# Add 400w M/H or not worth it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Lighting\ **Created:** [December 15, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187 "2018-12-15T15:28:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/21 "2018-12-18T22:37:18Z")
> [@Liljoe](#): > > here is the light meter i have. looks to be better quality then mine.! take that ‘hood’ off the 400, those r junk, its better off free hanging then being in that.!! if u can, position the bulb horizontal instead and use a foil pan for a ‘hood’, seeing your other DIY hoods i think u will make a much better reflector then that cone shaped piece of shit.! a simple A frame hood works good, think of a book being half open (90 deg), then center the bulb in the A at least 1" above the bottom and it will project nice and wide, the open ends allows heat to leave easily and will actually run slightly cooler then a conventional hood. (just threw 2 of these away about 8 months ago) wish i could let u borrow a hood until u upgraded to something better, i have 2 hoods in storage. ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:57pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/22 "2018-12-18T22:57:09Z")
@SlowOldGuy thanks for info on making a hood. I do agree these round ones r junk, all the ‘good’ light is in a circle and not much at all directly under bulb. I have anoth socket I am gnna fab upa hood with it and just swap them out. I just wanted the xtra light in there ASAP lol . I have it lite up now, Was able to space my plants out nice now tho. And each 1 has a diy fixture on them plus the 400w. Definitely brought my lux readings up abit all around so I am happy about that for now. Hoepfully have it horizontal soon,been pretty busy lately but atleast its up and running now 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/23 "2018-12-18T23:03:31Z")
@SlowOldGuy I ended up with 3 of these 400watt lights, I was thinking about taking 1 of the cicle ones and cutting it in half from top to bottom and butt the ends together. will look like half of a foot ball kind of thing lol any thoughts on how the light would reflect off that?? ---
**Author:** ![peachfuzz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/peachfuzz/32/38092_2.png) [@peachfuzz](https://ilgmforum.com/u/peachfuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/24 "2018-12-18T23:43:29Z")
Holly $hit @Liljoe … I love your ingenuity… you remind me of me… 😁 I love it … 😉 Are those mh or hps …? Mh will add a crap load of heat , just from the bulb… just make sure that your using virtacal bulbs in those lights… horizontal bulbs will work differently… gas burns different… 🤔 Does bulb hang straight down or does it hang sideways? ✌🕶 ---
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/25 "2018-12-18T23:52:02Z")
> [@peachfuzz](#): > > just make sure that your using virtacal bulbs his bulbs r Universal, they can hang both ways.! right now it is positioned vertical in the cone. ---
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/26 "2018-12-18T23:58:40Z")
> [@Liljoe](#): > > any thoughts on how the light would reflect off that?? anything is better then nothing… plywood covered with mylar, a football dome… try the A frame, plywood and aluminum foil would work descent, just needs to be the size of a large laptop (maybe a little bigger) and semi open on both ends, this spreads the light very well for the simplicity of the fixture.!! and has no hot spots that u get with rounded fixtures.! i know it sounds weird, but 2 flat surfaces 90 degrees from each other is ideal for this simple set up. ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/27 "2018-12-19T00:04:04Z")
HaHa thanks @peachfuzz . and yes they r universal bulbs I have. I only plan on using 1 for about 5 or 6 weeks roughly. just to help finish flowering. Then I hope to be able to buy my Quantom Boards. This set up is VERY temporary. I have been watchin my temps closely to make sure all is well. its vertical now as @slowOldGuy mentioned, but I have other sockets and will fabricate a vertical shield soon. I am still not 100% keen on having the 400w in there but I will take what I can get at this point lol My girls got a weee bit bigger than I had planned 😃 I may try make a horizontal one out of one of the dome cones lol ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:06am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/28 "2018-12-19T00:06:30Z")
@SlowOldGuy so your thinking flat will be best? 🤔 Gnna have to see what kind of treasures I have stashed in garage and shed to make one lol ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/29 "2018-12-19T00:09:12Z")
