I'm not getting much direct sunlight, should I use my HIDs?

Ok. I live in the mountains in northern cali. at like elevation 4000, but there is hella pine trees up here and the direct sunlight isn't hitting my plants 'till like 10-10:30 and hides back behind trees at like 4:30-5. I have 3 1000 watt HID lights (haven't used 'em yet) should I use them instead of the sun? They have been veging out there for about 2 weeks and look healthy but I'm starting to think I could get more from my HIDs 'cause I can put them on a 18 hr cycle. But the sun is better, too just not as much time! What the F___ should I do!?!?!?

The sun is definitely the best light but if you have 3 1000 watt lights and a space to use them i would have to say that would be best.....the sun puts out 10,000 lumens per square foot at the equator, depending on whether you have MH or HPS bulbs, you are talking somewhere in the neighborhood of 240,000-300,000/MH and around 420,000/HPS...so any room up to 42 sq ft and your light intensity is equal to that of the sun, all you'll be missing is the suns full spectrum and the effects of nature to give it thatt outdoor goodness

use the sun even indirect sunlight is decent

anyway you could do both? might be a little much for them. maybe try some under the 1000watter and some under the sun and see who does best. also, SuperThrive, from personal experience works and works GREAT. it's no miracle juice, just some plant hormones that can really help transplanting and recovery. i thought it was BS when i started gardening a few years ago and have found over the years (not just with MJ, with bell peppers, watermelons, tomatoes, and flowering plants) it really does bring a little life back into the plants.

superthrive is the shit only a few drops will do ya

Great. Thanx for the advice! I seen some superthrive at walmart. read the bottle and HAD to buy it (bought 2)! So 3 1000 watt HPS lights would be too much? I'm putting them in a 10X16 room. I'm not using a tray. I ripped the carpet out, and I'm gonna plastic off the floor and put a drain. I have great ventalation and an air conditioner, and climate control. I was thinking if I position the lights where the spectrum doesn't overlap, I would be fine. but now Mr. Oasis you're saying I need like a 42 sq foot space. Now I'm worried I might burn them. I'm doing my script, my girls script, and her dads. I have a 4 car garage too, but that would be A LOT of work! My room in my house is half done, too. should I just use two lights for now, or will 3 be o.k? I seen my cousin use 3 on a 4X8 tray, and later he came up here with some DANK Super Haze! He's too busy to help though. Can't even reach him right now.