Newbgrower401
Member
Hey so just harvested my second round of plants and I see hope but it's not what im looking for yet, I've got a "1000w" GIIXER off Amazon was wondering if I should invest in a higher quality light or if it's something I did
Cheap LED vs expensive advice
- Thread starter Newbgrower401
- Start date
Poobzilla
Well-Known Member
I curretnly have a "600W" LED that pushes about as much as yours(115W from wall) and realised within a couple of weeks it aint going to cut it for when i get to flower. It depends on the size of your space aswell, as you want around 30-40w per square foot of space. The ppfd figures that its giving at 12 inches are only 430 umols, flower you are looking at wanting 900 umols across the canopy not just in the small footprint your lights produce. That figure seem even a bit low for veg. With that light you would be looking at a space of 3-4 sq feet. I have a new light coming that has a 220 or 240W driver that should do my 80x80cm tent just right.
I would say upgrade.
I would say upgrade.
Newbgrower401
Member
I appreciate it! Any suggestions? I don't wanna spend big bucks on something that won't pay itself off
Poobzilla
Well-Known Member
I took suggestion for the light I am waiting for so not really sure I should be giving out advice when I was in your boat asking about LED's not too long ago. I am getting a DIY kit thats built for me by DIYLEDUK. There are other companies doing DIY LED kits but you have to assemble them yourself. HLG is a brand that gets mentioned at being good and doing kits. Look on the LED threads for more specific information but genral rule is 30-40W per sq foot, which is the power draw from wall not what the manufacturer puts in the name of the product. I would try going for a white light spectrum aswell. I would love to dive in and give more advice but just about to leave for work and there are others with tons more experience that would be able to give better/more precise advise.
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Newbgrower401
Member
So I've got two of them should I hang them side by side? I've got a 2.5 ft by 5 ft closet that Im using half of for 4 plants and the rest is empty space for now
Poobzilla
Well-Known Member
The 2 may work but not willing to say it will produce any decent yield. As I said I had to seek advice on this issue also. Go to my profile and search my threads, either my grow journal or another thread I started, and that's where I got the majority of my advice from. My light I have ordered was recommended by someone not on this site but then somebody the same day advised of the same company for me to check out. There is lots of good information in the indoor grow room under LED lighting but also lots of trash aswell.
Just got back in from work in a supermarket, so forgive me or I would search this info out for you myself. I have the best job security I have ever had with this outbreak, but customers are driving me to breaking point.
Just got back in from work in a supermarket, so forgive me or I would search this info out for you myself. I have the best job security I have ever had with this outbreak, but customers are driving me to breaking point.
Newbgrower401
Member
I feel ya on the supermarket thing I work in a meat Dept and it's been rediculous, I've been reading threads all day
Newbgrower401
Member
Not at all, I was thinking about getting a spider farmer sf-2000 but not sure if I should spend that much on a light... I love growing but haven't gotten the best results so far
ComfortCreator
Well-Known Member
Cheap vs Expensive misses the point imo. Cost is often a fair and somewhat reliable measure of a products quality but as you can see online you can spend 1000s on lights and still not get it right. Likewise you can spend under $1000 and light a 5x5 space to its limit and beyond. Cost imo isnt key here.
Even the choice of lighting type isnt all that important for results. You should see some threads where pros with lots of experience argue convincingly that LED isnt even superior.
What matters is fundamentals. You need high intensity lighting evenly spread across your growing area. You can do that with HPS or LED. Assuming you like the newer and perhaps safer LED tech, you have to navigate the minefield of b.s. in LEDs
You need to spend some time learning about intensity measured as umols, lux (more cheaply measured), how many watts you need for your space and EFFICIENCY. Dont overlook efficiency. There are LED lights, boards and strips with efficiencies so high you can buy (or build) that will easily max out your grow area and do it without killing your electric bill. Having multiple lights, boards or strips allows you to run them cooler with less risk of canopy heat problems.
You dont need the latest version of any light. There is nothing they discovered this year, or last year, that you cant do without.
There are no magic lights or brands. Some buy knockoffs of Western designed lights from China because its half price. There are no secrets, no magic if someone just uses Light X...its perfect. No. Every situation is different.
Lighting that is evenly distributed is ideal...back to front, left to right. Light that is very high intensity provides the penetration through the canopy needed to light lower branches. Lighting with heat levels that can be controlled well or minimized are ideal, except in cold environments where it can actually help.
I personally am glad I did NOT buy Fluence lighting, because I believe there are equal or better solutions available for less. But they sure as heck thought through every element of their design! Start by reading their site info to get a sense of what real lighting will do.
HLG imo is the best, easiest to get something great cheap option. But its far from the only option. I could reco 10 different good options but its better if you learn enough here to make a really well informed decision.
Even the choice of lighting type isnt all that important for results. You should see some threads where pros with lots of experience argue convincingly that LED isnt even superior.
What matters is fundamentals. You need high intensity lighting evenly spread across your growing area. You can do that with HPS or LED. Assuming you like the newer and perhaps safer LED tech, you have to navigate the minefield of b.s. in LEDs
You need to spend some time learning about intensity measured as umols, lux (more cheaply measured), how many watts you need for your space and EFFICIENCY. Dont overlook efficiency. There are LED lights, boards and strips with efficiencies so high you can buy (or build) that will easily max out your grow area and do it without killing your electric bill. Having multiple lights, boards or strips allows you to run them cooler with less risk of canopy heat problems.
You dont need the latest version of any light. There is nothing they discovered this year, or last year, that you cant do without.
