Is 315W CHM ok for a 3x3 tent?
- Thread starter JHake
- Start date
DankWilliamsSr
Well-Known Member
I run a 315 over a 4x4 area and pulled 1.3 grams per watt. But I know more is possible. I think you would be happy with it. Not sure about compared to a 400w hps though because I haven't grown with them.
Horselover fat
Well-Known Member
400w hps is a little more powerful than a cmh. ~530 umol/s vs 700 umol/s. Doesn't necessarily mean you'll yield less, but the hps should have a higher max yield. White light is much nicer to work under so that's a plus for the cmh. I'd say the bluer spectrum is better too and plants should grow a little more compact.
TintEastwood
Well-Known Member
Example
Big hood, vertical bulb type.
Big hood, vertical bulb type.
V-Lux Vertical CMH 315w LEC Grow Light Reflector Hood Kit Fixture 120-240v | eBay
Vertical Lamp 50/60 Hz. Square Wave. Built in Thermal Protection. We take our reputation seriously.
www.ebay.com
Horselover fat
Well-Known Member
Not all cmh bulbs can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations. That bulb also should not be used in an open fixture!
You'd really want three or four of them too.
DankWilliamsSr
Well-Known Member
I'm using DLI (Dutch lighting innovation's) they are an open sided hood. Same style as the gavita 150w hoods
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
I used a Sun System Boss 315 cmh with a 3100k bulb in a 4 x 4 along with two china made led panels. Total actual watts was 515.. I was happy with the results considering it was my first indoor grow. I'd think a 315 in a 3 x 3 would be great, would you use it only for flower? I ask cause I don't recall many threads using the 4000k bulbs which I presume are for veg..
NukaKola
Well-Known Member
315w CMH will give tighter internode spacing and less stretch than 400w HPS, more resin production, possibly slightly less or comparable yield.
I would go with a 315w bulb over 2x 150w. It will give much better penetration and honestly I think you would be disappointed going to 2x 150w from a 400w HPS. Anything under the top 10-12” will be larf.
.Smoke
Well-Known Member
Thanks man.
The other option is a 400W CMH bulb, also from General Electric, i believe the same Constantcolor line from GE.
About the LED:
Yes, i did think about it, but here in my country it seems like we are always a few months/years behind, and i don't want to spend a good amount of money and be outdated a few months from now.
But sooner or later i will go with some LEDs fixtures, until then i guess i'll stay with the HPS and don't go with the CMH.
I will ask a good LED producer here about their products...would you mind if i post the info here and you tell me what you think about their lights?
NukaKola
Well-Known Member
If you did go with CMH I would recommend Phillips or Hortilux.
Feel free to post the LED specs. Where you are located, is importing not an option?
Horselover fat
Well-Known Member
If you are not looking for power savings then a 600 hps is very good for a 3x3.
I'm from Argentina. Importing is expensive on taxes mostly. To ship a finished product i guess would be very expensive, but maybe i could import the chips and driver and mount it by myself, i have certain knowledge and experience on electronics. What LED do you recommend? I could search and check the specs at least.
Funny thing here is that i can buy almost 3 kits of 400W HPS and ballast for the same price i can buy a 600W HPS and ballast kit, not sure why lol.
NukaKola
Well-Known Member
You can order a Kingbrite or Meijiu board or strip fixture from Alibaba. The low cost should offset the high shipping cost. They use Samsung diodes and mean well drivers.
The strips do cost a bit more and shipping is higher due to the size so boards might be a better option in terms of cost.
2 240w boards Dimmed would give good coverage.