Light recommendation for closet grow space: please and thanks

Greetings. Starting a closet grow space; 2ft wide, 6ft long, 9ft tall. Using a DWC hydroponic system; two auto flower plants in a 2 gallon tote. Any recommendations for a first lighting system? I am thinking somewhere between 400ws to 600ws. I am also imaging that I will want a system which will not produce too much heat for my closet space. I was looking on Amazon, but there are many options. I am hoping to grow more flowers eventually, but want to start out small at first. Please and thanks for the info.

What's your budget? HLG just released their new Diablo boards. 2 of these would be sweet. The Rspec's are nice too, but I just saw these new ones and they look super nice.

PadawanWarrior said:

What's your budget? HLG just released their new Diablo boards. 2 of these would be sweet. The Rspec's are nice too, but I just saw these new ones and they look super nice.

260W QB 648 LED Kit

260 Watt Lamp Kit. High Efficiency QB648 powered with Samsung LM301H . Suited for main light and supplement lighting. New updated XLG driver allows full range dimming with included potentiometer.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

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What he said... anything hlg is amazing imo. Really kills hpd

PadawanWarrior said:

What's your budget? HLG just released their new Diablo boards. 2 of these would be sweet. The Rspec's are nice too, but I just saw these new ones and they look super nice.

260W QB 648 LED Kit

260 Watt Lamp Kit. High Efficiency QB648 powered with Samsung LM301H . Suited for main light and supplement lighting. New updated XLG driver allows full range dimming with included potentiometer.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

Click to expand...

Way cool. Just checked out the website...wow. I think I am going to go the tent route instead. I am thinking it might be too hard to control climate in the closet. I think I am going to go with a 4 x 4 tent, but just start with two plants in a DWC hydro set up (plants sharing a two gallon tote). I am imaging, as I get better and more experience, I will want to increase what I grow in the tent, using all the space I can. As far as budge, I am willing to invest in a quality product. What are your thoughts as far as the 4x4 tent, starting with two plants in a 2 gallon tote, but wanting to eventually grow more in the most efficient way possible? Which light would you recommend at first for that kind of scenario and how will you build on it once getting to the point when I want to grow more hydro set ups? Please and thanks for the info

lilbry said:

Way cool. Just checked out the website...wow. I think I am going to go the tent route instead. I am thinking it might be too hard to control climate in the closet. I think I am going to go with a 4 x 4 tent, but just start with two plants in a DWC hydro set up (plants sharing a two gallon tote). I am imaging, as I get better and more experience, I will want to increase what I grow in the tent, using all the space I can. As far as budge, I am willing to invest in a quality product. What are your thoughts as far as the 4x4 tent, starting with two plants in a 2 gallon tote, but wanting to eventually grow more in the most efficient way possible? Which light would you recommend at first for that kind of scenario and how will you build on it once getting to the point when I want to grow more hydro set ups? Please and thanks for the info

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I have never done DWC, so I can't give any advice there, but 2 gallons seems really small. I could be wrong though. But it sounds like you are doing your research and are gonna make some good choices. The 550 Rspec would kick ass too in a 4x4. @Renfro is the man I'd ask these questions too. Oh, and if you choose to go HLG, use coupon code "RIU10" for 10% off.

PadawanWarrior said:

I have never done DWC, so I can't give any advice there, but 2 gallons seems really small.

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Indeed. Such a small nutrient capacity could make for some substantial pH instability. Once the plants get a little big the water level could drop quicker than you like. Nutrient chang out frequency would be more often. Larger is better than smaller when it comes to DWC water capacity.

Since he is lighting a 2 foot x 6 foot area it would probably be best to use lights with a 2 foot dimension in their footprint, then line a few of them up to cover the 6 feet.

Renfro said:

Indeed. Such a small nutrient capacity could make for some substantial pH instability. Once the plants get a little big the water level could drop quicker than you like. Nutrient chang out frequency would be more often. Larger is better than smaller when it comes to DWC water capacity.

Since he is lighting a 2 foot x 6 foot area it would probably be best to use lights with a 2 foot dimension in their footprint, then line a few of them up to cover the 6 feet.

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I first recommended a couple 260's for his 2x6, but it sounds like he's gonna get a 4x4 tent now. That's why I said he should check out the 550 if he's gonna go that route.

Thanks for listening to the bat signal man, lol. I know you're the one to ask about DWC and all that, and I wanna learn as much as I can from ya. I'm gonna try DWC someday, since I like to try all methods. I'm kinda a weed nerd, lol.

lilbry said:

Way cool. Just checked out the website...wow. I think I am going to go the tent route instead. I am thinking it might be too hard to control climate in the closet. I think I am going to go with a 4 x 4 tent, but just start with two plants in a DWC hydro set up (plants sharing a two gallon tote). I am imaging, as I get better and more experience, I will want to increase what I grow in the tent, using all the space I can. As far as budge, I am willing to invest in a quality product. What are your thoughts as far as the 4x4 tent, starting with two plants in a 2 gallon tote, but wanting to eventually grow more in the most efficient way possible? Which light would you recommend at first for that kind of scenario and how will you build on it once getting to the point when I want to grow more hydro set ups? Please and thanks for the info

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For a 4x4 fully lit up you want two of those kits above, but if you only want two plants you can buy one and fill half your space adding another when you can afford for the next grow or whatever

One might consider running a RDWC with a controller outside the tent. This would increase system capacity and allow one to change out nutrients and do all that jazz outside the tent where there is more room.