> [@peachfuzz](#): > > Are those mh or hps …? The HPS bulb I have is burnt out and 2 MH sitting here so that’s why I am using the MH. And YES the heat is wild from just the bulb, I went thru the trouble or rewiring with longer wires so I can mount transformer on the roof of my room to keep heat out lol ---
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/30 "2018-12-19T00:14:07Z")
> [@Liljoe](#): > > your thinking flat will be best /\ \< that shape when looking at the end of the bulb, literally 2 flat surfaces at a 90 degree angle to each other, start with some cardboard, make 2 pieces and hold a bulb in there, u need 1-2 inches clearance on the sides and bottom, i m thinking 12-18" square pieces…??? wish i had pics of the ones i built.! ---
**Author:** ![peachfuzz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/peachfuzz/32/38092_2.png) [@peachfuzz](https://ilgmforum.com/u/peachfuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/31 "2018-12-19T00:17:00Z")
Yes and no… I don’t want to see you on fire or electricutided… but I luv your ingenuity… 😉 ✌🕶 ---
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/32 "2018-12-19T00:17:31Z")
save a few bucks and get a $25 MH bulb from the hydro store, hardware store would be okay if no hydro shop is near by, a HPS conversion bulb might get u thru another grow or 3…??? u should have 2000 candle power 18" away from the bulb, anything less and its time for a new one.! ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/33 "2018-12-19T00:23:07Z")
Thanks for info @SlowOldGuy I do want to get a bulb next time I am in town. I live in the bush and try to go into town as little as possible, driving kills my back ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/34 "2018-12-19T00:25:04Z")
I am going to test the candle power/ lux reading at 18inches later for sure, rite now my little guy wants daddy, got to go lol. Talk to ya later ---
**Author:** ![peachfuzz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/peachfuzz/32/38092_2.png) [@peachfuzz](https://ilgmforum.com/u/peachfuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/35 "2018-12-19T00:25:05Z")
Danm you @SlowOldGuy , you are encouraging this … 😁 He needs to be safe first…and then he will be growing fat dank… 😉 Safety , first , always … really… 😉 I can show you how to grow … I just don’t want to see you in danger… 😉 I’m just messing with @SlowOldGuy… really I’m just messing… 😉 ✌🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:26am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/36 "2018-12-19T00:26:57Z")
lmao @peachfuzz thanks I am actually kinda scared myself lol Its only temporary lol I don’t like the hydro its prob SUCKING up rite now and wife aint gnna like either 😁 ---
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:29am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/37 "2018-12-19T00:29:03Z")
here was my last ‘DIY’ hoods… ![WIN_20180404_19_05_57_Pro](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/3X/f/e/fea8d7192bfd21fa708ec482b5e06e08b40c26cd.jpeg) ![WIN_20180404_19_04_05_Pro](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/3X/9/a/9a794300da9bab9babe81edee454d61aea739322.jpeg) ![WIN_20180429_11_23_18_Pro](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/3X/1/1/117ebbe538898f5d85b24bbcfe4f887f94ace424.jpeg) they were in a ‘DIY’ box, 400w MH veg, 400w HPS flower.! i have used 400w MH only and 2x 400w MH, it does great, not enough red, but great.! keep the temps down and u will be very pleased with the MH addition.!! ---
**Author:** ![Liljoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/liljoe/32/157838_2.png) [@Liljoe](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Liljoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/38 "2018-12-19T00:31:13Z")
Very nice work!!! ---
**Author:** ![SlowOldGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/slowoldguy/32/170324_2.png) [@SlowOldGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SlowOldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/39 "2018-12-19T00:38:11Z")
> [@Liljoe](#): > > Very nice work!! that was $100 in material, months of planning, and 2 or 3 evenings each to build, come get one.!!! simple aluminum roof flashing works just fine, galvanized would work, wood with foil on it… NO regular paint, and maybe high heat paint, i do NOT know. ---
**Author:** ![peachfuzz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/peachfuzz/32/38092_2.png) [@peachfuzz](https://ilgmforum.com/u/peachfuzz)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187/40 "2018-12-19T00:51:01Z")
You in my thread…? I’ll tag you in if not… scroll to the top and watch the progress… until about 20 min ago… 😁 @Liljoe ✌🕶 [Previous page](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187.md?page=1) [Next page](https://ilgmforum.com/t/add-400w-m-h-or-not-worth-it/26187.md?page=3)