Light wattage

I would like some help in choosing what wattage light to purchase for a 1.2,1.2,2m grow tent. I'm looking at growing 4 plants in there. I've done a little research and is 600w hps cool ? And is 1000w hps a bit much for the tent size etc ? Thsnks

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I would recommend 600w HPS + a bit of supplemental lighting.

Supplemental:
UVB - Resin/THC stimulation (you for sure want this in flower, debatable in veg)
6500k - Stock/Stem/Veg (HPS is significantly lacking in blues, there are gains to be had by adding some blues in both veg and flower, but more so in veg.)

A 600w HPS + 2 T8 shop lights or T5 fixtures.

I would go with something cheap like two T8 shop lights ($15-30 each) with 2x 6500k bulbs and 2x UVB 10% reptile bulbs. 1 of each bulb type in each fixture for best distribution.

1000w is pushing it and will likely lead you into heat issues, plus you will be stuck with a 1 dimensional light when you could supplement it to make better bud. If you go 1000w you should also look at sealing the tent and adding AC and CO2 so you have the potential to actually use that much light. Anything over 8000 lumens per sqft is overkill and will only cause you issues without the whole setup.

Thanks for the reply. So the uvb bulbs can be bought from a reptile shop ? And what wattage would you recommend? And what wattage for the 6500k daylight bulbs?

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fullonpower said:

Thanks for the reply. So the uvb bulbs can be bought from a reptile shop ? And what wattage would you recommend? And what wattage for the 6500k daylight bulbs?

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Pet store or online for UVB reptile bulbs (make sure you get 10.0,not 5.0, half the UVB output on 5.0), 60-80w each of UVB/6500k. Two T8 shop lights are you cheapest option, they would be 32w each bulb, 4 total bulbs, 1 of each in each fixture.

I actually use 10% UVB tanning bulbs, but they are 6ft long and won't fit in your space...

Do you use these as side lighting or above canopy ? Thanks for the help again.

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fullonpower said:

Do you use these as side lighting or above canopy ? Thanks for the help again.

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You want the UVB to hit the buds directly, so if you are running a top lighting system you would put it on top, if you are going to run a vert system (system with >50% of lighting on walls/not above) then I would be tempted to go with more of the 5.0 bulbs on the side with 1 or 2 10.0 bulbs above.

Ok, my mate is a sparky so can get those lights on the cheap probably. One last quest...can I use those supp lights with a dual spectrum bulb or best with single spec?

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Can use with either, but dual spec already has some 6500k like light added as the second spectrum. I would stick with tried true and cheap HPS and add supplemental instead of trying to get everything from one bulb. If you really want a single bulb that will give you everything, look at CMH or Plasma, but be ready to pay for it. (will still want UVB unless you only want the small amount CMH puts out.)

I run CMH + LED + 10% UVB Bronzing/Tanning Bulbs, but it's either very expensive or a lot of work to copy me. I spent about $1500 on lights, but to buy equivalent would cost about 5x that.

4x 315w CMH
2800w of LED (6500k and 3500k)
400w of Tanning