Which LED to buy?

Project Ponics

Project Ponics

Well-Known Member
Buying one of these this weekend, unless someone has a better option for the $200 price range?

Plan on using it in a 4x2 which the samsung led would be perfect and cheaper in the end run, but was told to go.with qb. If I do go with qb's I'd have to at least get one more if not two.

What do yall think between these 3 lights? Just seen the qb-324 on the website earlier, not sure based on it's new has no reviews and doesn't give much detail other than saying "a mix of 2700k diodes."

Samsung LED strips 300w:

https://www.omegalight.net/product-page/300wx8

QB288 V2:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights-flower-footprint-2-x-2/products/horticulture-lighting-group-135-watt-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194280718437

QB-324:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights-flower-footprint-2-x-2/products/horticulture-lighting-group-160-watt-qb-324-quantum-board-led-kit
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Project Ponics said:
Buying one of these this weekend, unless someone has a better option for the $200 price range?

Plan on using it in a 4x2 which the samsung led would be perfect and cheaper in the end run, but was told to go.with qb. If I do go with qb's I'd have to at least get one more if not two.

What do yall think between these 3 lights? Just seen the qb-324 on the website earlier, not sure based on it's new has no reviews and doesn't give much detail other than saying "a mix of 2700k diodes."

Samsung LED strips 300w:

https://www.omegalight.net/product-page/300wx8

QB288 V2:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights-flower-footprint-2-x-2/products/horticulture-lighting-group-135-watt-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194280718437

QB-324:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights-flower-footprint-2-x-2/products/horticulture-lighting-group-160-watt-qb-324-quantum-board-led-kit
Click to expand...
@nfhiggs omega lighting will take care of your 2X4 just fine.
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
Project Ponics said:
Buying one of these this weekend, unless someone has a better option for the $200 price range?

Plan on using it in a 4x2 which the samsung led would be perfect and cheaper in the end run, but was told to go.with qb. If I do go with qb's I'd have to at least get one more if not two.

What do yall think between these 3 lights? Just seen the qb-324 on the website earlier, not sure based on it's new has no reviews and doesn't give much detail other than saying "a mix of 2700k diodes."

Samsung LED strips 300w:

https://www.omegalight.net/product-page/300wx8

QB288 V2:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights-flower-footprint-2-x-2/products/horticulture-lighting-group-135-watt-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194280718437

QB-324:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights-flower-footprint-2-x-2/products/horticulture-lighting-group-160-watt-qb-324-quantum-board-led-kit
Click to expand...
The eight Samsung F-strip build is the same amount of diodes in two of the QB 288 boards and uses the same diode as was used in the V1 Quantum boards, Samsung's LM561C. The QB 288 V2 Quantum boards use the new Samsung LM301B diode which is a little bit more efficient - about 5% or so. The QB324 OTOH, used a Nichia diode (don't recall exactly which one) which was supposed to be a little more efficient than the QB288/304 V1 boards.

For a 4x2, the Samsung strip build is a perfect fit, and while the QB setups are a little bit more electrically efficient, they really don't fit a 4x2, you would need two of them to fill that space properly. So really its a matter of whether you want to spend twice as much money to get 10% more photons per watt.
 
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
All are good lights, but the 300wx8 is the best for a 2x4. The QB's are a little low on power for that area. The 300wx8 has plenty of power and much better coverage/light spread. I'd prefer an HLG driver, but that's more money.

Edit: The HLG driver mentioned is a series/model made by Meanwell, it has no connection to horticulturelightinggroup.com
 
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Project Ponics

Project Ponics

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
All are good lights, but the 300wx8 is the best for a 2x4. The QB's are a little low on power for that area. The 300wx8 has plenty of power and much better coverage/light spread. I'd prefer an HLG driver, but that's more money.
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Yeah seen it's powered off of two meanwell's.

@nfhiggs just curious why it does have 2x power supplies instead just using one?
 
Project Ponics

Project Ponics

Well-Known Member
nfhiggs said:
It just happened to be what I had on hand at the time. A single 350W supply can be substituted for no additional charge. With two supplies you have some redundancy in case of failure.
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No worries at all, I'm sure it all works the same haha. I will be ordering it Friday definitely. I know I was about to order the 150w but I'm glad I waited and saved a little more cash to get the 300w.

I'm using this in a 4x2x5 or 6 tent. Really aiming for a 6' tent but I only found 2-3 brands that have them and they seem cheaply made for $60. The better brands like mars hydro has one that's 6' but is $120-130... which is a little pricey for a tent I guess. But anyways any recommendations when using the light? I will be using it for veg and flowering. I do have a couple questions though.

1. What's recommend height for seedlings, late veg and flowering?
2. Will two hanger straps hold this just fine with the design of it, I take it that's what the chain links are for?
3. I plan on growing 3-4 photo plants with a scrog, will this fill out a packed 4x2 easily? Or could I possibly add a little more light such as another strip or two to the fixture?

Sorry fairly new to everything so just wanted to make sure before spending $200 on a light. :)
 
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nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
Project Ponics said:
No worries at all, I'm sure it all works the same haha. I will be ordering it Friday definitely. I know I was about to order the 150w but I'm glad I waited and saved a little more cash to get the 300w.

I'm using this in a 4x2x5 or 6 tent. Really aiming for a 6' tent but I only found 2-3 brands that have them and they seem cheaply made for $60. The better brands like mars hydro has one that's 6' but is $120-130... which is a little pricey for a tent I guess. But anyways any recommendations when using the light? I will be using it for veg and flowering. I do have a couple questions though.

