A few questions...

TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
Hey everyone...ok so I'm thinking of upgrading to HPS. I plan on (within the next couple of months) building a new box and I figure if you're gonna be a bear be a fuckin grizzly and make the jump to HPS. Unfortunately my space requirements at best can only house about 3 plants comfortably.

My question is...what wattage HPS would be sufficient for the three?

and

Has anyone had dealings with these?

Eye Hortilux Metal Ace Conversion Bulb - 400W at Sunburst Hydroponics

if so are they worth it?
 
cheetah2007

cheetah2007

Well-Known Member
no, it's not to small.is that what you got(jumbo storage cabinet) i think you can put a 400 hps in there man.
 
TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
cheetah2007 said:
no, it's not to small.is that what you got(jumbo storage cabinet) i think you can put a 400 hps in there man.
Click to expand...
Not yet, but I was seriously considering picking one up. The cab I have now is half that, same height and few inches shorter on the depth.

I was thinking a 400W too, but figured I'd throw it out there, having no experience with HPS grows.
 
cheetah2007

cheetah2007

Well-Known Member
you can veg with your CFLs, but i seriously recomended a hps for flowering.....you'll be amazed of the mighty HPS.the only thing you should do is to cool the damn bulb, coz it get really hot.
 
TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
cheetah2007 said:
you can veg with your CFLs, but i seriously recomended a hps for flowering.....you'll be amazed of the mighty HPS.the only thing you should do is to cool the damn bulb, coz it get really hot.
Click to expand...

Just seeing some of the pics on here it seems that the buds finish soooo much nicer!!!! Yeah I'm thinking of going with a cool tube and all the trimmings to combat the heat issues.
 
TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
I'm so used to the having to keep the CFL's so close to the plant...Is there a rule of thumb for HPS distance wise? I know it does not have to be right on top of the ladies, but what would you say is a safe distance that won't burn them up.
 
cheetah2007

cheetah2007

Well-Known Member
yeah there is a rule of thumb.put your hand on the tops of the plants and if your hand don't get burned, the plants wont get burned.for 400w hps maybe 12" away from the tops(if well cooled)
 
LocoMonkey

LocoMonkey

Well-Known Member
I have a similar setup.
Width: 51 1/8 " Depth: 21 1/4 " Height: 74 3/4 "


I have a 400W HPS in it and it gets to about 75-80F with the exhaust on.

I wish I would have got the 250W to keep the temps down.
 
cheetah2007

cheetah2007

Well-Known Member
LocoMonkey said:
I have a similar setup.


I have a 400W HPS in it and it gets to about 75-80F with the exhaust on.

I wish I would have got the 250W to keep the temps down.
Click to expand...
i think that there will be no probs with the heat if the bulb is in a cooltube with a good fan for exhaust man.
 
TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
LocoMonkey said:
I have a similar setup.
Width: 51 1/8 " Depth: 21 1/4 " Height: 74 3/4 "


I have a 400W HPS in it and it gets to about 75-80F with the exhaust on.

I wish I would have got the 250W to keep the temps down.
Click to expand...

I like that cab Loco...very nice. How many plants you fitting in there?

I see the rod came in handy too :mrgreen: or was that something you added?
 
LocoMonkey

LocoMonkey

Well-Known Member
TheBigLebowski said:
I like that cab Loco...very nice. How many plants you fitting in there?

I see the rod came in handy too :mrgreen: or was that something you added?
Click to expand...
I added a bigger rod just for my own piece of mind. The one that came with it was a metal one that was thin and hollow. I have 4 plants right now that I am about to flower.



cheetah2007 said:
i think that there will be no probs with the heat if the bulb is in a cooltube with a good fan for exhaust man.
Click to expand...
I have the fan on a speed controller and try to keep the fan on low for volume/vibration control. The temps are usually in the mid to high 70's midday.

This grow cab is a work in progress. I am still adding a clone/mother chamber on the bottom left.
 
JLStiffy

JLStiffy

Well-Known Member
I run hps for flower, and I have notice when someone gives you recomendation on distance, do what works for your set up.. if someone says 3feet for a 1000Watt buld, they dont know any other details about your system, maybe you can handle running it at 18Inch with out any heat stress. For you 400HPS and if your going to cover 3 plants ( you decide how to distribute your lighting over your plants) (higher up more ligh for the others but less intensity) Your HPS will grow a stockier plant! it will bush out and seems to fill out much nicer. I would agree with the 12inch rule, but read your plants behaviour during the flower stage, If they show no sign of heat stress, and your grow area is cool(maybe in the basement) you can affoird to move it 10Inchs but generally 1foot is good if your going to run any bulb over a 400W. I run 400MH 1 foot and let the plant creep closer, 600HPS 15 Incs and 1000watt 20inch. I can do this because my temp over my plants do not exceed 25degrees were foilage is 23 and root base temp is 20(fresh air in) Took me a bit to work this sytem out, but I used air controll.
goood luck with your lighting, Remeber when u go into a refelector that is tubed i read that it takes certain rays out that plants need to utalize, little rays are produced in the first place, dont limit it by a tube relector unless u HAVE 2.... but thats my opionon.
 
TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
LocoMonkey said:
I added a bigger rod just for my own piece of mind. The one that came with it was a metal one that was thin and hollow. I have 4 plants right now that I am about to flower.




I have the fan on a speed controller and try to keep the fan on low for volume/vibration control. The temps are usually in the mid to high 70's midday.

This grow cab is a work in progress. I am still adding a clone/mother chamber on the bottom left.
Click to expand...

Dude...lovin the setup. The clone chamber was a nice addition as well as the fan controller. At least you have the option to fine tune instead of running balls to the wall all the time.
 
TheBigLebowski

TheBigLebowski

Active Member
JLStiffy said:
I run hps for flower, and I have notice when someone gives you recomendation on distance, do what works for your set up.. if someone says 3feet for a 1000Watt buld, they dont know any other details about your system, maybe you can handle running it at 18Inch with out any heat stress. For you 400HPS and if your going to cover 3 plants ( you decide how to distribute your lighting over your plants) (higher up more ligh for the others but less intensity) Your HPS will grow a stockier plant! it will bush out and seems to fill out much nicer. I would agree with the 12inch rule, but read your plants behaviour during the flower stage, If they show no sign of heat stress, and your grow area is cool(maybe in the basement) you can affoird to move it 10Inchs but generally 1foot is good if your going to run any bulb over a 400W. I run 400MH 1 foot and let the plant creep closer, 600HPS 15 Incs and 1000watt 20inch. I can do this because my temp over my plants do not exceed 25degrees were foilage is 23 and root base temp is 20(fresh air in) Took me a bit to work this sytem out, but I used air controll.
goood luck with your lighting, Remeber when u go into a refelector that is tubed i read that it takes certain rays out that plants need to utalize, little rays are produced in the first place, dont limit it by a tube relector unless u HAVE 2.... but thats my opionon.
Click to expand...

Thanks JL...
Yeah I kinda figured I'd be instored for a bit of playing around with it once I incorporate it. I just got so used the CFL proximity that I was looking for a good starting point as to not damage the ladies to bad. I'm sure I'll be tweaking quite a bit, but I dig that part of it. Feels much better when it finally goes right :mrgreen:...but I'm gonna make a mental note of all this to help the process along. Hope my mental cooperates :joint:
 
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