Because of the continuous HUM of my 430 HPS, I have went and bought ( today - after reading this thread ) a new lighting system. It is not the Envirolite though. I have spoken to a lighting expert ( not a grow shop ) and they said that the new compacts put out that much, but so much of the light gets trapped inside the three bulb layout.
So I went with a Long (BIAX) High Output Compact Fluorescents ( it is like a long side by side square, with a four prong ballist conection )
The ones I purchased is a quad light for the top, it has 2 - 6500k - 55watt bulbs and 2 - 3000k - 55w bulbs , in a 2' x 17" fixture with 2 - A catagory ( lowest amount of sound ) electronic ballasts, with a mirrored reflector. Each bulb is 3800 Lumen and the CRI is 96!
For the sides / bottoms, I purchased 2 - 6500k bulbs and the same ballest in a compact housing ( like a strip fluoresent light )
That will be a total of 15,200 lumens on top and 7,600 on the sides. for a total of 22,800 lumens of light.
That is about 120 watts less, and about 6 amps less of current.
This will be placed on a 2' x 2' x 6' high grow chamber. I am using an aero - hydro grow system.
I TOTALY agree with the plant serface lumens caculations as posted above, and with this light setup I sould be able to have them within 2-3 inches from the top of the plants! I do not think I will ever need more then that for my own personal use
The lights are from naturallightingdotcom look under contact fluor, at the bottom of the page.
Regards. and thanks for the great thread. Will keep every one updated and have photos when it is all set up.
Regards.
Morphious ??
PS, anybody want to buy a hydrofarm, 430 son agro HPS ( slightly used )