Light Mixing

Veg

Currently, I'm running 180w of CFL (per unit, running two units) on an 18/6 schedule in a 2x2x3 space.

• 2 - 42w 2700k & 4 - 23w 6500k

Would it be worth it to leave 2 of the 6500k or 1 of the 2700k on 24hr and have the rest of the bulbs on a 18/6 so that the plants never trigger a sleep cycle?

• I read on a post that during prolonged blackouts you can use non electric lighting just to prevent plants from triggering a sleep cycle during veg.
• I'm not expecting growth during the 6 hours, I'm just curious if it's worth it to keep them awake all the time, or for a reduced "wake up" period when all lights are on.

Flower

I have a 400w HPS w/ dimmer.
Would it be worth to run the HPS at 25-50% for part of the flowering cycle and CFLs during/the rest of the time?

Ex: CFLs turn on hours 1-4; Switch to HPS for hours 4-8; switch back CFLs and finish hours 8.-12

• Reason 1: I will always be home (work-wise) during hours 4-8 to manage heat; All major power use will be done during those hours.
• Reason 2: I have to manually manage cooling with fans outside of the unit if I use HPS (until I can finish the build
• How inefficient would it be if I run the HPS at 25% for 4 hours w/ the 42w CFL? Is it worth for less heat? (if it would produce less heat?)

No, it's not worth it to leave some on for 24 hours.


If you want to "wake up" your plants during flower, I'd run your CFL for half an hour before kicking on the HPS and put them to sleep with the CFL as well for about half an hour.

During the last week or so, you can leave the HPS turned down a little bit to preserve trichomes.

HPS is barely less efficient than CFL and it has far better penetration.