Renfro said:

One might consider running a RDWC with a controller outside the tent. This would increase system capacity and allow one to change out nutrients and do all that jazz outside the tent where there is more room.

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Greetings. Thanks for the info. I checked out some of your posts/threads. Great pics! Looks like you have spent some time with the craft and know what your are doing. Thanks for sharing. I think I am planning on using a 4 x 4 tent (in my room), instead of the closet. It is a bigger closet, but the tent just seems the easiest, less problematic, route. I'm thinking a 4 x 4 would be a good size to grow into; I am just starting out with two plants, but will want to increase once I gain more skill. I have a friend who has done some DWC's, who is sort of coaching me; plus this site, a few books, and youtube. My main goal is personal use. I am tired of going to dispensaries and paying high prices for mediocre product. I know there are many variables, but do you think a 4x4 is a good size? I have been reading that they say 4 x 4's are good for 4-6 plants. I am sure systems and type of plant influence all this. I just don't want to get too small of a tent or too big of a tent. Also trying to figure out the lighting system. Not sure if I should just go big or get one and then add to it when I start growing more plants. My friend recommended a cheaper LED for my first grow. Trying to decide on a good light is another thing I need help with lol. But I am getting everything together and way excited.

PadawanWarrior said:

What's your budget? HLG just released their new Diablo boards. 2 of these would be sweet. The Rspec's are nice too, but I just saw these new ones and they look super nice.

260W QB 648 LED Kit

260 Watt Lamp Kit. High Efficiency QB648 powered with Samsung LM301H . Suited for main light and supplement lighting. New updated XLG driver allows full range dimming with included potentiometer.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

Click to expand...

I just got off the phone with a rep from HLG. He thinks one 260W Rspec, for two hydro plants in a 4 x 4 tent is good at first. Then if I want to keep growing more in the tent, I could get another 260W Rspec to put next to it. But he seemed to think that either 1 (260w Rspec) or 2 would work well in a 4 x 4 tent. Thanks again for the info. Still gather info hehe https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-qb-v2-rspec-led-kit

lilbry said:

I just got off the phone with a rep from HLG. He thinks one 260W Rspec, for two hydro plants in a 4 x 4 tent is good at first. Then if I want to keep growing more in the tent, I could get another 260W Rspec to put next to it. But he seemed to think that either 1 (260w Rspec) or 2 would work well in a 4 x 4 tent. Thanks again for the info. Still gather info hehe https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-qb-v2-rspec-led-kit

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Sounds like a great idea. I kinda like separate lights. Then you can have them at different heights if your plants aren't the same height. I have 5 separate lights in my 3.5x8 closet now. And 2 in the 2x4 veg tent.

PadawanWarrior said:

Sounds like a great idea. I kinda like separate lights. Then you can have them at different heights if your plants aren't the same height. I have 5 separate lights in my 3.5x8 closet now. And 2 in the 2x4 veg tent.

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I think I am actually going with timber grow lights now, hehe. chatted with one of their reps for a bit of time today, as well. but taking the same separate light approach. pretty excited with the cob design they offer. might grab a 2vl and then another 2vl with some daises, at some point. seems like a good light and decent on the electricity bill. thanks for all the help and info

lilbry said:

I think I am actually going with timber grow lights now, hehe. chatted with one of their reps for a bit of time today, as well. but taking the same separate light approach. pretty excited with the cob design they offer. might grab a 2vl and then another 2vl with some daises, at some point. seems like a good light and decent on the electricity bill. thanks for all the help and info

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You can't go wrong with Timber either. Great choices.

lilbry said:

4x4 is a good size?

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Well it all depends on what you are trying to do in there. A tent like that could pull a nice 2 pound harvest if you do your part well. If you wanted to go bigger later you could possibly use this tent for a veg space.

Renfro said:

Well it all depends on what you are trying to do in there. A tent like that could pull a nice 2 pound harvest if you do your part well. If you wanted to go bigger later you could possibly use this tent for a veg space.

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Thank you very much for all the info. Your knowledge is much appreciated. I'm wondering if one Timber 2VL will be enough at first? Budget wise, that would be nice. Then I can add another 2VL in the future, when I grow more plants, and they can sort of operate side-by-side. I am not sure if that is a good scenario for a 4 x 4 tent or if a bigger Timber Light System would be a better option, for more efficiency. I am sort of hoping I can get away with the one 2VL, on this first grow, but I am not sure if the 4x4 will be too big of a space for this type of scenario. Thanks again for everything

lilbry said:

I'm wondering if one Timber 2VL will be enough at first? Budget wise, that would be nice. Then I can add another 2VL in the future

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That light is good for about 2x2.5 feet so to cover the whole tent you would need like 4 of them. I would go with a 3VL or 4VL to cover a 2x4 foot area, then add another to get the other 2x4 area later.

PadawanWarrior said:

I have never done DWC, so I can't give any advice there, but 2 gallons seems really small. I could be wrong though. But it sounds like you are doing your research and are gonna make some good choices. The 550 Rspec would kick ass too in a 4x4. @Renfro is the man I'd ask these questions too. Oh, and if you choose to go HLG, use coupon code "RIU10" for 10% off.

HLG 550 V2 Rspec

High Efficiency Commercial Indoor Horticulture LED grow light designed to replace a single-ended 1000watt HID with just 490 Watts. 1257 PPF @ 2.6PPF/W. Full-spectrum. Reliable passive-cooled design. Powered by Samsung LM301H LED and Deep Red LED 660nm

horticulturelightinggroup.com

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I'm such a dum dum. I mean 20 gallon tote. 2 gallons is way small lol