3x3 $250 light budget please help

theburnoutkid

Active Member
We'll as the title says I'm currently in the market for a light for my new tent. I've got years of outdoor experience but this is my first indoor attempt. I've purchased a 2in1 grow tent so I can eventually get a perpetual harvest going. I'm just thoroughly confused by these new lights was looking for led to keep temps down but I don't have $700 on the ones I dream of owning. Any helps greatly appreciated.
 

pulpoinspace

Well-Known Member
4 qb120s and an hlg-240h-2100

200w (196ish lumens per watt)
that would be okay to veg but i wouldn't want to flower with 200w in a 3x3. most people recommend at least 30w per square foot even with the most efficient LEDs. this would be 22w/sqft. thats less than half what i use in my 3x3. you could start with that and then pick up another 4 boards and another driver when its time to flower.

if $250 is your full budget i'd steer clear of LED.
 

PrometheanLeaf

Well-Known Member

Ro0k

Member
Second this. I'm growing 4 plantd under cmh in a 3x3 and they're going gangbusters. The 3100k lamp is something close to 98% as close to sunlight as you can get.

I think they're a perfect grow light. Not as hot as hps, but better spectra than led.

It's my second grow using them, and couldn't be happier.
 

mastrmasn

Well-Known Member
that would be okay to veg but i wouldn't want to flower with 200w in a 3x3. most people recommend at least 30w per square foot even with the most efficient LEDs. this would be 22w/sqft. thats less than half what i use in my 3x3. you could start with that and then pick up another 4 boards and another driver when its time to flower.

if $250 is your full budget i'd steer clear of LED.
I did it in a 3x3 with 235$ worth of LED pushing about 180w. Averaged 2.5o per. 1.55 g per watt. All the while using 3500k for flower and now using them in veg for another with excellent results so far.
 

pulpoinspace

Well-Known Member
I did it in a 3x3 with 235$ worth of LED pushing about 180w. Averaged 2.5o per. 1.55 g per watt. All the while using 3500k for flower and now using them in veg for another with excellent results so far.
i'm confused. 1.55g per watt, at 180w? okay. so 279g...2.5o per what? per plant? what strain? what was their veg time? what medium?

that is cool and all.

but your grow was underpowered. imagine what you could have grown with the appropriate amount of power in your tent?

@OP at that price point, you have to decide if you would rather spend all your money to have an underpowered DIY LED or spend $100 for an appropriately sized HID setup, which will easily yield more.

btw all this coming from a grower who only uses LEDs
 
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