Suggestions for 4x4x8

Electrofunk

Electrofunk

Member
So, I am attempting to setup an indoor grow room in a 4x4x8 space.

My noob question is:

Will a 400w HPS be adequate to light this amount of space? If so, how many plants should I consider planting? (buckets with soil is what I want to use).

I'd don't want to necessarily 100% maximize the grow in this area since it is my first grow. But, what is the max amount of plants that can be grown in this space with a certain xxxW HPS light?

--Thanks.
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
Electrofunk said:
So, I am attempting to setup an indoor grow room in a 4x4x8 space.

My noob question is:

Will a 400w HPS be adequate to light this amount of space? If so, how many plants should I consider planting? (buckets with soil is what I want to use).

I'd don't want to necessarily 100% maximize the grow in this area since it is my first grow. But, what is the max amount of plants that can be grown in this space with a certain xxxW HPS light?

--Thanks.
Click to expand...
No, a 400 won't be sufficient to light up a 4x4 space.

However, since you said you don't mind not fully maximizing your efficiency, yes, the 400 will be fine for a 3x3ish grow.

And the max amount of plants varies with your style and veg time - could go from 1 to 60 and everything in-between.

A good goal for you would probably be three or four solid plants.
 
Electrofunk

Electrofunk

Member
Thanks for the suggestions, I was actually hoping someone would say I should try 3-4 plants. That sounds manageable for me and would be a great first goal.

Any other suggestions with 3-4 plants with a 400 hps in a 3x3 or 4x4 space?

I am probably going to 18 inches and then start flowering....tentatively.

Thanks for the fast replies!


OH, and I forgot to add that I am having trouble finding good advice on a decent 400w HPS w/ ballast. Any suggestions?
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
Electrofunk said:
Thanks for the suggestions, I was actually hoping someone would say I should try 3-4 plants. That sounds manageable for me and would be a great first goal.

Any other suggestions with 3-4 plants with a 400 hps in a 3x3 or 4x4 space?

I am probably going to 18 inches and then start flowering....tentatively.

Thanks for the fast replies!


OH, and I forgot to add that I am having trouble finding good advice on a decent 400w HPS w/ ballast. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
HTGsupply - get an air-cooled hood if you can (you'll thank me later, especially in the summertime).
 
Electrofunk

Electrofunk

Member
Bob Smith said:
HTGsupply - get an air-cooled hood if you can (you'll thank me later, especially in the summertime).
Click to expand...
Thanks Bob, I found a few good ones from HTG. So one reflector with that one 400w bulb is all I need in terms of lighting for the setup above? I have heard anywhere from 6-12 inches above the plant with this type of lighting. Does it matter how far away it is or is the distance from the plants only dependent on temperature/direct heat?
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
Electrofunk said:
Thanks Bob, I found a few good ones from HTG. So one reflector with that one 400w bulb is all I need in terms of lighting for the setup above? I have heard anywhere from 6-12 inches above the plant with this type of lighting. Does it matter how far away it is or is the distance from the plants only dependent on temperature/direct heat?
Click to expand...
There's an inverse relationship between distance from the plant and the usable lumens that are available to the plant - as close as possible without burning the plant tips is where the light should be.
 
Electrofunk

Electrofunk

Member
Bob Smith said:
There's an inverse relationship between distance from the plant and the usable lumens that are available to the plant - as close as possible without burning the plant tips is where the light should be.
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me. One last question....for now :lol:. At what distance should the light be for germination, and is it easier to just use a CFL for germination if I have one?
 
GrizzlyAdams

GrizzlyAdams

Well-Known Member
I disagree and agree with bob smith. 3-4 plants is a good goal, and a 400 watt is just dandy for a 4x4 space. Two ways you can calculate sufficient light. 25 watts per square foot or 3,000+ lumens per square foot. This is minimum ratings for a happy plant, the more the better during flowering. Any experienced grower will tell you 3k/sq ft is sufficient for veg

400 watts.
4W x 4L = 16 square feet.
400/16=25 watts per square foot

400 watts
HPS = avg 127 lumens per watt (some do better than that)
127x400=50,800
50,800/16=3175 lumens per square foot.

There are a few options when you're going to purchase. If you want to go Metal Halide for veg then HPS for flower, you can get a digital ballast or a regular ballast. Difference is, digitals can run any bulb you put into them (except conversion bulbs, they get pissed) and with a regular magnetic ballast you'd have to buy a MH conversion bulb.

