What would be the better grow room...

Im setting up a larger grow at my new place, I will be growing in tents, but I just can't decide weather I should get 2 5x10 homebox tents, or just 1 large 10x10 tent.

If it was the 10x10 it would be 4 x 1000w air cooled, dual carbon filters, co2.

That or 2 5x10 homebox tents, 1 carbon filter per tent, 2 x 1000w air cooled per tent, c02.

I just cant make up my mind be cause they both have their advantages. Buying 1 larger 10x10 will save me about 200 on the cost of tents. Either way I will be buying 4 new 1000w air cooled hps lights, and 2 carbon filters.

So if I get the one big one I will only need 1 c02 tank and regulator, 1 exhaust and it will probably be nice having it all in one area.

The advantages of getting the 2 5x10 are that they would be way way more stealth, I could have them in separate rooms for additional stealth.

But then I will have to spend more on C02 regulators and all the other little crap I will need setting up each tent.

I cant make up my damn mind.

So should I go for the 10x10 or the dual 5x10?

Any opinions are appreciated

Thanks

I just cant make up my mind be cause they both have their advantages. Buying 1 larger 10x10 will save me about 200 on the cost of tents. Either way I will be buying 4 new 1000w air cooled hps lights, and 2 carbon filters.

Click to expand...

4x1000watts= 4x145,000(lumens) = 580,000 lumens
6x600watts = 6x95000(lumens) = 570,000 lumens

I would guess that more of those 570K lumens are usable than the 580k plus a better light distribution....

I believe it was something like 18 inches away with a 1000 watter = same lumens as 12 inches away with a 600 watter.

read this


-potlike

yeah I would prefer the 600w lights, but 1000w kits go for 300, 600w kits go for 380, always more. Its gonna save me a lot of money to just get the 1000w kits.

I am still definitely looking into 600w tho because it would be better.

But my main question was whether it would be better to do the 1 10x10 tent, or the 2 5x10 tents

thanks anyway

ballast ~$190 + shipping
bulbs ~$26+ shipping
Mogul ~$4+ shipping
DIY Reflector cheap
DIY Cooltube cheap


Less than $300 and that is with a very nice ballast btw

you are welcome

-potlike

You will also have less energy costs with the 600w if you went that route. Which in the LONG run will save you more $ than buying the 1000w.

4x1000= 4000

6x600= 3600

Just my .02

i dont think you can add the lumens like that. each bulb only covers a certain square footage so unless they are all tied together in the same location you will lose lumens over a certain square footage. make sence?

bonz said:

i dont think you can add the lumens like that. each bulb only covers a certain square footage so unless they are all tied together in the same location you will lose lumens over a certain square footage. make sence?

Click to expand...

I'm with him.

More reflectors, more bulbs, more ballasts = more problems and more heat.

Go with 4 x 1000. Why make problems for yourself plus you only have so much room for reflectors in these tents. I'm doing a 5' x 10' tent. I just posted my setup and review of a DR300W in this forum.

Read it if you like

i like the 2 room idea, alls i was saying is that you cant add up your lumens like that

i dont think you can add the lumens like that. each bulb only covers a certain square footage so unless they are all tied together in the same location you will lose lumens over a certain square footage. make sence?

Click to expand...

I could go into inverse square law and estimate light distribution in every corner in the room.... but for the very reason you name it is better to go with smaller lights and 600 watters just happen to be the MOST efficient at 158 lumens per watt while 1000 watters are at 145. As far as adding up the lumens I know not all of those lumens are usable and it diminishes the further out it reaches... which is why 4x1000 is worse than 6x600.

As far as heat goes it is much more manageable to maintain 600 watters in a multi light configuration than 1000 watters. Ballasts should not be a factor in this at all if you setup your room correctly. If ballasts are creating more heat in your room MOVE THEM OUT.

Think of light distribution similar to surround sound speakers. In order to effectively cover the area there needs to be more. What sounds better 2 stereo speakers at the TV as big as they may be OR several small speakers targeting an area?

This should be common sense or how about you go buy one 5000 watt light to light up your house.


-potlike

not sure if this space is intended solely for flowering or not, but if not, i'd do 2 rooms so you can be very clear with veg and flowering space. you can set different parameters for each space depending on the lifecycle's needs. also, it will decrease your chance of any light exposure mistakes.

I agree with potlike, 3 600w lights will be more efficient just because of the light distribution and the fact I can put them closer.

1000w lights have more lumens, but lose lumens per square foot by distance. 600w light can be put closer, making better use of the lumens they provide.

The cost between going with 3 600 per 2 1000w cant compare, I will be spending at least an extra few hundred on more ballasts, bulbs, and hoods.

I will have a complete seperate tent to veg, this is for flowering.

After a lot of research I think I may go with 2 7'11" x 7'11" darkrooms to flower. 4 600w lights in each.

This is going to totally blow my budget and cost about double, but I think I will be a lot happier with the extra space to flower.