Light Power Consumption with no energy bill?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by doubledoose, Jan 17, 2011.

  1. I know this is my second post, but I have done a lot of research on this website in preparation for my first grow. It will be an indoor white widow grow but that is the extent of what I have decided on. Everywhere I have read basically agrees that HPS bulbs are the way to go at least for the flowering stage, but the reasoning behind this has several contributing factors which include cost, power consumption, heat, and obviously how well the plants respond to the lightwaves emitted. My question is I live in a house where the utilities are paid by the landlord. With energy consumption not a factor would anyone consider using a different light source? Would you recommend using flourescents for the veg/mother room?
     
  2. A good alternative is EYE Hortilux bulbs. theyre kind of really good apparently.


    EYE Hortilux Lamps
     
  3. So in effect the landlord will be seeing your electric bill -- and paying it, but from a stealth standpoint you have to consider that he's seeing it. Doubt he would conclude you are growing pot, but it might look big to him compared to expectations, last tenant's bill, etc.

    He might come back to you and ask you to pay anything over XX, something like that. He might even ask you about your power usage, why it's so high, so you better have a plausible answer prepared for him.
     

  4. Those are some good points. However my landlord split a meter 3 ways and he will not be able to determine which unit the power is coming from. Currently I am on a month to month lease and I have considered signing a lease to decrease my landlord's ability to evict. I do want to be as green with my green as possible so I will most likely be using a CFL setup in the veg room and a HPS in the flowering. Thanks for the feedback:D.
     
  5. #5 waveslyder, Jan 18, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 18, 2011
    Just get a T5 if you plan to grow small. There are full grows posted on this site with T5 from start to finish. You may not get the results you would get from a HID, but power consumption is low and heat is very low. The results ive seen were not bad at all considering.

    You can use 6500k for veg and then use a mix of 6500k and 2400k to flower. They sell T5 enhanced spectrum for Veg and flower both.
     
  6. I feel like this is the answer to the opposite of my question, maybe you just read the title, it could be deceiving. I actually don't care about power consumption as my landlord foots the utility bill and it would be both extremely difficult and time consuming for him to determine which unit is drawing extra power. For clarity let me give you an example of the question:

    Suppose a certain size grow room requires x amount of lumens for a plant to flower and thrive. My grow rooms will be about 5' x 3' x 7' for the flower room, and I originally planned to have a single 600 watt HPS running. My question is if I pack 2 600 watt HPS or combo that yields me 150-200 watts per plant will the yield increase or can the plants only absorb so much light?

    If this is possible and just not normally done because of the energy exhausted on a small grow area, can anyone think of other adjustments I would need to make? I read the stickies on photosynthesis and lighting and venting, but when it comes down to it I'm just a stoner on his first grow. Aside from this one alteration I would like to take advantage, the rest of my setup would need to be altered for proper ventilation. If I did have two HPS's will I get better light efficiency with side by side horizontal light setup, or should I angle them against each other.

    Again the strain I will most likely be growing is White Widow, from clone not seed, I plan to veg the girls until they are big and strong 18/6, I will be SCroging, and I will be using bubble buckets. Thanks for any nput.;)
     
  7. My bad man and yeah didnt read whole post since im on my laptop fucking off at work...lol.
     
  8. The more light the better. HIDs are good, but no where near what the sun puts out, so IMO I say pack all you can without heat issues. More light, more buds, more smiles. :)

    I have a 400 and 600 in a 8ft long 3.5 feet wide and 8 ft tall space. My girls are HAPPY HAPPY!!!
     

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