Pros/cons Cooled Hood/cool Tube??

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Good topic. I am planning to upgrade to Cool tubes. I spotted some good deals on www.bghydro.com (dual 600W cooltubes with a single ballast). I really want to see some reviews here from folks who have them. Currently I have an aircooled 1000W hood and the shape does not allow good coverage of 12 plants (using a light mover) even qith maylar. Seems that tubes would do better job because you can fit two of them into the same area.

 

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I have used both cooled and uncooled lights and am currently using both. Normally a 400 watt light doesn't make enough heat to cause a big problem. A little in and out ventilation taking heat out in a high location with intake being taken in low works well. What heat there is will be moved up and away naturally even in a passive ventilation system as heat rises.

Cooled lights really shine however when more lighting is used in a space. If you are growing in a very confined space a cooled light would work just as well or better. The thing I like about cooled lights is the way they serve 2 functions. Removing heat and ventilation of the room. The more ventilation the better in my opinion but that also depends on whether you supplement with co2 or not. I don't recommend it for new growers actually because restricting ventilation is the most likely cause of many problems. Watch humidity and keep it below 50.

Here is one of my cooled 1000 watt super hps lights. It's a Eurotube. BOG

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Yeah. By regulating the amount of fresh air you can control heat effectively. If too hot consider running the light at night when cooler air is available to bring in. If too cold run them at night when its coldest but dont draw iin the cold air. Do watch that humidity however. Good Luck with your little project. I have seen excellent yields even from first time growers under a 400. BOG

 

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Spend a 5 dollar bill on a cheapo temperature and relative humidity gauge of the digital sort now available at Wal-mart or anywhere. Keep it under 50 day and night and be aware that humidity increases as temp decreases. That's what's relative about it.

At the dark time temps fall off normally but the less the better and running them at night definately helps. Your humidity may not be a problem at all given your environment outside being dry. Good Luck. BOG