Upgrading my light

Hi Guys,

So I just finished my second grow with my 150W HPS light (Sun System), and im not really liking my results so far (not dense enough). Now I was thinking of either getting a second 150W sun system (300W total) or getting a 250W kit. Which one would you recommend? and why?

Im growing in a 2'x2' SecretJardin tent and using the Scrog method if that changes anything.

Thanks,

Bounc3r

Bounc3r said:

Hi Guys,

So I just finished my second grow with my 150W HPS light (Sun System), and im not really liking my results so far (not dense enough). Now I was thinking of either getting a second 150W sun system (300W total) or getting a 250W kit. Which one would you recommend? and why?

Im growing in a 2'x2' SecretJardin tent and using the Scrog method if that changes anything.

Thanks,

Bounc3r

Click to expand...

If you have the money buy an Area 51 led that'll give you better results

Bounc3r said:

I was thinking of either getting a second 150W sun system (300W total) or getting a 250W kit.

Click to expand...

I've never used HID light, but from what I've read you should have 50w/sq ft. For T5HO, CFL, low-quality LED: 40. For high-quality LED: 30. You have 38.

Before buying a new fixture you might try supplementing in flower with side lighting. You can get high-quality LED "lightbulbs" from Home Depot for $7 each. (<<link showing how to mount) They have a 10-year warranty honored by HD. Just walk in and replace the bulb. You'll have to invest in some mounting/aiming/power mgmt hardware, but that's a permanent investment. Something in your bag of tools you can use whenever you need it.

If you put one 9.5w bulb in each corner in flower, that would raise you to 47w/sq ft. That would probably make a big difference. I like the lower 9.5w because I can add more, giving me more coverage for a non-scrog grow. 12w (75w equiv) might be better for you if you want to keep it at one bulb per corner. If you were going to consider 18w (100w equiv), I'd do two 9.5w bulbs in each corner for more coverage. But, that might be overkill for your 150w HID.

I'm sure it's just a matter of more light. I ran T5HO without sidelight. Buds got denser when I added CFL. Ran an 85w chinese (Blackstar) UFO and buds were airy. Added a 9.5w LED in each corner (pictured in the link above) and buds got denser.

What I like about this approach is that it uses commodity parts. You don't need proprietary fixtures, etc. @mauricem00 uses these less expensive lights (<<link). I haven't tried them yet. No 10-year warranty nor as easy as walking into your local HD. But, a good price.

If you added 4 bulbs, that would put you in a good position to replace your HID with an Area51 RW75. It's good for about 20x20". That would give you 37w/sq ft of high-quality LED. Or, go entirely with bulbs. 4 Cree 18w Par38 spots on top ($100 at Home Depot), two 9.5w on each side. That would be 36w/sq ft.

Ebay off the 150 watt and step up to a 400 watt ups with dim able digital ballast. I grow with 300 watt LED though.

I use high output fluorescent (2g11 cfl 55 watt sometime referred to as PL-L55s) but found that adding some cheap ebay red leds improved yield and density. the small 15 watt grow lights wit 3 red leds and 2 blues work well and don't add much heat to your grow room. you can also use 3 watt 660nm leds if you can handle a DIY project adding more deep red to your spectrum and perhaps a small reptile light (UVB) should give you better yield, density, and resin production without "breaking the bank" good luck

I have two 150's. Too much heat and not enough penetration. They will grow decent enough bud though. The problem with the 250w hps is that you can't vent it and they are very expensive for what you get. I finally broke down and bought a dimmable 400w electronic ballast and air cooled hood. I got a sweet deal. $100 for a good hood and solis-tech ballast with a new agriculture bulb.

If 400w is too much light for your space, which it may be then you can just turn down the light to 75% power. A 400w setup will keep you happy longer than a 250w and you can definitely find a good setup for less money.

Or the Area 51 would be pretty awesome if you have the cash. I think the next gen will use 10w LED's.. I am guessing this will provide better penetration.

2x2=4

4 × 40 = 160

Imo 160 watts HPS is right. In the case of 37.5w/sqft, a lack of nug density is largely a fault of early harvest and/or poor genetics and/or limited experience.

Fyi, Ime, led is a downgrade...

Also, replace your bulb at LEAST twice yearly or suffer yield losses in the 10 - 15% range. This loss is easily of greater value than a new bulb.