Seeking Lighting set-up advice

GreenForMiles

Active Member
Hello, I purchased a nice grow tent that is 60x32x80. I'm trying to find a good lighting fixture for that space, but most the lights I'm finding on amazon say they only cover a 2.5x2.5 or 3x3 area. The grow light I'm looking at is this one- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081CXYP44/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A18523PHJQXHC5&th=1

My preference is LED since I wont have a lot of space for ventilation and getting rid of heat.
I'm only using the tent for veg, I have a separate environment for flower. I'm trying to replace a 600watt metal halide because I know that will keep my plants a decent height. Is one 1000watt LED growlight with the reflective material enough to cover a 5x2 foot area? Or will I need 2 1000watt fixtures for this kind of space? Thanks in advance.
 

jimihendrix1

Well-Known Member
To cover 5 ft, and 2.5ft wide you need 2x 250w at the Wall LEDs. 40.3w Sq/ft.

And use only Samsung/Osram Diodes. 301B-301H/Samsung. Anything else is outdated
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Hello, I purchased a nice grow tent that is 60x32x80. I'm trying to find a good lighting fixture for that space, but most the lights I'm finding on amazon say they only cover a 2.5x2.5 or 3x3 area. The grow light I'm looking at is this one- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081CXYP44/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A18523PHJQXHC5&th=1

My preference is LED since I wont have a lot of space for ventilation and getting rid of heat.
I'm only using the tent for veg, I have a separate environment for flower. I'm trying to replace a 600watt metal halide because I know that will keep my plants a decent height. Is one 1000watt LED growlight with the reflective material enough to cover a 5x2 foot area? Or will I need 2 1000watt fixtures for this kind of space? Thanks in advance.
That light is only 270W, not 1500W, "B1500 only consumes 270W±3%".
It's what's known as a blurple, old obsolete tech. You want around 50 watts/square foot with those and 30-40 with good white LED.
60 x 32 isn't 5 x 2 feet, it's 5 x 2.66, or 13.3 square feet.
The cheap end of good LED would be a DIY strip light or Chinese boards.
 

GreenForMiles

Active Member
There is no way that light will replace a 600w hid. Led's still produce heat, and it will have to be dealt with just like any light.
The tent I have has like 6 ventilation holes, I was told LEDs run a lot cooler compared to MH or HPS. The 2,000 watt says it replaces a 750w metal halide. So I would need an above light with added side lighting? Is there anything affordable you could recommend?
 

GreenForMiles

Active Member
That light is only 270W, not 1500W, "B1500 only consumes 270W±3%".
It's what's known as a blurple, old obsolete tech. You want around 50 watts/square foot with those and 30-40 with good white LED.
60 x 32 isn't 5 x 2 feet, it's 5 x 2.66, or 13.3 square feet.
The cheap end of good LED would be a DIY strip light or Chinese boards.
Thanks for catching that, and for the advice! I'm only planning on utilizing 24 of the 32 inches, but you have a point. Do you think I should stick to my MEtal Halide light? I was afraid it'd be too hot for a tent.
 

Boatguy

Well-Known Member
The tent I have has like 6 ventilation holes, I was told LEDs run a lot cooler compared to MH or HPS. The 2,000 watt says it replaces a 750w metal halide. So I would need an above light with added side lighting? Is there anything affordable you could recommend?
The cooler claim isnt like it sounds, especially on the small scale. In a big facility sure.
The reality is 50w of hid can be replaced by 35w of led. A small difference in a small space, with bigger returns on cooling costs to large scale growers
 

oill

Well-Known Member
Hello, I purchased a nice grow tent that is 60x32x80. I'm trying to find a good lighting fixture for that space, but most the lights I'm finding on amazon say they only cover a 2.5x2.5 or 3x3 area. The grow light I'm looking at is this one- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081CXYP44/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A18523PHJQXHC5&th=1

My preference is LED since I wont have a lot of space for ventilation and getting rid of heat.
I'm only using the tent for veg, I have a separate environment for flower. I'm trying to replace a 600watt metal halide because I know that will keep my plants a decent height. Is one 1000watt LED growlight with the reflective material enough to cover a 5x2 foot area? Or will I need 2 1000watt fixtures for this kind of space? Thanks in advance.
Don't do that...

Get 4 of these! And a driver
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
The 2,000 watt says it replaces a 750w metal halide.
They also market their 270 watt light as 1500W. ;-)
Chinese sellers lie and most lights on amason are crap.

