switching from 2 400w to 1 600w...

Hey guys. So right now I run 2 400w metal halide ballasts, free hanging in a room that is 7x4ft with 2mil mylar. There are about 8-10 plants that are all about 3ft tall. I'm thinking about switching over to 1 600 watt ballast and eliminating the 2 that I have right now. I am pretty sure that the 600watt will cover the space, my biggest concern is what kind of reflector I should get if I make the switch. I don't want to spend a shit load on a reflector and I don't have the extra resources to buy a reflector that will then require me to purchase ducting, a fan, and all of that shit. One of the local growshops has $25 aluminum steel reflector, here is a link of a similar one: http://www.hydrogardencenter.com/xtrasuniialuminumwingreflector.aspx

So, do you guys think that kind of reflector, with a 600w bulb, will cover a space that is 6-7x4ft with plants that are 3ft tall? My future crop plants will probably be closer to 2.5ft. Anyways, thanks ahead of time for any suggestions, I really want to make this switch, but only if it is going to be worth it for my plants and if I can do it without burning a hole in my pocket.

Thanks!

bump! any advice?

I would say you should skip out all together on buying new reflectors. Use the ones from your old setup, and buy yourself a light rail.
These come automated, and will slowly move your lamp back and forth (on a horizontal plane) through the day. This gives a "sun" effect, as the light keeps moving from left to right or otherwise.

The rails are also adjustable vertically to raise your lamps as plants grow.


As off google

The all new Light Rail 3.5 Intelli Drive with Solid State Advanced Control's fully integrated PCB Circuitry will give you the control you are looking for. With an adjustable 0-60 second time delay you can "fine tune" the length of delay at each end of your lamp's travel to meet your garden's ever changing needs.

Click to expand...

Hey, that pic I posted is actually a link to a site that does stock such apparatus.
Look through it for more parameters, and see if this could work for you!
I am sure, with a little ingenuity you could macgyver yourself a similar setup for next to nothing!

Nose around your garage. You never know what you may find!


Best of luck with your grow, dude..

Hope it all works out for ya!

Cheers.

I don't have the ability to install a rail where I live, I rent here. I also don't have any reflectors at all, as I said in my first post my lights are free hanging ballast/fixtures. Thanks for the suggestion though, Dyzel, I would love to do that kind of system if I were a home owner and had the ability to modify my space like that.

Sorry! I missed that free hanging bit.

Try out a clothes rack?
They need not be fitted anywhere, and will provide you with a frame/bar to hang things off.. You get some really awesome ones on casters too. Great for cleanups as you can roll em in and out of the space.

Check em out



ciao!

I understand that is a great idea and appreciate the thought. But, I'm mostly concerned with a direct answer to my question - what kind of cost-effective reflector can I get for a 600w set up that will cover my space of 7x4ft (without having to purchase extra equipment for the installment)

I have to switch over cost-effectively, I'm a broke mofo and I need to spend my money wisely, so I want to be able to by a set up that wont need any additions or upgrades for at least 1 whole harvest.

7X4 is too big for 600. A 1000 will cover that area.