I'd go with either
400 watt digital ballast with mh and hps bulbs
OR
600 watt magnetic ballast with HPS bulb and MH conversion bulb

Either way you're going to run into heat buildup problems. You can veg under HPS, and if that's your decision there is a great option. The Son Agro 430 watt HPS bulb. Plugs into a 400W ballast. 400 watts of HPS light with an added 30 watts of blue spectrum light to promote vegetative growth during flowering. I've got one, they kick ass

I've done alot of work with both 400 watt and 600 watt lighting systems in a similar sized space to yours. PM me if you need any more help, I'm not the best at tracking threads ;)

-Grizz
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
GrizzlyAdams said:
I disagree and agree with bob smith. 3-4 plants is a good goal, and a 400 watt is just dandy for a 4x4 space. Two ways you can calculate sufficient light. 25 watts per square foot or 3,000+ lumens per square foot. This is minimum ratings for a happy plant, the more the better during flowering. Any experienced grower will tell you 3k/sq ft is sufficient for veg

400 watts.
4W x 4L = 16 square feet.
400/16=25 watts per square foot

400 watts
HPS = avg 127 lumens per watt (some do better than that)
127x400=50,800
50,800/16=3175 lumens per square foot.

There are a few options when you're going to purchase. If you want to go Metal Halide for veg then HPS for flower, you can get a digital ballast or a regular ballast. Difference is, digitals can run any bulb you put into them (except conversion bulbs, they get pissed) and with a regular magnetic ballast you'd have to buy a MH conversion bulb.

I'd go with either
400 watt digital ballast with mh and hps bulbs
OR
600 watt magnetic ballast with HPS bulb and MH conversion bulb

Either way you're going to run into heat buildup problems. You can veg under HPS, and if that's your decision there is a great option. The Son Agro 430 watt HPS bulb. Plugs into a 400W ballast. 400 watts of HPS light with an added 30 watts of blue spectrum light to promote vegetative growth during flowering. I've got one, they kick ass

I've done alot of work with both 400 watt and 600 watt lighting systems in a similar sized space to yours. PM me if you need any more help, I'm not the best at tracking threads ;)

-Grizz
Click to expand...
I guess our definitions of "adequate" are different, and truth be told, for the OP the 400 probably is fine.

That being said, a 400 in a 4x4 space is nowhere near "adequate" for me.
 
Electrofunk

Electrofunk

Member
Thanks for the input, always nice to have multiple opinions. I am somewhat price limited right now and would like to spend <$200 for my light/ballast/reflector part of my setup. Any specific suggestions on products? Does not have to be superior quality, just decent because 1) Can't afford the initial setup cost this time and 2) if this goes well I will upgrade for the next grow.

Thanks, B.
 
B

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
I'd say check craiglist.org for one - you can usually find one for cheap there (depending on where you're at).

If that's not an option, I believe HTGsupply is the lowest that you'll find.

FYI, I have a 400HPS in my veg tent (3x4) and if I could do it again, I'd definitely get a 600 for in there.
 
Electrofunk

Electrofunk

Member
GrizzlyAdams said:
Here ye are matey, it be cheap as a two shilling hooker but it will grow teh weed. Gyeearrr.

http://www.htgsupply.com/growlights.asp?categoryID=1&subcategoryID=155&typeID=55
Click to expand...

Nice link. That's the link I found after following Bob's advice earlier. That is something I can afford.

I have decided to go with Fox Farm Ocean Forest for my soil. However, there is no way I can afford their nutrient packages.

Any suggestions on some moderately priced nutrients, as well as some cheap nutes that I can look between?

--Thanks, B.
 
GrizzlyAdams

GrizzlyAdams

Well-Known Member
FFOF feeds for 3-5 weeks honestly. I usually don't nute my plants in veg until right before they go into flowering. DoeEyed said she has had good success with all purpose miracle grow plant food (the shit thats not time release) but I'd ask her.

If you plant in a smaller pot, then transplant up about 2 weeks into flowering, that will add more fresh soil and you will get away without doing nutes. Would be better with them, but the plant will live. If I were you I'd let it veg for your 18 inches and save some dough. Buy the nutes right before flower and you'll be perfect.
 
fat sam

fat sam

Well-Known Member
go with a 600.... thats really about the lowest you want to go in that size area... you could use a 1000 since you have enough height but 600's are my favorite light.... after your first successfull crop its like a sickness..... more more more ya know.... next thing you know you will have 600's stuffed in every crevice of your house
 
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