specific lighting question -- CFL vs. HPS in grow box

[bjordan]

Hey yaaaaaws,

I've been lurking in the forum for some time now and have been gathering information for my grow. Now, I've done a lot of research on CFLs vs. HPS/HIDs, their pros and cons, etc, but I have a specific question for the grow box I am designing. Here are the details:

a 3ft x 3ft x 7ft grow box made out of industrial shelving. The sides are vinyl coated press board (white finish).

two chambers: one 3x3x2ft box in height for clones, and a 3x3x5ft box for flowering.

My question:
Would a 400Watt HPS/HID be too hot for a 3x3x5 box given I have an exhaust fan and intake ports?

I was initially planning on using CFLs because of their low heat and the fact that you can adjust the bulbs direction and proimity to the plants/add them as needed (money being an issue). This being a long term investment I wouldn't mind paying extra for the HPS setup if it will work in my box.

Thanks

[MrBojangles]

I say go for the 400w setup. If i were you though, i would have a separate intake and exaust ventilation for the bulb. You can find what they refer to as a "cool tube" where you can hook ventilation ducting from an intake fan right onto your cool tube (that your bulb is in) and then send the heated exhaust out of the box thru the exhaust ducting. I saw a compete 400w lighting kit at sunlightsheds.com for like around $200 which is pretty good i think.

The complete kit includes:
1.) 400w Digital Ballast
2.) 6" Inline Air Cooled Reflector
3.) 400W Metal HalidE Bulb
4.) 400W High Pressure Sodium Bulb
5.) Light Mover Pulleys (Two)
6.) 115 CFM Air Cooling Fan
7.) Heavy Duty Timer

[bjordan]

Thanks for your advice! I'm on the look for deals

Would 3 passive intakes and one exhaust fan strong enough for the dimensions of the box suffice to keep things cool?

I'm trying to keep things minimal as possible.

[MrBojangles]

I would assume so, but I don't know for sure, i've always used ventilated lighting. As long as the ambient room temperature stays pretty cool to compensate for the bulb heat im sure you will be okay. Those 400w bulbs can really put off a lot of heat though, especially MH bulbs. Make sure to keep your plants a fair distance from getting burnt.

[bjordan]

thanks Mr. Bo Jangs.

Anyone else have any ideas about heat being too much for this sized box?

[chicken]

my areas the same size as yours, the above advice is dead on, a cool tube for such a small area, is damn near the only way to go,

im running a 400 right now,,, but i have a good '' cool air'' outside intake going on, thru a 4'' pipe, and a rigged up exaust blowing thru a fan/hose, thru a 4'' pipe,, and my temps. are nominal, not where id like them, but livible, .. the main thing is cutting holes, if all is cool you can vent a lot in and move a lot out, keep the air circulating good inside, and youll do fine,,

ive recently invested in a 170 cfm, hurricane fan, but havent brought it online yet. it can be done, it just takes a good planning. id go with the cool tube!!!!

[bjordan]

Thanks for the info everyone, still planning out my box but I'm in motion.

I just purchased a 100cfm computer fan for venting to use with the light-proofing method found in this thread:

http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-room...ox-pc-fan.html
I am going to start my grow with CFLs and add a few hundred watts of HPS later on for flowering.


peeece

[chicken]

good tread, and way to do your research!!!!,,, just remember to paint the inside of your pipe, as i pointed out on '' that thread''. good luck with your '' device''