1. What's recommend height for seedlings, late veg and flowering?
2. Will two hanger straps hold this just fine with the design of it, I take it that's what the chain links are for?
3. I plan on growing 3-4 photo plants with a scrog, will this fill out a packed 4x2 easily? Or could I possibly add a little more light such as another strip or two to the fixture?

Sorry fairly new to everything so just wanted to make sure before spending $200 on a light. :)
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I would dial it down a bit for seedlings - 160-200 watts total. I just started seedlings under a 2x2 sized light and they are doing quite well at 100W. I have the light raised 36" from the floor. I just let the plants grow right up to it. when they get within 12" or so then I will start raising it. You can follow the grow here:
https://imgur.com/a/AnCxZKI

They are a little over three weeks from seed. Waiting for one to show her girly parts.
 
S

SexForBreakfast

Active Member
Actually on the same website you posted for $95 more you may be happier with this $295 vs $200, a little bit more but youll get improved heat distribution and improved quality of light, as well as a more efficient driver that in the very long run will save you money on energy too

https://www.omegalight.net/product-page/320wx12

Edit: this is more for @nfhiggs to go over than you he knows so much more than i do!
 
Project Ponics

Project Ponics

Well-Known Member
nfhiggs said:
I would dial it down a bit for seedlings - 160-200 watts total. I just started seedlings under a 2x2 sized light and they are doing quite well at 100W. I have the light raised 36" from the floor. I just let the plants grow right up to it. when they get within 12" or so then I will start raising it. You can follow the grow here:
https://imgur.com/a/AnCxZKI

They are a little over three weeks from seed. Waiting for one to show her girly parts.
Click to expand...
Awesome because I have two plants about the same age/height. They are on actually on day 30 now that I just realized it haha. I planted them last month today. I will be using your light for them!

SexForBreakfast said:
I would definitely go with the samsung strips like everyone else said, unless you just wanna ball out :D

i don't think you'll go wrong no matter what you choose just a matter of your wallet from what i can see
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Yeah I need something a little on the cheaper side sooner than later. I can always keep upgrading.

The samsung strip light seems to fill the needs of mine for the lower cost and just work all around, will eliminate me needing to spend another $200 to get the same wattage again in two weeks when I can get over double for the same price.
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
Project Ponics said:
1. What's recommend height for seedlings, late veg and flowering?
2. Will two hanger straps hold this just fine with the design of it, I take it that's what the chain links are for?
3. I plan on growing 3-4 photo plants with a scrog, will this fill out a packed 4x2 easily? Or could I possibly add a little more light such as another strip or two to the fixture?
Click to expand...
1 - Start seedlings out about 2'-2.5' feet from the light and just let them grow toward it instead of lowering it. Once they get within 12" start raising it bit by bit to maintain a constant distance. For flower you can let them get within 6"- 8".
2. Four hangers work better, with just two you have to play around with chain lengths to get it to balance.
3. I flower in a 2x4 and the strips fill it out really well - I can scrog a single plant into the whole space:
https://imgur.com/KRfOfKy
Two plants in a 2x4 is what I would recommend - gives them both a bit of elbow room. I've done three and it was a bit crowded, but thats just me.
 
S

SexForBreakfast

Active Member
Project Ponics said:
Awesome because I have two plants about the same age/height. They are on actually on day 30 now that I just realized it haha. I planted them last month today. I will be using your light for them!



Yeah I need something a little on the cheaper side sooner than later. I can always keep upgrading.

The samsung strip light seems to fill the needs of mine for the lower cost and just work all around, will eliminate me needing to spend another $200 to get the same wattage again in two weeks when I can get over double for the same price.
Click to expand...
Ah, i'm completely with you there man. The link i posted is actually of another F-Strip build that's ran a little cooler it's not the qb's, but the extra 30% price is a killer!

youll be happy with that setup you're looking at man :)
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
nfhiggs said:
1 - Start seedlings out about 2'-2.5' feet from the light and just let them grow toward it instead of lowering it. Once they get within 12" start raising it bit by bit to maintain a constant distance. For flower you can let them get within 6"- 8".
2. Four hangers work better, with just two you have to play around with chain lengths to get it to balance.
3. I flower in a 2x4 and the strips fill it out really well - I can scrog a single plant into the whole space:
https://imgur.com/KRfOfKy
Two plants in a 2x4 is what I would recommend - gives them both a bit of elbow room. I've done three and it was a bit crowded, but thats just me.
Click to expand...
Agree, cramming 4 plants in a 2'X4' space is gonna be quite hectic I think you'll find.
 
Project Ponics

Project Ponics

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
Agree, cramming 4 plants in a 2'X4' space is gonna be quite hectic I think you'll find.
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I mean I guess it depends on what size pots. My buddy does a micro grow or sog and runs 6-8 1-2 gal pots, doesn't do it on a basis but sometimes and he currently has a grow going now with 8 in a 4x2. I can fit 3x 3gal pots in my 2x2 but its crammed and I cant veg long at all... I fit 4x 2gal pots in my 2x2 as well but like I said, didn't veg long at all considering not only is it 2x2 its's only 48" high which I didn't think about before hand. Like I said I am new to everything. I'm only on my third grow ever, this is why I'm upgrading! Lol.
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Project Ponics said:
I mean I guess it depends on what size pots. My buddy does a micro grow or sog and runs 6-8 1-2 gal pots, doesn't do it on a basis but sometimes and he currently has a grow going now with 8 in a 4x2. I can fit 3x 3gal pots in my 2x2 but its crammed and I cant veg long at all... I fit 4x 2gal pots in my 2x2 as well but like I said, didn't veg long at all considering not only is it 2x2 its's only 48" high which I didn't think about before hand. Like I said I am new to everything lol. I'm only on my third grow ever.
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Well keep on keeping on! Those are the kind of experiences you truly learn from.
 
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