There are no magic lights or brands. Some buy knockoffs of Western designed lights from China because its half price. There are no secrets, no magic if someone just uses Light X...its perfect. No. Every situation is different.
Lighting that is evenly distributed is ideal...back to front, left to right. Light that is very high intensity provides the penetration through the canopy needed to light lower branches. Lighting with heat levels that can be controlled well or minimized are ideal, except in cold environments where it can actually help.
I personally am glad I did NOT buy Fluence lighting, because I believe there are equal or better solutions available for less. But they sure as heck thought through every element of their design! Start by reading their site info to get a sense of what real lighting will do.
HLG imo is the best, easiest to get something great cheap option. But its far from the only option. I could reco 10 different good options but its better if you learn enough here to make a really well informed decision.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Ya, the V1's are a steal anymore while they still have them. The 260 comes with the new XLG driver too which is sweet.
ALL
High Efficiency Quantum Boards® Grow Lamps, Horticulture Modules, Kits and accessories by Horticulture Lighting Group
horticulturelightinggroup.com
Newbgrower401
Member
I have a 2.5x5 ft room, I've only got a CPL plants that I have in half of it, would the light above be efficient for half and possibly another in the future for the other side? I've been reading all day and trying to ask questions but people seem to be a little arrogant
Newbgrower401
Member
And also I've never built a light and I don't wanna burn my place down lol
ComfortCreator
Well-Known Member
I built mine and at first it seemed complicated but a few hours of youtube or reading and you will be fine
CptTripps
Well-Known Member
The SF2000 or the MarsHydro TSW2000 are great "retail" lights for about the same money. Kind of a Ford/Chevy-BMW/Mercedes-Mac/Windows thing. Everyone has a preference as far as the "better retail that you can buy on Amazon" lights are concerned.. If you don't want to do DIY for whatever reason, both are fine lights for the money. (I'm running 2 TSW2000, and 1 TSW3000 in my 4X8 tent, but could have easily bought the SpiderFarmer lights as well.)
With that size/layout (long and narrow) area, you may want to go with something like the MarsHysro TSL2000. It's longer, and would cover the space better. ( https://www.amazon.com/MARS-HYDRO-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Fixtures/dp/B07PLZLKVM/ref=sr_1_1 )
Good luck!
drsprout
Member
This is without a doubt the best value I have gotten in LEDs in the last 4 years of growing, I just ordered a second replacing my blurple and cheap amazon COB -
www.alibaba.com
Meijiu Lm 301h Led Pcb Board Custom Qb288 V3 100w 240w 320w 480w Samsung Lm281b Lm301b Lm301h 300w 2835 Led Grow Light Board - Buy Samsung Lm 301h 281b Lm301h Lm301b Full Spectrum 480w 320w 240w Plant Led Grow Lights 5x5 Hydroponic For Indoor Garden Plant samsung Lm301b Lm301h Led Grow Light Pcb Led Grow Light Board Pcb Lm281b Samsung 120w Uv Ir meijiu Diy Qb288 Led Grow Light Pcb Board Control High Ppfd Grow Light Board Vertical Farm Product on Alibaba.com
Meijiu Lm 301h Led Pcb Board Custom Qb288 V3 100w 240w 320w 480w Samsung Lm281b Lm301b Lm301h 300w 2835 Led Grow Light Board - Buy Samsung Lm 301h 281b Lm301h Lm301b Full Spectrum 480w 320w 240w Plant Led Grow Lights 5x5 Hydroponic For Indoor Garden Plant samsung Lm301b Lm301h Led Grow Light Pcb...
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Does it come with COVID19? Kidding, but kinda not.This is without a doubt the best value I have gotten in LEDs in the last 4 years of growing, I just ordered a second replacing my blurple and cheap amazon COB -
Meijiu Lm 301h Led Pcb Board Custom Qb288 V3 100w 240w 320w 480w Samsung Lm281b Lm301b Lm301h 300w 2835 Led Grow Light Board - Buy Samsung Lm 301h 281b Lm301h Lm301b Full Spectrum 480w 320w 240w Plant Led Grow Lights 5x5 Hydroponic For Indoor Garden Plant samsung Lm301b Lm301h Led Grow Light Pcb Led Grow Light Board Pcb Lm281b Samsung 120w Uv Ir meijiu Diy Qb288 Led Grow Light Pcb Board Control High Ppfd Grow Light Board Vertical Farm Product on Alibaba.com
Meijiu Lm 301h Led Pcb Board Custom Qb288 V3 100w 240w 320w 480w Samsung Lm281b Lm301b Lm301h 300w 2835 Led Grow Light Board - Buy Samsung Lm 301h 281b Lm301h Lm301b Full Spectrum 480w 320w 240w Plant Led Grow Lights 5x5 Hydroponic For Indoor Garden Plant samsung Lm301b Lm301h Led Grow Light Pcb...
drsprout
Member
I understand the concern... recent studies showed (at least this is what I read) that COVID can live on cardboard surfaces for an average of 2-3 days.. I think metals and plastics were in the same ballpark. The shipping time on these, while very reasonable, definitely extends these times. Of course I'd advise (im not a professional) anyone to take risk measures at their own comfort. I sprayed this thing down from the packing outside in with an alcohol spray and opened/assembled wearing gloves for this very reason. Maybe that's overkill. Maybe not. They were easy precautions to take, I've had the light a week and am fine so far. If that changes, I'll put out a word of caution no doubt.
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CptTripps
Well-Known Member
I may look into a few of those to augment my tent too. Thanks for the link.