600W MH/HPS Cannabis Grow Setup & Tutorial

Last updated Feb 09, 2024

by Nebula Haze

See Other Examples of Cannabis Growing Setups

600W HPS Grow Setup (For Hobbyist Growers)

Estimated Setup Cost: $495+

  • costs more for premium version of cannabis equipment and optional accessories (that are nice to have but not necessary)

 

About This Setup

The 600W HPS is one of the most powerful and efficient setups you can buy to grow your own cannabis at home. Although the technology behind it is archaic, there’s no denying the high-yielding, high-potency power of the might 600W HPS. Part of the true power of this light comes from the fact that it can be kept so close to plants (as close as 8-10″) while lights of similar wattage have to be kept much further away (18″+).

Pros: Excellent yields, high potency, high bud density, most electrically efficient HPS, relatively cheap to buy especially compared to LEDs.

Cons: Old technology, emits suspicious yellow light, poorly-made models may emit RFI, can get pretty hot

Example of flowering cannabis buds under a 600W HPS grow light

 


Complete Grow Supply List

This cannabis grow room setup list includes all the supplies you need to get to harvest.

Grow Light

* Alternative LED Grow Light: Get the HLG Blackbird (specifically designed for a 4’x4′ grow tent)

Example 2: Much better reflector: iPower 600 Watt HPS MH Digital Dimmable Grow Light - $175
iPower 600W Dimmable HPS Grow Light

Grow Space

A 600W HPS grow light should be kept about 16" away from the tops of your plants

Plant Pots

I prefer fabric pots or air pots because cannabis plants grow faster but need to be watered more often than standard hard-sided plant pots. Both types work great for growing cannabis indoors. Often the best plant pot is whatever is cheap and easy for you to get.

  • Recommended: Fabric pots between 2-7 gallons (any fabric pots work great so I pick whatever is cheap or looks the best to me)

Cost: $25

These 5-gallon fabric pots work great for growing cannabis in this setup.

VIVOSUN 5-Pack 3 Gallon Plant Grow Bags Heavy Duty Thickened Nonwoven Fabric Pots with Handles

 

Grow Medium (Soil, Coco, Hydro)

Grow mediums can include coco coir or soil (hydroponics for more advanced growers) but if you’re not sure, a coco-based soil like Coco Loco is perfect for beginnners.

Cost: ~$40

Coco Loco is a coco-based rich airy soil that cannabis plants thrive in

Nutrients

Many nutrient systems have a nutrient schedule so you give your plants the right ratios for each stage of life. Basically, you use a “vegetative” or all-purpose plant nutrient for the first part of your plant’s life and a “bloom” or low-nitrogen nutrients when buds are forming. Tip: Always start at half-strength with a new base nutrient system since the recommended amount can be too high for cannabis plants.

Recommended Nutrients: Dyna-Gro Grow + Bloom nutrient combo is excellent, cheap, and easy to use for growing cannabis indoors.

  • Dyna-Gro “Grow”: Give 1 tsp per gallon of water during the vegetative stage.
  • Dyna-Gro “Bloom”: Give 1 tsp/gallon of water after buds start forming.

Learn about other cannabis nutrients we recommend

Cost: $25

Dyna-Gro Grow + Bloom is my recommended nutrient system for newbies. One bottle for veg, one bottle for after buds start forming. 1 tsp/gallon. Super simple!

Dyna-Gro Grow + Bloom is my recommended nutrient system for newbies. One bottle for veg, one bottle for after buds start forming. 1 tsp/gallon. Super simple!

Seeds

See a list of recommended seed sources here.

Example of feminized cannabis seeds - every one grew into a female plant!

Other Supplementary Items

Estimated Cost: $495+ (costs more to get optional items)

See Additional Grow Setups

 

These manifolded marijuana plants are living in the "600W" setup

A carbon scrubber prevents odors from leaking out of the tent in the flowering stage

Carbon filter and exhaust system in a 4'x4'x7' grow tent with 600W MH/HPS

Marijuana plants growing under a 600W HPS in a grow tent

On average this setup yields 10-21 ounces

Cannabis plants growing in a 4'x4'x7' tent under a 600W HPS grow light

 

Learn How to Grow 1 Pound of Weed Indoors (Proven Method) in this Setup

 

 

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