best low cost veg lights?

Thinking about a small veg chamber, keen keep it as low cost as possible, it's going to be starting 4 plants off so the delay between harvests is reduced. I can continue to veg in my 1.2m square x 2m high secondary tent before flowing so its just for the first few weeks, be good to shave 3 weeks off the next grow.

I'll probably build it into a wardrobe or make a small cabinet.

What would be a good lighting setup, cheap to install and run? I'm running HPS in the other tent, I'm guessing that's just overkill for veg.

Thanks for your help.

have you considered something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GU4RMC/ref=psdc_14252961_t1_B00NMX5EGC. this should be enough to take 4 plants thru veg

I saw a thread on here where people where literally demanding death to all T5s! Not sure why exactly haha.

Get a few sockets and some screw-in leds. Done and done. Should only be about $30

I was thinking of that Way2-High, am I better with multiple lower wattage ones or one bigger one? What kind of wattage am i going for, also is there a good spectrum to go for?

A few 100w equivalent 14-16w in 4000-5000k work like a charm for veg.

olafthegreen said:

I was thinking of that Way2-High, am I better with multiple lower wattage ones or one bigger one? What kind of wattage am i going for, also is there a good spectrum to go for?

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with leds you want 30 watts/sq/ft as far a spectrum goes some high quality 5000k leds should work but good LEDs are not a low cost option.I have attached a nasa report to help you educate yourself about LEDs. avoid the cheap ones sold on e-bay and amazon. they are not very efficient and do not last long. I built this one using 4000k bridgelux strips. this is your cheapest option fora good quality led grow light. hope this is helpful

mauricem00 said:

I built this one using 4000k bridgelux strips. this is your cheapest option fora good quality led grow light. hope this is helpful

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Thanks for that information, very interesting!

I don't suppose you have plans to make that light, I'm not afraid of a soldering iron, but literally don't know what to buy or how to put it together.

olafthegreen said:

Thanks for that information, very interesting!

I don't suppose you have plans to make that light, I'm not afraid of a soldering iron, but literally don't know what to buy or how to put it together.

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Check out
https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

If its a veg light you don't need 30w per square foot.

So your just kinda pre vegging right? I’d just get some t5 in my opinion they work great for mother’s and young plants. If you got a lil extra money u could get the led t5 replacement bulbs too, but they are not needed imo. The t5 has been used for a long time for what your trying to do, so i’d just keep it simple and cheap.

olafthegreen said:

Thanks for that information, very interesting!

I don't suppose you have plans to make that light, I'm not afraid of a soldering iron, but literally don't know what to buy or how to put it together.

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sorry but I just built this light as a test light. I build many of my own lights but do not manufacture them.having tested led grow lights I still prefer T5s or CMH lights

mauricem00 said:

sorry but I just built this light as a test light. I build many of my own lights but do not manufacture them.having tested led grow lights I still prefer T5s or CMH lights

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I agree, everyone thinks these new led are so great I got one I don’t even use. 320 watts of quantum boards. It’s def a nice light and I’m sure I could figure it out if devoted some time to it. But I’ve learned on hid (mh/hps) and more recently cmh. And there is something different about the led I found it hard to keep plants happy under. I guess it needs higher temps than what I was running but I don’t have the time or desire to fool around with it atm.

@ 3feet. These are great for smaller spaces. $15 bucks, 30watt, 4000k. 3000 lumen.
(Remove plastic cover to expose bare leds)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-3-ft-1-Light-30-Watt-White-Integrated-Utility-LED-Shop-Light-with-5-ft-Power-Cord-SHOP-3X1-840-HD/305059320

mauricem00 said:

sorry but I just built this light as a test light. I build many of my own lights but do not manufacture them.having tested led grow lights I still prefer T5s or CMH lights

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No worries, thanks anyway.

TintEastwood said:

@ 3feet. These are great for smaller spaces. $15 bucks, 30watt, 4000k. 3000 lumen.

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Don't suppose you just have a model name please, for some reason my european ISP isnt allowed to open that link.

olafthegreen said:

No worries, thanks anyway.


Don't suppose you just have a model name please, for some reason my european ISP isnt allowed to open that link.

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The brand name is....
Commercial Electric

Apalchen said:

I agree, everyone thinks these new led are so great I got one I don’t even use. 320 watts of quantum boards. It’s def a nice light and I’m sure I could figure it out if devoted some time to it. But I’ve learned on hid (mh/hps) and more recently cmh. And there is something different about the led I found it hard to keep plants happy under. I guess it needs higher temps than what I was running but I don’t have the time or desire to fool around with it atm.

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I'd trade my spare sunplix 315 w/ Phillips bulb(18 hour test is all i used it for) for a 320 kit. Probably be better for a 2x4 anyways.but to each their own

I use sets of these to do similar to what you want to do. just remove the covers. I use a set per 36 x 18 shelf to feed my 2 flower tents.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HLJW5GX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

T5's.

Best veg light on earth.