So I bought a Spider Farmer sf-2000

[MidwestGorilla219]

And I never grew with a led light before. I have been using a 4ft 8 bulb T5 to veg my plants indoors before putting them outdoors for years but wanted to try led or cmh, something with more penetration of light. Will the spider farmer sf-2000 perform better in veg than my T5? I understand the hlg models are better. I'm still thinking about returning it for a cmh with a vertical hood but would like some opinions first.

 

[Powertech]

Who says the HLG are better? Oh yeah, the people with HLG's.

Spray them with water and see who comes out still working, I know my SF's will, because it's happened (oops)

I have 4 SF'1000's, love them!

 

[Norml56]

And I never grew with a led light before. I have been using a 4ft 8 bulb T5 to veg my plants indoors before putting them outdoors for years but wanted to try led or cmh, something with more penetration of light. Will the spider farmer sf-2000 perform better in veg than my T5? I understand the hlg models are better. I'm still thinking about returning it for a cmh with a vertical hood but would like some opinions first.

I'm running a SF-1000 in veg and honestly, it isn't enough power for a 3x3. I will more than likely be adding the t5 4ft bulbs back and just running 2 of them for another 104watts of power. On the plus side, I've had zero issues with the light itself. Just isn't enough power.

 

[Powertech]

I'm running a SF-1000 in veg and honestly, it isn't enough power for a 3x3. I will more than likely be adding the t5 4ft bulbs back and just running 2 of them for another 104watts of power. On the plus side, I've had zero issues with the light itself. Just isn't enough power.

I have 4 SF-1000's, and no, one is not enough for a 3x3. 2 would be enough for Veg, but you could go higher than 2 during flower. I used 4 in a 4.5 x 4.5 last grow, and wasn't even close to enough (so I built about 800W more around them lol).

It is a fantastic light, but only 100W

 

[MidwestGorilla219]

I'm hoping that the sf-2000 can veg a 2ft x 4ft footprint better than my T5.

 

[Powertech]

I'm hoping that the sf-2000 can veg a 2ft x 4ft footprint better than my T5.

It will do worlds better than t5.

 

[Norml56]

I have 4 SF-1000's, and no, one is not enough for a 3x3. 2 would be enough for Veg, but you could go higher than 2 during flower. I used 4 in a 4.5 x 4.5 last grow, and wasn't even close to enough (so I built about 800W more around them lol).

It is a fantastic light, but only 100W

Yeah, I'll be adding my T5's back. Not worth the investment in buying another one to run the exact same wattage as my 4 tube T5 and getting the same results. I knew I should've just shelled out the extra money and bought either a couple discounted V1 288 or CMH. I just wanted to mention that it wasn't enough for veg because I belive it is sold saying it will veg a 3x3.

 

[Powertech]

Yeah, I'll be adding my T5's back. Not worth the investment in buying another one to run the exact same wattage as my 4 tube T5 and getting the same results. I knew I should've just shelled out the extra money and bought either a couple discounted V1 288 or CMH. I just wanted to mention that it wasn't enough for veg because I belive it is sold saying it will veg a 3x3.

Well, I guess it COULD, just not to its full potential lol, so in a way they weren't lying lol

Either way, I still love mine. I do like what I built better though

 

[fragileassassin]

Who says the HLG are better? Oh yeah, the people with HLG's.

Spray them with water and see who comes out still working, I know my SF's will, because it's happened (oops)

I have 4 SF'1000's, love them!

I mean if were going that far, i sprayed my meijiu 561C board straight on while doing an epsom foliar one time and nothing happened.

And i still love my 5500K T5s for veg OP!

 

[Powertech]

I mean if were going that far, i sprayed my meijiu 561C board straight on while doing an epsom foliar one time and nothing happened.

And i still love my 5500K T5s for veg OP!

I will do everything in my power to never spray them again lol. I have a bunch of bare boards next to them now.

Not really trying to say HLG isn't good, hell I wouldn't mind some if somebody has some they want to give me lol, they are some of the best on the market. I also usually don't like things that are hyped up so much, like Glock (sorry not trying to start crap just an example)

 

[farmingfisherman]

And I never grew with a led light before. I have been using a 4ft 8 bulb T5 to veg my plants indoors before putting them outdoors for years but wanted to try led or cmh, something with more penetration of light. Will the spider farmer sf-2000 perform better in veg than my T5? I understand the hlg models are better. I'm still thinking about returning it for a cmh with a vertical hood but would like some opinions first.

