Is 400 HPS to much?

[hoochiecoochieman84]

Hi fellow growers, I need some help regarding the HPS wattage in a smaller grow tent!

Grow tent size:
80cm X 80cm X 180cm or 2.6f x 2.6f x 5.9f (I'm not familiar with feet and inches, so I hope I got the conversions right lol)

For the last couple of yrs I have been using a 250w HPS with no heat problems (temps stay between 23c and 25c during "lights on"). I am using a 100m ventilator and also 4 smaller fans to push the air around. I have gotten solid yield results but the buds are not as dense or big as some of the commercial stuff going around. From looking around I found out that more powerful lights are sometimes the key to producing better looking buds (along with genetics (mostly indicas) and proper plant nutrients (higher PK during flowering).

I would like to know whats your opinion on running a 400w HPS (or maybe even 600w) in my tent? Is it doable or will I have heat issues? Also keep in mind that I grow in the winter when the temps are cooler outside. I also dont have the need to keep my tent closed (I can also keep a window of the room open to let more cool air in the room where the tent is located).

Sorry about grammar mistakes, english is not my first language!

Kind regards and happy growing!

 

[calvin.m16]

Hi fellow growers, I need some help regarding the HPS wattage in a smaller grow tent!

Grow tent size:
80cm X 80cm X 180cm or 2.6f x 2.6f x 5.9f (I'm not familiar with feet and inches, so I hope I got the conversions right lol)

For the last couple of yrs I have been using a 250w HPS with no heat problems (temps stay between 23c and 25c during "lights on"). I am using a 100m ventilator and also 4 smaller fans to push the air around. I have gotten solid yield results but the buds are not as dense or big as some of the commercial stuff going around. From looking around I found out that more powerful lights are sometimes the key to producing better looking buds (along with genetics (mostly indicas) and proper plant nutrients (higher PK during flowering).

I would like to know whats your opinion on running a 400w HPS (or maybe even 600w) in my tent? Is it doable or will I have heat issues? Also keep in mind that I grow in the winter when the temps are cooler outside. I also dont have the need to keep my tent closed (I can also keep a window of the room open to let more cool air in the room where the tent is located).

Sorry about grammar mistakes, english is not my first language!

Kind regards and happy growing!

For your tent size a 600w would work perfectly fine. I have a friend growing right now in a 4 x 4 tent / 121.92 cm x 121.92 cm tent with a 1000 watt air cooled HPS and he is having no issues with too much heat. Just make sure you have good airflow and ventilation and it will give you them big nugs the 250w can't.

Your tent is what would be referred to as a two by two or 2x2 in Feet. You could easily hang a 600w in it and stuff it with colas. Keep us updated!

 

[riuoldmember]

no. the old rule was for 400w for 3x3. 600 for 4x4 1000 for 5x5.

 

[hoochiecoochieman84]

Are LEDs a better option?

 

[Horselover fat]

For your tent size a 600w would work perfectly fine. I have a friend growing right now in a 4 x 4 tent / 121.92 cm x 121.92 cm tent with a 1000 watt air cooled HPS and he is having no issues with too much heat. Just make sure you have good airflow and ventilation and it will give you them big nugs the 250w can't.

Your tent is what would be referred to as a two by two or 2x2 in Feet. You could easily hang a 600w in it and stuff it with colas. Keep us updated!

A 2x2 would be 60*60cm and you most certainly shouldn't put a 600w hps in one. It's too much for a 80*80cm too. A 600w is perfect for 100cm*100cm producing the same light level as a se 1000w hps in a 4*4, as does a 400w hps in 80*80cm. They're all about 1100ppfd.

 

[Rurumo]

Are LEDs a better option?

What is the temperature like in your room? If you can keep the room temp around 80 deg F, then LED is a better option. You can get some great LED lights for that size tent.

 

[hoochiecoochieman84]

What is the temperature like in your room? If you can keep the room temp around 80 deg F, then LED is a better option. You can get some great LED lights for that size tent.

Its around 24c.. But its got a thermostst and I can adjust it acordingly + keep a window open if its too hot.

 

[hoochiecoochieman84]

A 2x2 would be 60*60cm and you most certainly shouldn't put a 600w hps in one. It's too much for a 80*80cm too. A 600w is perfect for 100cm*100cm producing the same light level as a se 1000w hps in a 4*4, as does a 400w hps in 80*80cm. They're all about 1100ppfd.

My tent is 80*80cm. So you think a 400w HPS would be good and would not bring on any heat issues?

 

[Rurumo]

Check out a Maxsisun mg3000 or mars hydro fc3000, I think they'll fit that tent, but double check, and you could probably keep them at 80% during flower. You would be way happier with them in a small tent over an HID. You just need to keep the ambient temperatures higher with LED, so keep that in mind. Good luck!

 

[hoochiecoochieman84]

Check out a Maxsisun mg3000 or mars hydro fc3000, I think they'll fit that tent, but double check, and you could probably keep them at 80% during flower. You would be way happier with them in a small tent over an HID. You just need to keep the ambient temperatures higher with LED, so keep that in mind. Good luck!

I took a quick look at the mars hydro fc3000, the maxsisun isn't avaible anywhere in my country. Raising the room temperature would not be a problem. HPS lights really heat up the room, thats why I only grow during fall/winter, so I guess I could even keep growing during the summer when the temps are hotter outside with the LEDs?

 

[Bookush34]

Led will give you eiser control over the temps.
you could go with a 400watt HPS. But definitely want to have a aircooled reflector.
600watt definitely too much

 

[visajoe1]

My tent is 80*80cm. So you think a 400w HPS would be good and would not bring on any heat issues?

In your 80cmX80cm tent ,400w HPS gives about 61w per square foot, this can work.

If going with LED, consider a light bar type, they have the best light spread. Below is example, for reference.

 

[Horselover fat]

What is the temperature like in your room? If you can keep the room temp around 80 deg F, then LED is a better option. You can get some great LED lights for that size tent.

Your tent is not very tall. You might have to train for short plants, but the ammount of light from a 400w hps is good for the area. Heat is always an issue with hps in tents. If budget allows a led would be a better choice in my opinion.

Edit: oh it was 180cm tall. The hps will be fine, but if you have to buy stuff i would still think about a led.

 

[Nixs]

A 315 watts cmh light would be nice in 80cm×80cm, I think its better than a 400watts hps.

 

[hoochiecoochieman84]

Your tent is not very tall. You might have to train for short plants, but the ammount of light from a 400w hps is good for the area. Heat is always an issue with hps in tents. If budget allows a led would be a better choice in my opinion.

Edit: oh it was 180cm tall. The hps will be fine, but if you have to buy stuff i would still think about a led.

Yeah height is not an issue I always top and lst!
Thx