I am a former outdoor grower recently moved to indoor. I started out using fluorescents and am now wanting to try using HID lights.
The space I would like to do this in is a closet, 5’x3’. The ceiling is angled and at its highest point is approximately 6’, but the light will be hung from 5’. I won’t be using an exhaust system; just a large room fan that oscilates.
I won’t need to light the whole room because I want to section off a 4x3 area for the plants and set up a SCROG. I would like to put 5 plants in that space, so I would use 4 gallon soft pots. That means that light has to cover a 4’x3’ space, or 12 sq. ft. I would like a minimum of 50w per sq. ft., so that is 600w. Each plant will have 2.5 sq. ft. of growing space and I am expecting atleast 2 lbs.
So, my question is how do I light this space with HID lights. I figure that the 600w lamps would be perfect for coverage, but that the heat could get out of control with such low ceilings and no exhaust. Although the fan I would use is much larger than I would normally need in that space. I worry that two 400w lamps wouldnt adequately cover that space since, as far as I know, they cover 3.5’x3.5’ effictiently and my space is 4x3. Meaning they would overlap in length and fall 6 inches shy in width. I feel like 250w just wont work so now I am looking to get some advice. Any and all will be appreciated.