I've been stoked with the 1000's used during veg. Be careful not to run it to close especially if you are in a tent with reflective sides. Bonus that it also uses half the energy of the T5.

 

[fragileassassin]

I will do everything in my power to never spray them again lol. I have a bunch of bare boards next to them now.

Not really trying to say HLG isn't good, hell I wouldn't mind some if somebody has some they want to give me lol, they are some of the best on the market. I also usually don't like things that are hyped up so much, like Glock (sorry not trying to start crap just an example)

Same! I about shit my pants when I realized what I had just done. I make sure to raise them if I spray now, but they usually just need 1 or two when they first go into the flower tent.
Im kinda the same way. Thats how I ended up with china boards and ive been very happy with them. I was interested in HLG but the lights alone would have cost more than the whole rest of a large rdwc setup. Im not a glock fan either LOL.

 

[MidwestGorilla219]

I have a 8 bulb 4ft T5 which obviously lights a 2x4 footprint. No tent, I'm just vegging my seedlings about 1.5 - 2 months in a spare bedroom before going outside. I veg on 15/9 which mimics my outdoor light cycle on June 1st, this also helps sex my plants as most will show sex by then.

I set my light up and I'm not sure that it will cover a 2x4 to be honest, it doesn't quite hit 4ft but goes past the 2ft that my T5 covers so hopefully a similar footprint in terms of square feet.

 

[farmingfisherman]

I have 4 SF-1000's, and no, one is not enough for a 3x3. 2 would be enough for Veg, but you could go higher than 2 during flower. I used 4 in a 4.5 x 4.5 last grow, and wasn't even close to enough (so I built about 800W more around them lol).

It is a fantastic light, but only 100W

Did you play with the dimmer?

 

[Powertech]

Did you play with the dimmer?

Yeah, stupid that they went with the -A instead of the -AB driver. I will be removing the driver and extending the wire so I can have the driver away from the light as well, two major design flaws I see. I'll be using the dimmers almost for sure, as I have 1240W of LED in a 4.5x4.5 tent, so i'm mounting the drivers in a way i can access the internal dimmer pot without having to move the driver

 

[zypheruk]

Hlg are good but an unfinished product in my opinion, right or wrong. They would never ever pass any safety tests in the uk or eu. Google for the Par+ leds that's a finished product with all safety checks past.

 

[farmingfisherman]

I have a 8 bulb 4ft T5 which obviously lights a 2x4 footprint. No tent, I'm just vegging my seedlings about 1.5 - 2 months in a spare bedroom before going outside. I veg on 15/9 which mimics my outdoor light cycle on June 1st, this also helps sex my plants as most will show sex by then.

I set my light up and I'm not sure that it will cover a 2x4 to be honest, it doesn't quite hit 4ft but goes past the 2ft that my T5 covers so hopefully a similar footprint in terms of square feet.

Yeah, stupid that they went with the -A instead of the -AB driver. I will be removing the driver and extending the wire so I can have the driver away from the light as well, two major design flaws I see. I'll be using the dimmers almost for sure, as I have 1240W of LED in a 4.5x4.5 tent, so i'm mounting the drivers in a way i can access the internal dimmer pot without having to move the driver

So pardon my lack of experience but I presume that a -AB driver can be adjusted with a knob style dimmer and is it the same wattage? If so how much are you talking to replace it. Is there a market for the old drivers? Guessing also you aren't worried about voiding a warranty or two by doing so..

 

[Powertech]

So pardon my lack of experience but I presume that a -AB driver can be adjusted with a knob style dimmer and is it the same wattage? If so how much are you talking to replace it. Is there a market for the old drivers? Guessing also you aren't worried about voiding a warranty or two by doing so..

Talking $30 each plus shipping for total replacement, not counting the actual external pot (it only comes with the leads). I have the wire, and I want them off the lights anyway, will make everything last longer.

Yes the -A drivers only have an internal potentiometer to adjust current (adjust brightness), -AB drivers have wires you can hook up an to external pot

 

[farmingfisherman]

Talking $30 each plus shipping for total replacement, not counting the actual external pot (it only comes with the leads). I have the wire, and I want them off the lights anyway, will make everything last longer.

Yes the -A drivers only have an internal potentiometer to adjust current (adjust brightness), -AB drivers have wires you can hook up an to external pot

Cooler boards last longer? How much more life do you think you can get by doing that? 50,000 hr life span is what the company says they will run for.. You think that figure is accurate?

 

[MidwestGorilla219]

Did you play with the dimmer?

No, I don't think dimming the light will help me honestly.

Edit - My bad you didn't quote me.