Hello all, I just ordered the 400watt solarstorm for CLW. I'm planning on sticking it in my 36x20x63 inch (LxWxH) tent in my closet. I know it's overkill but I'm expecting a larger grow area within the next year. I plan on doing a scrog to keep yield high and plants low. Do you think that 63" is enough height for a 400 watt solarstorm? I've heard these things run pretty hot. Right now I have a 165 cfm fan pulling air out. I'm considering either buying another tent, or buying a larger fan. What are your thoughts?
The CLW SS400w light isn't a true 400w light, it only outputs about 310w and for that tent you're looking at ~62w/sqft so you couldn't go with a much bigger grow area without affecting results. I wouldn't go more than 6-ish sqft with that light and you're already at 5sqft. Of course that's just my opinion. 63"H for a SCROG grow should be fine if you avoid sativas. The 5w diodes do run pretty hot but I guess it also depends on how warm the ambient and intake air is. I use a 400CFM can-fan to air cool 2x1000w HPS lights and it helps a lot so I'd guess the 165 should handle the tent depending on the other factors. SCROG is a lot of work, have you done them before? There are pros and cons for any grow decision...
Disclaimer: I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
Thanks SME. I've never done SCROG before. However, I've done MONTHS of research and my usual method of growing is LST, so I'm hoping with the combined knowledge I should be able to pull it off. The main reason I wanted to grow SCROG is because my height is limited. I feel if I didn't have a screen that the ladies might over grow the area a bit and the 5 watt diodes would burn her . I'm also going to be adding 2 small clip-on fans (one blowing the air from the lamp up, and the other blowing down on the canopy). I'm also going to be adding a larger(10-12inch) fan at the very bottom (near the passive intake) blowing air up. Hopefully this should be enough air flow, as well as keep the temps moderate. If these fail, I'll take the plunge and just buy a small A/C unit.
I was thinking either (2) two-gallon air pots, or (2) three-gallon smart pots. Have you ever used air pots before? Heard they work wonderfully, especially for micro grows.
Thanks again SME. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
I switched to hydroponics long before they invented the airpots and the smartpots so I can't say, personally, if one is better than the other but I've heard good things about both. With all of the needed veg time for training; the larger pot might be better but I'm sure you can get either in bigger sizes too so...try one or both, it's up to you.
Disclaimer: I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.