Hydro Ghost

I am currently setting up a SOG system. It will be an aeroponic "table", 3' X 4', with 4 plants per square foot, 48 total sites, for a total of 12 square feet.

I was wondering whether to go with a 1000 watt HPS for flowering, or a 600 watt? The 1000 watt lamp would provide approximately 83 watts per sq. ft., and the 600 would provide 50 watts per sq. ft..

Is watts per square foot really the most accurate measurement? Since growing SOG style, the plants are much shorter is the high wattage neccessary? Isn't lumens a more accurate way to measure the light received by the plant? Since one lumen is equal to the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot of surface from one foot away, wouldn't it be more efficient to use a 600 watt lamp, since it can be placed closer to the plants? Wouldn't the plants actually receive more light energy from a 600 watt lamp than the 1000 watt lamp, even though the 600 watt lamp has less watts per sq. ft.? If I can place the 600 watt lamp 1/3 closer to the plants than the 1000 watt lamp, wouldn't this negate the wattage benefit of the 1000 watt lamp? I will be using air cooled hoods, and plenty of AC, so heat WILL NOT be a factor in my decision.

The 600 watt lamps cost MORE than the 1000 watt lamps to purchase, but would be more cost efficient in the long run. anybody with a qualified opinion that can help me answer this question would be appreciated.

Cannabis Connoisseur

The rough estimate in C.C.'s stoner math, is that a HID produces, on average, about 125 lumens per watt of power. I grow Sog too..with a fixed 400 hps. At max height, the plant tips are 8" from the bulb. The coverage and pentration of the 400(which you get relatively close if your careful ) makes it ideal for short SoG gardens in my opinion. Have you consider using dual 400's for your space?

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C.C.

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The reason "home-grown" is no longer synonymous with "schwag" is because of the control indoor growers have over the plant environment. Over the last few decades, we have learned what the near-ideal environment is for MJ cultivation. To paraphrase a genious, "We stand on the shoulders of giants".

JoseHempSeed

i think cc's got the right idea...
12 sq ft is a relatively large area - especially to try and cover uniformly with just one light, and even more so when you try and get the lamp close to the plant's tops. the edges of the garden will suffer.
i'd go with 2 600w lamps, if that's possible...
good luck