http://www.ebay.com/itm/371874603623 would this light be good
Crap, crappy crap - crap!No.. Those are total shitttt.. Nobody should ever buy those... Don't anybody buy from this seller... Total shit...
Good for veg, but not so good for bloom - at that height.315w CMH
COBs are nice for shorter plants.The question at that price point is: Can you deal with extra heat?
If the answer is yes, grab a cheap iPower HPS setup - you can get the 400w version, though the ballast will probably only last a couple years at most.
If the answer is no... wait it out, spend a bit more and start with a good LED setup. This one from Rapid LED would be a decent start:
http://www.rapidled.com/vero29-triple-cob-array-kit/
It requires a little DIY, but it's like the short-bus version of putting together LED (very hard to mess up...) Get the "A" driver for plug-n-play or the "B" driver if you want to have a knob for dimming. Add on some reflectors and you've only spent maybe 80-100 more than you were initially looking for, and it'll still be good for you to use down-line as a veg light or as part of a higher power array.
While you can get decent results with those Chinese panels, you're going to want to get better lights sooner rather than later. and it's always cheaper to buy great quality once than buy shit quality over and over again.
I'm not having that problem, i get good canopy penetration. But i guess that depends on what kind of COB and optic/reflector you use.COBs are nice for shorter plants.
Once you go tall - they lack needed penetration.
And just how tall are your plants?I'm not having that problem, i get good canopy penetration. But i guess that depends on what kind of COB and optic/reflector you use.
For most small scale (personal) growers like me... 3-4' tall. My current crop is just over 4' and the main issue I have is that i'm out of head space in my tent, penetration is fine.And just how tall are your plants?
I grow tall plants - 6ft+.
COBs are not penetrating enough....period.
Part 1 = yup, your correct.For most small scale (personal) growers like me... 3-4' tall. My current crop is just over 4' and the main issue I have is that i'm out of head space in my tent, penetration is fine.
So yeah, a 1000w DE HPS will penetrate more being a point source and all that, not denying it. It's also not a really good choice if OP either can't evacuate that much heat or doesn't plan to grow 6'+ plants.
My previous response to OP specifically suggested picking up a 400w-600w HPS if he had a way to deal with the heat it creates and save up a bit more for a COB setup if they didn't. Not sure how that's a negative thing. HPS still has it's place as a decent low-cost lighting solution.He has a LIMITED spending limit - you didn't take the time to actually READ that part, did you? For what he can spend. He can't touch a COB LED......
I gave him the best choice for his price limits......
Your love for COB's and the need to spread the word on them is noted......
Technically, you suggested a 400. No 600 in that post. Then you say to hold out for COB's....I answered that part "NoPants" . (just having fun here)My previous response to OP specifically suggested picking up a 400w-600w HPS if he had a way to deal with the heat it creates and save up a bit more for a COB setup if they didn't. Not sure how that's a negative thing. HPS still has it's place as a decent low-cost lighting solution.
Technically, you suggested a 400. No 600 in that post. Then you say to hold out for COB's....I answered that part "NoPants" . (just having fun here)
A 600 is perfect for his start up. He would not have to "upgrade" later - other then to add a second set due to the 6' length.
The resulting available Umal's would be more like a 1K in that space....
HPS will be around yet for a long time.. Until the lighting industry can produce something that can actually run a tall production plant, other then HPS. Every single commercial facility I've seen. Runs HPS DE or otherwise.