Watt for watt LED makes the same heat, but LED can make as much light with less watts, so less heat. You can also run 80-85F air temps with LED because they don't raise leaf temp above air temp with infrared.

What's your definition of affordable? Lots of people happy with Meiju and Kingbright boards/strips, ask here.

 

GreenForMiles

Active Member
Don't do that...

Get 4 of these! And a driver
referring to above post, if 50watt hid is equal to 35watt led, then wont those four 75 watt boards only be about 420 watts HID?

I may have to stick to classic metal halide, I'm trying to stay under 200$ right now. The driver and the led's together can run up a decent price, and I honestly have no idea what I'm doing with those. At the same time I don't want to go the cheap route and get something that isn't going to work. These lights maybe just right, but I'm intimidated by all this information about led's. For a 5 plant grow, do I really need to invest in big money lighting?
 

oill

Well-Known Member
referring to above post, if 50watt hid is equal to 35watt led, then wont those four 75 watt boards only be about 420 watts HID?

I may have to stick to classic metal halide, I'm trying to stay under 200$ right now. The driver and the led's together can run up a decent price, and I honestly have no idea what I'm doing with those. At the same time I don't want to go the cheap route and get something that isn't going to work. These lights maybe just right, but I'm intimidated by all this information about led's. For a 5 plant grow, do I really need to invest in big money lighting?
Its 125 dollars for 4 boards.... 50 dollars for a driver... then some for some heat sinks. 30 bucks each.... so you would be just over 200 dollars and have an amazing set up.

Alternatively just get a cmh light.. far better than an old school mh.
 

jimihendrix1

Well-Known Member
Bottom line is one needs 40.3w Sq/Ft for properly grown weed using LED.
One needs 62.5w sq/ft for HID, IMHO a Hortilux HPS bulb.

A 600w Hortilux HPS is good for a 3 x 3 area. 66w sq/ft
600w Hortilux has the highest PAR of any 600w bulb. All hortilux bulbs are class leading vs PAR.

There is a single ended 1000w HID out now thats supposed to be 2100umol, and is single ended, and works in a regular ballast.
 

GreenForMiles

Active Member
They also market their 270 watt light as 1500W. ;-)
Chinese sellers lie and most lights on amason are crap.

Watt for watt LED makes the same heat, but LED can make as much light with less watts, so less heat. You can also run 80-85F air temps with LED because they don't raise leaf temp above air temp with infrared.

What's your definition of affordable? Lots of people happy with Meiju and Kingbright boards/strips, ask here.

Thank you for the helpful links, mind if I ask your opinion on the 4 pc LED that @oill recommended?
 

GreenForMiles

Active Member
Its 125 dollars for 4 boards.... 50 dollars for a driver... then some for some heat sinks. 30 bucks each.... so you would be just over 200 dollars and have an amazing set up.

Alternatively just get a cmh light.. far better than an old school mh.
If they'll last a while I don't mind going slightly over budget, I appreciate the help. I'm just seeing a lot of 500$ or more lights, but that was on amazon.
 

oill

Well-Known Member
If they'll last a while I don't mind going slightly over budget, I appreciate the help. I'm just seeing a lot of 500$ or more lights, but that was on amazon.
If your not scared of some basic wiring mate these kits are the best lights you can get. Have a look at hlg light reviews on YouTube and you'll see what I mean.
 

oill

Well-Known Member
If they'll last a while I don't mind going slightly over budget, I appreciate the help. I'm just seeing a lot of 500$ or more lights, but that was on amazon.
Heres your shopping list if you go for it...

4 x qb144s as link
This driver
4 of these https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/diy/products/qb304-board-heatsink-slate-2

Some 18 gauge wire
Some wagon connectors
A wall plug
Some hangers

Also check out the other diy builds on here. Think someone linked above.

Also checkout timber grow lights.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Heres your shopping list if you go for it...

4 x qb144s as link
This driver
4 of these https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/diy/products/qb304-board-heatsink-slate-2

Some 18 gauge wire
Some wagon connectors
A wall plug
Some hangers

Also check out the other diy builds on here. Think someone linked above.

Also checkout timber grow lights.
Do the QB144's mount to that? I thought they were only for the 288's and 304's.
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Thank you for the helpful links, mind if I ask your opinion on the 4 pc LED that @oill recommended?
It's a good setup and a good value. I might go with slightly different driver, but that's often a matter a personal preference. HLG isn't the cheapest, but it's high quality, good service, American company. You might get more watts/dollar with the Chinese stuff I mentioned, but good luck if you have problems.
 
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