Ok so here's a quick rundown on my situation. I was planning on starting my first grow soon using the money I got in tax return, sort of as an investment. Unfortunately, I didn't get much back so I started this whole journey on an insanely tight budget, but so far I've made it work. I managed to score 2 brand-new 2 x 4 grow tents for $50. 12 5-gallon fabric pots for $9, I'm sharing one exhaust system (4inch carbon filter, ducting, and inline fan) between the tents which I acquired separately for a total cost of about $50. Got about 10 fem seeds (6 auto, 4 photos from seedsman and gyo seedbank respectively) for another $50. Im planning to put together my own scrog nets, thrift a few fans, DIY a humidifier, and buy a hygrometer, pH meter, growing medium, and nutes all for <$100. As you can probably tell by now, I'm trying the stretch my dollars as far as they can possibly go, and Im spending hours online searching for the best deals, coupon codes, resales, etc to make sure I get a highly efficient setup for as cheap as possible without sacrificing yield or quality.
Which has brought me to my current dilemma....
I dont want to cut corners on lights for these tents for obvious reasons, but looking at the prices for these high efficiency LED lights its making me think I launched 'mission impossible'.
I've had my heart set on the Mars Hydro SP-250 but with a cost of $260 for each light (more than $500 total for 2) it became clear very quickly I would not be getting them. But Im hoping theres a way I can build one.
Which is where I need help.
How would I go about making something very similar to the SP-250? I've watched a few YouTube tutorials on building basic LED grow lights but Im not sure which techniques would apply to this particular goal I have. I need the fixture to have a 2 x 4 coverage for veg and flower, be full spectrum, and be capable of producing high yields. I'm also hoping to have something that stretches across the full length of tents like the SP-250 would so a grow light bar is ideal.
So far I've only been able to put together that I'll need some type of Meanwell driver, a heat sink, and Epistar chips. But as far as the exact details go. I have no clue.
Im ok with putting in a considerable amount of time to build these units if itd save me the money and meant Id get great results.
But if I am indeed trying to pull off the impossible, what are my options, either for a ready made purchase or DIY? I dont want to put a number on my budget because Im pretty good at finding deals but Im looking to spend no more than 200 for both lights. I know Im asking for a whole lot right now, so if your ideas who cost me more, still share them please and I'll do my best to find the parts for cheaper. Thanks so so so much in advance.
Which has brought me to my current dilemma....
I dont want to cut corners on lights for these tents for obvious reasons, but looking at the prices for these high efficiency LED lights its making me think I launched 'mission impossible'.
I've had my heart set on the Mars Hydro SP-250 but with a cost of $260 for each light (more than $500 total for 2) it became clear very quickly I would not be getting them. But Im hoping theres a way I can build one.
Which is where I need help.
How would I go about making something very similar to the SP-250? I've watched a few YouTube tutorials on building basic LED grow lights but Im not sure which techniques would apply to this particular goal I have. I need the fixture to have a 2 x 4 coverage for veg and flower, be full spectrum, and be capable of producing high yields. I'm also hoping to have something that stretches across the full length of tents like the SP-250 would so a grow light bar is ideal.
So far I've only been able to put together that I'll need some type of Meanwell driver, a heat sink, and Epistar chips. But as far as the exact details go. I have no clue.
Im ok with putting in a considerable amount of time to build these units if itd save me the money and meant Id get great results.
But if I am indeed trying to pull off the impossible, what are my options, either for a ready made purchase or DIY? I dont want to put a number on my budget because Im pretty good at finding deals but Im looking to spend no more than 200 for both lights. I know Im asking for a whole lot right now, so if your ideas who cost me more, still share them please and I'll do my best to find the parts for cheaper. Thanks so so so much in advance.
