1000w hps or 2 600w hps?

What would be better 1 1000w hps or 2 600w hps? I mean obviously I would have an extra 200w out of the 2 600w but just want to hear some opinions.

Depends on your grow area size and style ,
" 2 x 600w will get you better coverage over a larger area,
it really depends.... 1000w bulbs sure give off alot of heat...

two 600's two sources/points of light instead of one more lumens and more efficent

What they said!

or you could get a 1000 with a light rail.

i would go with 2x 600w this gives you more flexibility, as when your plants are small they dont need all that light you can leave on off and save some $$ on electric. also can seperate if need be. overall just have more options with 2 lights ober 1

Get 2x 1000w's and end the debate.

...with two light rails.

Buy a ladder,
a big 1,
climb to the sun,
pull it down a bit,
possibly towards me

I read and seen on a growing dvd that a 600 watt will give you your best light per kwhour

Oh yeah, but in all seriousness, no contest, 2x600w.

600w = 96,000 lumens
1000w = 155,000 lumens
2x600w = 192,000 lumens


For 200w you get 37,000 lumens. That's a good deal. Those numbers are sort of irrevelant, but they show how much more light the lights put out. Add in that 600w's ride so much lower than 1000w's and I find I get more bang out of them.

I actually just dimmed my ballast back to 600w and put in a 600w bulb. My tent isn't tall enough for the 1000w.

I would do 2 1000w lights but can't really have that kind of spike on the bill.

Yeah....it's a bit of a jump, but the upside is that if you get dimmable ballasts you can run them as 600's. If you're situation changes you can use them as seperate 1000's or use them together, or whatever. More flexibility in the future if you just drop the money for 1000w ballasts and later you don't have to replace them if things change or you want to try 2x 1000w's.

600watters are the most efficient as far as lumens/watt.
They'll also give you better coverage. If you're not growing giant plants (4 or 5 footers) then you don't need all the penetration from 1000watters. And if you ARE growing trees, you can just hang the 600s vertically in between them.

Id go for 600's without a doubt.