How Important is my Hood ?

[Flockshot]

I have a Apollo 600w MH/HPS and got the air cooled hood with 6 inch flang that is stock with the kit on Ebay. After three grows I am very happy with the outfit, but wonder if a different hood might be worth the investment. I get a 'hot spot' with this one and I added a light mover to try and help with that.

It seems that any information you can get on light spread etc. is all from the manufacturers doesn't teach me much. Do any of you own a hood that you really think is great?

 

[kingfish]

When I first started growing. I didn't even use a hood. just hung 1000w bulb in the tent and that was it. It did the job but a hood directs the light much better and you will get better even coverage without hotspots. Now I have a Vented glass covered hood with a inline fan that sucks the hot air out of my room. much more efficient.

 

[Tika]

Just went LED BUT..my last hood was a Raptor 6" which connected to my carbon scrubber which was connected to my out take DuraFan 435 com. I was very happy with it ALTHOUGH it didn't have a drop hing on the glass had a bit of an issue cleaning the interior glass. there are other reflectors that have hinges to clean interior glass..but if I did HPS again I probably would go with two Raptors. I like the spread.
good luck to you!

 

[insomniaczzz]

I'm going to sound silly asking this question. Is the hood only used with certain types of lighting. We used full spectrum LEDs with build in fan. No hood involved.

 

[kingfish]

Yes mostly with MH or HPS. T5 and such have a build in fixture.