grow light coverage area

[charltoncityaquaponics]

could someone help me on the usable light coverage differences between 400w,600w & 1000w hps/gh systems? i am trying to figure out how many fixtures i would need to cover my grow beds.

I have 4 sets of indoor grow beds that are roughly 5' x 5.5' each. what i am trying to figure out is the best way to cover the beds for maximum growth without over buying these systems. These beds have no other lighting. This is going to be the primary light source.

this is a similar system to the one i will be building.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...F8&me=&seller=


thank you for all input!!
Mike

[Yabbies4me]

Hi Mike,

For veggies:

1000w good for up to 1.4m² max
600w good for up to 1.2m² max
400w good for up to 1.0m² max

If growing fruiting plants, tomato, capsicum etc, place them in the centre, directly underneath the light and plant the smaller leafy greens etc on the outside edges. I would try and line the growing area in reflective film, mylar etc, to retain as much of the light as possible in the growing area.

Cheers, Yabbies.
.

[Yabbies4me]

Here's a few threads on the topic:

http://www.aquaponics.net.au/forum/s...ndoor+lighting
http://www.aquaponics.net.au/forum/s...ndoor+lighting
http://www.aquaponics.net.au/forum/s...ndoor+lighting

The third thread is a bit long, but there is discussion re lighting throughout the thread... if you want to have a scroll through.

[charltoncityaquaponics]

ok, then i will grow with one 400w reflector for each grow bed (8 50gal rubbermaid stock tanks). my powerbox controller can handle 10 1000w lights.

hopefully this will be good enough but this lighting system is expandable wattage wise. so it should workout. just the added costs of reflectors and ballasts kinda blows.

i will start out using the Phillips master color 400w CMH. my grow beds are set up two side by side with four rows like this = = = =.


thx Yabbies

Mike