Light question

So I'm planning to do a PC case grow (yes, I know what to expect, don't tell me it's a waste of my time, near-free smoke is never a waste of time), and I'd like to try it with HPS lighting, for both veg and flowering. I'm thinking just a single 70 watt light might do the trick in my amount of space, however I'm a bit worried about heat. I'll put fans at the top, two intake and one exhaust to help cool, and the box will be in a room that is typically between 70-75 degrees farenheit. So will it get too hot with the HPS? If that's going to be the case then I'll opt for 1-2 CFL lights totaling to 70-100 watts.

While I'm here, would it be better if I go with a 100w HPS over a 70? I'm thinking if I keep the plant as close as I should then 100 is overkill in my space.

Thanks, guys.

Bump... Answers please. And disregard my username. I'll probably get it changed in the future. I didn't join here with the intention of posting but rather being able to view the pics but I think I will journal my grow on here. The name I wanted was taken so I tacked the "fuck you" on at the end...

Whats the point of wasting 3 mths for 7g's..............................................................................................

DinafemHazeAuto said:

Whats the point of wasting 3 mths for 7g's..............................................................................................

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Some value experience more than others.....


But in regards to your lighting question I would not use and HID lighting equipment in a pc case; it is a disaster waiting to happen. I am super paranoid about fires, and have found that CFL's work quite well.

HPS LIGHT IN PC GROW BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol good luck.. the light, ballast, reflector and exhaust will already take up 3/4ths of the space..
and it will over heat.

dude just use cfls or leds or something not so damn hot

PC grow with HID is impossible. Fill it with CFL bulbs and get a ryder variant strain so it doesn't outgrow the case. Good luck.

Nice Ol Bud said:

HPS LIGHT IN PC GROW BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol good luck.. the light, ballast, reflector and exhaust will already take up 3/4ths of the space..
and it will over heat.

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I've seen one that's taking up as much space as a CFL setup was. I'm just not sure it'd worth that well.

BustedParaphernalia said:

PC grow with HID is impossible. Fill it with CFL bulbs and get a ryder variant strain so it doesn't outgrow the case. Good luck.

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Gotcha... I'm starting with bagseeds. But I think it'll be fine.

And I like I said in the OP, free smoke is free smoke. If I can get 10 grams this will have more than paid for itself. And I'd say that the theoretical limit to how much bud can be had in such a small place really hasn't been met. Either way I'm just starting in this. After the first few harvests I will probably make a cabinet that gives me at least another 6-7 inches of height and room for 3-4 plants if I want as many.

I see you on the free smoke aspect, but I don't know how well this is even going to work. How much room - from top of the pot to the ceiling of the case - does the plant have? If your bagseed was from a haze or any sativa strain, it's going to quickly outgrow the case. It's not going to be like "oh, I can see that there's only a foot above me, so I'll grow as short as possible". It's going to hit the ceiling... and then I don't know what's going to happen. It could hit the light and burn. Or grow up and get all hunched over. I've never had this situation so I don't know what will happen for you.

Even with an indica strain from your bagseed the same thing could happen.

I guess worse case scenario, it outgrows your PC and you either toss it or plant it somewhere outside.

They're all pretty Indica as I recall, except for maybe one or two seeds. It's my understanding that if I keep the plant 4-5 inches from the light and start flowering by the time I have 50% of the growth I can get away with that it's going to be fine. And I think LST will be on my side as well. I've seen PC grows with bagseed go just fine on here and other places so I think this will work. The case is 17" high. With LST I could actually get a decent yield in that space, all things considered. If any of you are wondering, just search pc case grow in this section and see what comes up.

Fact of the matter is that I'm fine with this first grow ending up totally fubar. I don't expect it to, but anything can happen. And if shit hits the fan, I can just order some lowryder or easyryder seeds for the second grow as planned. As long as I keep growing I'm not really losing any money on it in the long run either.

This was a simple light question, I know what I need to know, thanks guys.
I'll get the grow journal going when I have my case done and start germination.

Well good luck man! Sounds like you at least did your research so you'll be better off than a lot of people...

Thanks, man...

I'm trying to make this as smooth sailing as possible.