400w HPS is this enough light for a "factory" on small scales.

So basically just want to know if my 400w light would be enough for 5 autos. Am planning to plant on every two Weeks to make sure I am harvesting every 2/3 Weeks as this would cover my smoke by a little bit.

Is 400w going to do it when I have 5 on there or is a 600w going to do a lot better?

I'm more an outside man but I losing the skylight due to a move meaning tent time has come around.

Let me know guys. Rather know before I but.

Mr Mc Wilson
 

donkeyshow

Well-Known Member
400w would work.. 600w would be a lot better. Not only would it provide an addition 200w of light, but it has a lot better penetration! I use a 400w to do 4-6plants in a 3.5x3.5x6 tent. It gives me pleanty, would get more with a 600w but whats the point if Im already getting enough. Just depends what you need bro!
 
Ok. That's what I.thought and after looking at cost for the extra 200w it's not go bad especially IF it's.going to give me better buds. Do you think may e get a UFO for the sides. I just am worries that the smaller plants will stretch to much. Would a UFO by the smaller plants stop this ?
 

PixiDustr

Active Member
I have a 4 x 4 tent with 7 plants...running 400w. I've never done autos before, but I find the 400w workable in this format.
 

missnu

Well-Known Member
no...stretching in veg is seen as bad, because it causes the plant to grow tall and thin, and lanky, and you should really shoot for a shorter bushier plant that can support itself...
In flower all plants stretch no matter what light you have, or how low it is...it is normal, but a 400w cuts out the vegetative stretching so you can still end with very tight compact plants even after the flower stretch...

So keep the light as close as temps permit, and don't be afraid to move it up a little...but don't worry about stretch unless the light is too far away, with a 400w they won't have to stretch at all if positioned correctly Just remember, if you pack the space full during veg, you won't be able to carry them all during flower...when I have small plants I tend to fit more in the space, but as they get larger it is like uh-oh...lol. So watch out plants get bigger fast.
 

missnu

Well-Known Member
I start most of my vegetable garden indoors under my 400w. The ones I don't start inside just go in seedling trays of jiffy pucks outside on my gardening table til they are ready to plant...and the plants that I start indoors under the 400w with the fan and what not are shorter and thicker, and usually farther along than the seeds outside in the sun that end up stretched.... You can't position the sun to be perfect for your seedlings...but you can position a 400w light...
 
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