Wattage of light needed?

[Symphonix]

This probably seems like the sort of question OS must have covered at least a thousand times before, but I wasn't able to find a really satisfactory answer, so I apologise in advance if it seems like I haven't done my reading.

 

How much wattage do we actually need to use to grow in an indoor area of around half a square metre?

 

A figure I've seen quoted here is "at least 400 watts per square metre" however I'm also led to believe that more wattage equals a faster, more efficient grow. My wife seems to think that we'll need a 1000w lamp to ensure the yield is high and at this stage we really just want to have a quickly grown harvest prior to disassembling for a month or two. I suggested a 600w would probably be more than enough. Surely if you go overboard, you'll end up having problems dealing with the heat ... not to mention the higher power bills. Still, if 1000w is needed, then we are happy to splash out the extra dollars. Any "rules of thumb" I need to keep in mind? Does more light mean faster growth, and if so does this come at the cost of the quality of the crop?

 

Thanks.

[Hanky]

As a rule of thumb you want 50w per square foot. So a 600w will do 12 square foot, 400w will do 8 square foot etc.

 

A 1000w would be way overkill for a half square meter, it would just toast the plants.

[XPATSEEDS]

This probably seems like the sort of question OS must have covered at least a thousand times before, but I wasn't able to find a really satisfactory answer, so I apologise in advance if it seems like I haven't done my reading.

 

How much wattage do we actually need to use to grow in an indoor area of around half a square metre?

 

A figure I've seen quoted here is "at least 400 watts per square metre" however I'm also led to believe that more wattage equals a faster, more efficient grow. My wife seems to think that we'll need a 1000w lamp to ensure the yield is high and at this stage we really just want to have a quickly grown harvest prior to disassembling for a month or two. I suggested a 600w would probably be more than enough. Surely if you go overboard, you'll end up having problems dealing with the heat ... not to mention the higher power bills. Still, if 1000w is needed, then we are happy to splash out the extra dollars. Any "rules of thumb" I need to keep in mind? Does more light mean faster growth, and if so does this come at the cost of the quality of the crop?

 

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Look,

 

Just go and get yourself a 1000 Watt Light...

 

It's not going to cost you that much to run it despite what you might think.

The more light the better is my view.

In terms of cost it works out to be a few bucks more for a whole lot more bang and you can always hang onto it in case you want to expand later on.

 

You'll have to deal with vetilation.. 2 6 inch fans for intake and out... ect..

Go with the 1000!! just to be safe.

 

P.S .. go with the HPS for the entire grow..

 

Xpat

[animal]

Its hard to tell you what light you need unless you give us an idea of what yield you want to aim for.

 

I agree with Hanky a 1000watter is too big for half a square meter. Even a 600 would struggle. I don't think a shade for a 1000watter would even fit inside a 0.5m wide room.

 

Your wife is right obviously the more watts the bigger the yield but you need the space and ventilation to go with it otherwise its a waste of time. Heat is a very big issue with indoor grow rooms; it can stunt growth, makes pest infestation and root rot more likely and can cause excessive stretch and leafy buds in flower. The best grow rooms are cool grow rooms you want to aim between 25 and 30 degrees.

 

50W per square foot is a good intensity that will grow nice buds but at the same time heat won't be too hard to keep under control. I'd recommend increasing the area of your grow room a better option than trying to beef up ventilation to cope with a light too big for your space.

[Symphonix]

Thanks for the replies everyone. We will definitely be taking this all into consideration and ... hehehe ... mulling it over.

[Roadblock]

Hi

 

Dont use 1000s , 2 x 400s or 2 600s are more economical and put out a lot more lumens of light than a single 1000 watt , plus an array of lights are far better than a single light source for distributing the light , a 2 mtr x 2mtr grow space will produce 4 to 6 lb with either 6 x 400 or 4 x 600 setups if thats an indication for you ,

 

Rod

[Sir Crop Alot]

This may help http://cannabis.community.forums.ozstoners...showtopic=11132 room is larger than yours but there's alot of good info there

[dsyfer]

Did you guys check the dates of his posts? After 5 months he probably has bought a light?

[Sir Crop Alot]

Did you guys check the dates of his posts? After 5 months he probably has bought a light?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I missed that :: I just checked the last post

[F420]

doesnt matter as others will probably like the info too.

 

IMO roadblock is spot on the $

 

Dont use 1000s , 2 x 400s or 2 600s are more economical and put out a lot more lumens of light than a single 1000 watt , plus an array of lights are far better than a single light source for distributing the light , a 2 mtr x 2mtr grow space will produce 4 to 6 lb with either 6 x 400 or 4 x 600 setups if thats an indication for you ,