1000&600 HPS currently.

So I have currently a 1000 & 600 HPS. Covering 12 plants in a scrog. That is like...6X10??

I have lots of room in the flower room
around my scrog I want to utilize. Add another RDWC system at least.

If i add more plants i’d need some more lights

But i was thinking would it be smarter to add more smaller lights while changing out my 1000&600.

should i get a mix of 400 watt hps and some LEDs and get a larger spread of light ? If that makes sense.

My room
is like... 15x 15?? But with sloping ceiling on one side but i think i could have 4 lights about 4 feet apart and would cover the room. But maybe more?

I’ll measure later.

Just want to keep the wattage around 1600. 2000

Don't overlook the 315 CMH as an option. Definitely in lieu of a 400HPS.

Adding more lights also means dealing with more heat.

With the sloping ceiling that also adds in potential height restrictions.

Quality LED would be a great option to consider. Light more square feet with less wattage, less heat and potentially also help with the sloping ceiling.

Will setting the ballasts i currently have to 400 give me 400 out of the wall? Or would it still be 1000?

Would at least give me 2 of what i need if i were to downsize the size of lights but get more.

the 1600 watts are a lot thinking back that i could get 315,400 or leds and cover more area with similar light intensity im assuming

trapdevil said:

Will setting the ballasts i currently have to 400 give me 400 out of the wall? Or would it still be 1000?

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If a ballast is set to a 400W setting regardless of its upper maximum capacity, it'll only draw 400W from the wall, and the light will operate at that intensity.

For example, if you dim a 600W ballast to 400W, your electric bill will reflect the usage of the light at 400W, not 600W.

spek9 said:

If a ballast is set to a 400W setting regardless of its upper maximum capacity, it'll only draw 400W from the wall, and the light will operate at that intensity.

For example, if you dim a 600W ballast to 400W, your electric bill will reflect the usage of the light at 400W, not 600W.

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Awesome was wondering in regards to elected bill. Sweet.

Then for LEDs what wattage am i generally looking for that is simailr to 400 HPS

trapdevil said:

Awesome was wondering in regards to elected bill. Sweet.

Then for LEDs what wattage am i generally looking for that is simailr to 400 HPS

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I'll let the LED people speak about that. I only have one LED (240W) that I use in my clone tent, and only use HID for everything else.

The only knowledge that I can share regarding LED, is that the market is prone for misleading (and sometimes outright fraudulent) marketing bullshit (eg: 1000W equivalent!).

spek9 said:

I'll let the LED people speak about that. I only have one LED (240W) that I use in my clone tent, and only use HID for everything else.

The only knowledge that I can share regarding LED, is that the market is prone for misleading (and sometimes outright fraudulent) marketing bullshit (eg: 1000W equivalent!).

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Yes i can tell. And my searching is leading towords so many options and can’t tell what’s total shit and what’s decent.

Separate question- I’m stoned so just spacing, but when i buy bulbs for my HPS they were by wattage right? So is it best if i’ll run the 1000 watt ballast on 400 should i get a 400 watt bulb?

trapdevil said:

Separate question- I’m stoned so just spacing, but when i buy bulbs for my HPS they were by wattage right? So is it best if i’ll run the 1000 watt ballast on 400 should i get a 400 watt bulb?

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Always and only use the bulb that's rated for the wattage of a ballast. Never run a larger wattage bulb on a lower wattage ballast, or vice versa. Only use matching pairs, even if you plan on dimming the ballast.

trapdevil said:

Awesome was wondering in regards to elected bill. Sweet.

Then for LEDs what wattage am i generally looking for that is simailr to 400 HPS

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About 240w-300w depending on if you want to match the 400 or beat it.
Of high efficient whites.

Okay sounds good.

then what would be the best way or should I say cheapest way to add lighting to veg room?
Have T5 Ho currently.

going to upsize both but can’t blow the bank with lighting at the moment. ( lol forgot it can get a bit costly building rdwc systems, getting more lights and more nutes and painting the rooms)