looking for an LED for flowering
- Thread starter nflguy
- Start date
slinkysaurus
Well-Known Member
Just about every single LED light sold, has a flowering and veg switch. During flower we turn both switch on.
Just get yourself something off amazon or eBay.
Mars Hydro are okay, but have the worst customer service and warranty tendering.
You can get plenty of middle-of-the-road lights online.
Don't worry too much about what you get unless your planning on spending big bucks on BML or such like.
Just about all panel LED'S work very well these days for the job they were intended.
I use 12KW of mixed LED and 2KW of HPS.
I highly recommend one of the quantum board kits from Horticulture Lighting Group. Atreum also makes them. I have boards from both and love them. Alternatively, I'm hearing really great things about the HLG QB96 Elite which includes some supplemental red diodes. You're going to need about 30 watts/sf which puts you at about 215w. If it were me, I would pick up a 4 pack of QB132 V2 in 2700 or 3000k ($129) and drive those with a meanwell HLG-240H-1750A. ($60). Build a very simple aluminum frame for the boards, wire them in series, and you're all set. I would consider putting the driver outside the tent because it does put off some heat. At that current, the boards wont even be warm to the touch. Literally, this is the best LED tech out there and the price is very reasonable. Wiring is even simpler than it sounds, but I'd be happy to walk you through it if you go that direction.
coreywebster
Well-Known Member
Something like this would be good for that space (weird tent size BTW)
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-xw-qb-led-kit in 3k.
No idea when they will restock but you could ask them.
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-xw-qb-led-kit in 3k.
No idea when they will restock but you could ask them.
I know some people like their blurples, but having run both, I can say that the quantum boards are light years ahead. Sorry, couldn't resist. Plus, its not any more expensive to build the boards and they save you a ton of electricity. I forgot to mention that the QB120 would also be an option for you, but you would probably have to wire in parallel and drive the boards a little harder to get enough watts to the floor. I'd have to do some figuring on that setup.
Definitely a good option and, basically, good to go out of the box. There are some videos on youtube showing how to put it together, but my 6 year old could do it. My only concern would be that the light spread seems to be more appropriate for a rectangular space than a square. Not the end of the world.
coreywebster
Well-Known Member
The XW is extra wide so the orientation of the boards is better suited for the square footprint. Although not perfect its better than the normal version.
I have the normal versions, like you say a child could put them together in a couple of minutes.
nflguy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the info guys. Basically I just wanna hang it, plug it in and done. I don't really wanna have to build anything or do any wiring. I'm also looking at cost. With a 30 square foot tent I'm just looking for adequate lighting whether its LED or HPS or even florescent. I do appreciate the help
BudmanTX
Well-Known Member
basically it's a 3x3. I recently just got one of the HLG100, it's really empressing me, they make them in 4k and 3k....
i recently just made a suggestion to another person, look into maybe 2 of them in that space.....
it's just my thoughts...
coreywebster
Well-Known Member
These guys sell the same kits but fully assemble them for you (although it is only like wiring a plug and takes 5min)
https://growerslights.com/collections/horticulture-lighting-group-quantum-board-led-kits/products/horticulture-lighting-group-260-watt-xw-quantum-board-led-kit
There are other options but some 200w pre made fixtures can cost as much as $700 and you need more like 240w so don't really lend well to your tent size.
edit sry, you need 220w not 240. Might get away with 200w
nflguy
Well-Known Member
Thanks budman....appreciate your input
BudmanTX
Well-Known Member
tecnically no, i bought my single one for $150 which for me and my setup is reasonable, honestly, and i can add another panel with out controller and split it if needed...from my research...it's a complete plug and play
if money is an issue, you could always get a single and then run led bulbs without the diffusers off it's works that way too....that's if price is a situation at the moment....
That's why we build them ourselves. Premade they're like $2/watt. DIY you can do it for $.75-1.00/watt and its a fun, quick project. You should be able to make a top of the line LED setup for less than $250. If you go CMH or HPS you're probably talking $150-200, so the difference is pretty negligible.
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
What’s your budget ?
Blurple is a “ cheap “ option .... nothing else. It can grow you some buds.
Blurple is a “ cheap “ option .... nothing else. It can grow you some buds.