i have a 4 x 4 room i plan on having a 600w for 5 plants. i got the thinkinking for fun what wattage would i use if i used smalls lights for each plant?
I think you're much better off with the single 600w. I'm assuming it's HPS you're talking about. A 600w is fine for a 4x4 room. If you were to use 4 150w bulbs it would end up costing much more to buy the equipment as well as more in electricity. The 600w are the most efficient HPS bulbs. The ballast also uses a few watts, so if you have loads of ballasts you will also have extra consumption for each ballast. 4 150w bulbs will also create a lot more heat than 1 600w. Plus it's much easier.
If you're thinking of going with CFLs, to get the same amount of light as a 600w HPS you will need well over 600w of CFLs. I wouldn't recommend it. CFLs are handy for vegging or small closet grows. A 4x4 tent needs a 600w HPS at least.
