MH/HPS in 63 sq ft box
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Chronntec
Active Member
You cant compare HID lights to CFLs, they put out 5-10x more lumens per square foot, which means bigger, thicker, denser buds. I would go with HID lights, HPS is what I would use personally, they are more efficient then mercury vapor. Also the box seems rather short, if your building something you might want to consider building it at least 6 feet, 5 if your tight on space. You will find that it the long run when you start flowering and the plants keep getting taller you will wish you had the extra foot or two. Also dont forget you will want a nice space above the plant for all that warm humid air to go before it gets taken out by your exhaust fan. HID lights usually provide a nice area seeing that they usually hang down, but they also do make more heat and require at least an extra fan blowing towards the light.
Anyways good luck with the box, just make sure you think it all through before making a final plan. Maybe even something that could raise up, or be adjusted easily in the future.
Anyways good luck with the box, just make sure you think it all through before making a final plan. Maybe even something that could raise up, or be adjusted easily in the future.
Hawk
Well-Known Member
Where is 63 square feet coming from? Maybe I'm not understanding the dimensions?
36" wide x 36" deep x 45" high, right? That would be 9 square feet of floor space and 33.75 cubic feet of total space inside the box.
Whatever the case, I think a 400w HID could possibly work but only if you have enough ventilation. Ambient temps could make or break it too, I would think. A 250w HID might be easier [shrug]. I just recently decided on a 250w in a 6 square foot, 31 cubic foot space. I still went rather heavy on the ventilation and I should be terrific heat-wise with the 250w. That will be nice but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to upgrade to a 400w--but probably only because I've spent far more in ventilation then I've spend on the actual light.
Also, for what it's worth, my 250w HID in an air cooled Super-Sun 2 hood is COOLER (barely) then the 200+ watts of CFL's I had with fans blowing all over them. Yet, the 250w HID is a lot more light.
$0.02
36" wide x 36" deep x 45" high, right? That would be 9 square feet of floor space and 33.75 cubic feet of total space inside the box.
Whatever the case, I think a 400w HID could possibly work but only if you have enough ventilation. Ambient temps could make or break it too, I would think. A 250w HID might be easier [shrug]. I just recently decided on a 250w in a 6 square foot, 31 cubic foot space. I still went rather heavy on the ventilation and I should be terrific heat-wise with the 250w. That will be nice but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to upgrade to a 400w--but probably only because I've spent far more in ventilation then I've spend on the actual light.
Also, for what it's worth, my 250w HID in an air cooled Super-Sun 2 hood is COOLER (barely) then the 200+ watts of CFL's I had with fans blowing all over them. Yet, the 250w HID is a lot more light.
$0.02
The top and bottom pieces are 36" x 36" and the 4 sides are 36"w x 45" h. I'm not all thatgreat in determining sq ft. I always thought it was l x w x h. But I suppose it is only about 38 sq ft. I didn't consider a 250 watt but that does seem to fit what I'm doing (2 plants).
Chronntec
Active Member
You have square feet confused with volume (cubic feet) The square footage is just the length of the base X the width of the base. 36" is 3 feet, so its 3' X 3' thats 9 square feet. This is basic math. The height of the space only determines how high you can grow your plants. In a 3'x3' space you could easily use up to a 600w HPS without much issues depending on how high/how cool you keep the light. 9 square feet can grow easily 4-5 plants, or more if they are going to be grown in SOG.
Again I suggest, if possible, make it higher than 45" thats just under 4 feet, I would make it 5' tall (even 60") just because you will want the extra grow room.
I really suggest you do a lot more research, I mean A Lot, because all this stuff is discussed in the forums, and all these questions are answered if you just look for them. I suggest starting off by learning about different types of lighting, try googling CFL vs HID and you will find a lot of very useful info.
Again I suggest, if possible, make it higher than 45" thats just under 4 feet, I would make it 5' tall (even 60") just because you will want the extra grow room.
I really suggest you do a lot more research, I mean A Lot, because all this stuff is discussed in the forums, and all these questions are answered if you just look for them. I suggest starting off by learning about different types of lighting, try googling CFL vs HID and you will find a lot of very useful info.
FullMetalJacket
Well-Known Member
If you go 3x3 i wouldn't do a 250. If you only want 2 plants and a small light, maybe go 3x1.5 or 2x2 and maximise your reflectivity.... If you go 3x3 go at least 400...
I am personally doing a 600 in 2x3 with proper ventatltion. Like Chronnetc was saying cubic feet isnt really closely associated with cubic feet more so sq feet(unless you strat talking heat dissipation). An height is definitely important. One thing to consider with the 250 is that is wont penetrate very far, so you wouldnt want to go too tall.
Haha i probably am not helping you one bit. Like people recommended look at different designs. Google "mills pride club", go to the first result. There are tons of designs there that are right around the size you want that incorporate different lighting types and cooling.
I am personally doing a 600 in 2x3 with proper ventatltion. Like Chronnetc was saying cubic feet isnt really closely associated with cubic feet more so sq feet(unless you strat talking heat dissipation). An height is definitely important. One thing to consider with the 250 is that is wont penetrate very far, so you wouldnt want to go too tall.
Haha i probably am not helping you one bit. Like people recommended look at different designs. Google "mills pride club", go to the first result. There are tons of designs there that are right around the size you want that incorporate different lighting types and cooling.
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Hawk
Well-Known Member
Nice thread! I just glanced at it but there's probably a few hours of browsing to be done. [sarcasm on] Just what I needed! [sarcasm off]