Lighting a 3'x3' room

So I want to iluminate a 3'x3' room

I have looked at the classical HID lamps but am also interested in LED lighting.

Which would you use?

If i was using HID I was thinking 400w. Does that sound right?

400 watts in a good place to start and 600 watts is even better but it's up to you and your budget. As for LEDs, I hear good and bad and I personally wouldn't spend money on them until I see more good results. But to each his own so if you have the money go for it. Good luck

Well you see, electricity consumption is a bit of an issue for me, as will be heat production, as it gets hot in the summer.

But I do worry about the fact that LEDs produce no UV light which is supposed to stimulate THC production (which is why ideally you would want to mix Metal Halide and Sodium lamps)

OK I understand heat and electricity issues. I wish I could help you more but I do not know enough about LEDs and I have heard good and bad. Someone will be along to help you I'm sure.

You want to try for 30-50 watts/sq. ft.

U got 9 sq ft.
the 400 gets you about 45/sqft, the 600 gets 67/sqft.

Is there such a thing as too much? Diminishing returns?

Don't know what the difference in heat would be either.

How much $$$ would you need for LEDs with that much power?

Go with a 400w hps. It will give you very good results you wont be disappointed.

i would suggest a 400 HPS also, because a 600 might cause some heating issues and as u said $$$ and heat are things to keep in mind. as for LEDs I dont know much about them so im not going to comment.

Nibin said:

So I want to iluminate a 3'x3' room

I have looked at the classical HID lamps but am also interested in LED lighting.

Which would you use?

If i was using HID I was thinking 400w. Does that sound right?

Click to expand...

if you have good ventilation and a fan,the 400 will maybe do just as well as the 600,because of the closeness you could put the light,it is all about how much usable lumens your plants recieve not watts.they say that 10,000 lumens is all thats required for optimum buds,but im just experimenting with that now,as well during plant rotation they get even more lumens.

Every 2 days, i rotate each plant 1/4 of a turn to ensure even lighting and to prevent any possible heat burn.

Only really feasible if you're growing in soil - kind of hard to rotate in a Hydro setup.