine in the long run! I’ve never had the chance to run a cmh before but I’ve heard good things. And I’m one to believe the majority from a site like this over a retailer/manufacturer, so I do appreciate the info.
 
I

iHarvest

Member
NrthrnMichigan said:
Is this referring to the same bedroom your tent is in?
Click to expand...
Yes, that’s correct. I plan to use my ac to adjust the bedroom temp. If the carbon filter I have in mind will put out ZERO smell, I could possibly exhaust it out of a window, but that’s my only window and I couldn’t run my ac then.
 
C

Cr0p420

Member
Just want to add in my 2 cents.

Currently running a 5x5 with a 1000. In a basement. Passive intake , exhaust runs to the other side of the large basement.

No ac , but cold Canadian climate. And I have zero heat issue. Lights on at night.
 
Bud.

Bud.

Well-Known Member
Cr0p420 said:
Just want to add in my 2 cents.

Currently running a 5x5 with a 1000. In a basement. Passive intake , exhaust runs to the other side of the large basement.

No ac , but cold Canadian climate. And I have zero heat issue. Lights on at night.
Click to expand...
What fan are you running for exhaust? I have a similar set up I wouldn’t mind piping the heat into a bedroom or living room for winter
 
I

iHarvest

Member
Cr0p420 said:
Just want to add in my 2 cents.

Currently running a 5x5 with a 1000. In a basement. Passive intake , exhaust runs to the other side of the large basement.

No ac , but cold Canadian climate. And I have zero heat issue. Lights on at night.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info.. and I agree with Bud.. what exhaust are you running? Sounds like a great setup to me.
 
C

Cr0p420

Member
Honestly can't remember the name. Ttek hydro is the company I order through. Think it's one of theirs.

6", 430cfm if I remember correct IMG_20181111_1616213.jpg IMG_20181109_1023446.jpg

You can the negative pressure in the 5x5. Believe it or not. The venting is also attached to the tent to the left. Using passive intake that is wide open... Lots of air traveling through... all through a filter
 
I

iHarvest

Member
Cr0p420 said:
Honestly can't remember the name. Ttek hydro is the company I order through. Think it's one of theirs.

6", 430cfm if I remember correct View attachment 4232000 View attachment 4232004

You can the negative pressure in the 5x5. Believe it or not. The venting is also attached to the tent to the left. Using passive intake that is wide open... Lots of air traveling through... all through a filter
Click to expand...
What filter do you use for your intake?
 
I

iHarvest

Member
Cr0p420 said:
Sorry I should have made that more clear. Filter is for my exhaust. 6" carbon filter. Anyone will really do. Mine is about 2-3ft long.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, but maybe I should have made what I asked more clear, lol.. do you filter your passive intake windows on your tent? I already have my exhaust/carbon filter figured out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top