Red Eyed
Well-Known Member
Check out BudgetLED for starters...they already have prebuilt kits. Then the seller "Ucandewit" on ebay...
Grow Light Upgrade Assistance Request
- Thread starter Ukulele Haze
- Start date
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
Ah, okay. I appreciate the leads. I will check those out!
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
An update: I forgot I could slide the bar holding the carbon filter forward without compromising the integrity of the tent. This gave me much easier access to my grow light. After rotating the plant and adjusting the light some, the existing light seems to be hitting all of my major bud sites, hard. I decided to keep the TopoLite for now. Thanks anyway for the advice guys. It was fun reading up on these different fixtures. Maybe I'll pick one of these out for my next grow.
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SpideyManDan
Well-Known Member
Something to keep in mind is that LEDs are constantly getting better. Keep an eye out for higher intensity, more efficient, and less expensive models. I actually own a ts1000 but it is quickly becoming older tech. Most lights are the same nowadays in terms of light spectrum, but what you really want to keep an eye out for is efficiency. As much as i am really tired of the HLG band wagon hopping around here they do make quality lights, however you can find lights that are pretty good just slightly less efficient and cost less as well.
Say you shell out all that extra money, in a matter of a year your light will start to become obsolete in comparison to the lights that will be around at that time. I dont know this is something to keep in mind is all.
Oh, make sure you can get a light were the driver can be removed. I realize now that this is a huge plus in terms of efficency and longevity for the life of the light. Seriously, heat is a LED killer and the driver produces a ton of it. One last thing, check out Migro Lights on Youtube. He does amazing slightly non biased comparisons of a lot of the popular lights out, just keep an eye on the date of the videos so you dont buy old tech. Cheers buddy.
www.youtube.com
Say you shell out all that extra money, in a matter of a year your light will start to become obsolete in comparison to the lights that will be around at that time. I dont know this is something to keep in mind is all.
Oh, make sure you can get a light were the driver can be removed. I realize now that this is a huge plus in terms of efficency and longevity for the life of the light. Seriously, heat is a LED killer and the driver produces a ton of it. One last thing, check out Migro Lights on Youtube. He does amazing slightly non biased comparisons of a lot of the popular lights out, just keep an eye on the date of the videos so you dont buy old tech. Cheers buddy.
MIGRO
Welcome to the MIGRO youtube channel. Helping home growers optimise their grow light setup. We at MIGRO are passionate about grow lighting technology. We wan...
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
I wasn't aware these drivers generate so much heat until I made this thread. But, I am really glad people told me about that here. I'll definitely shoot for something that has that feature. I also did not know the technology is changing so much. Thanks for the information and YouTube recommendation. I have not checked his Channel out yet, but would like to.Oh, make sure you can get a light were the driver can be removed. I realize now that this is a huge plus in terms of efficency and longevity for the life of the light. Seriously, heat is a LED killer and the driver produces a ton of it. One last thing, check out Migro Lights on Youtube. He does amazing slightly non biased comparisons of a lot of the popular lights out, just keep an eye on the date of the videos so you dont buy old tech. Cheers buddy.
MIGRO
Welcome to the MIGRO youtube channel. Helping home growers optimise their grow light setup. We at MIGRO are passionate about grow lighting technology. We wan...
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
I didn't like the idea of doing absolutely nothing for the lighting situation until my next grow. So, I picked out two of these cheap 50W dual gooseneck lamps on Amazon for supplemental light:
So far, the plant seems okay (see photo). Yesterday, I removed the first male parts I've spotted (it's a hermaphrodite). From what I have read, bagseed plants often are genetic hermaphrodites. So, I don't think it was caused by stress. The flower I found this seed in was very potent, even for Wonka Bars (27% THC). Will I reach those levels? Hard to say. Rumor has it hermaphrodites can sometimes be more potent than females. But, I am not sure how true that is. The whole point of this grow was to learn how to train plants. I'm not growing the shemale with any other plants. If I wind up with a few seeds, that's okay with me. Next time, I'll grow with proper feminized seeds. Unless, of course, he/she produces more hermie seeds. Who knows? I might enjoy the weed enough to want to do it again.
So far, the plant seems okay (see photo). Yesterday, I removed the first male parts I've spotted (it's a hermaphrodite). From what I have read, bagseed plants often are genetic hermaphrodites. So, I don't think it was caused by stress. The flower I found this seed in was very potent, even for Wonka Bars (27% THC). Will I reach those levels? Hard to say. Rumor has it hermaphrodites can sometimes be more potent than females. But, I am not sure how true that is. The whole point of this grow was to learn how to train plants. I'm not growing the shemale with any other plants. If I wind up with a few seeds, that's okay with me. Next time, I'll grow with proper feminized seeds. Unless, of course, he/she produces more hermie seeds. Who knows? I might enjoy the weed enough to want to do it again.
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SpideyManDan
Well-Known Member
Well, I'll be completely honest, those really werent the best choice, but a lot of us in the beginning are still learning so it's not the end of the world. If you need supplemental lightening you could add some SIL or screw in leds. You cut or twist the globe off to reveal the leds and by doing this you make them substantially stronger. However, YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL. There are generally two prongs that protrude out and if you touch them you can be potentially shocked. And obviously make sure water does not hit the leds or lightbulb. It sounds like a lot, but it isnt, I just had to give a formal warning so I do my part. I use them in a clamp lightbulb fixture for my seedlings and side lighting. 15w and you can use the 2700k or even up to 6500k. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
I respect your opinion. These Amazon lights might not be the best choice. But, the mission was to illuminate the outer budsites that aren't getting enough light inexpensively. These gooseneck units may look tacky and be cheaply made. But, I personally think they are doing exactly what I want them to do (so far - monitoring for stress). When I start my next grow, I plan to buy a strong enough overhead LED panel to where I would ideally not need any supplemental lighting.
I had no idea some people disassemble their lights like you suggested to make them brighter. But, I don't think it's something I have interest in trying right now. The 15W clamp lamp you're talking about does sound nice for seedlings, like you said. I have to say, I am surprised 15W is enough for side lighting (even if you remove the globes).
Between the blurple and the goosenecks I think I am pulling at least 200W at the wall now. I believe that should be a good target wattage for my tent size.
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SpideyManDan
Well-Known Member
Its amazing for little seedlings. If youre not careful you cant actually burn them with the little 15w leds lol. If its working for you then i am in no position to argue with that, if you have any other questions feel free to ask and ill do my best. Cheers
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
That's kind of you to be accepting like that. There are times I talk as if I have it all figured out (eg. my last post). But, truthfully I do have a lot of learning to do, like you mentioned in your previous post.
I guess it will be a while before I really know if they're improving anything. Currently, it seems better than nothing. I'll definitely keep you in mind if things come up I am wondering about. Thank you.
I guess it will be a while before I really know if they're improving anything. Currently, it seems better than nothing. I'll definitely keep you in mind if things come up I am wondering about. Thank you.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
That's a totally biased review. They also used Plexiglass or something. They're different types of lights too. I don't trust it.
It is true that LED's will last longer if ran cooler though.
SpideyManDan
Well-Known Member
I mean, yeah, everyone one is biased in one way or another. Mars has come a long way and really shouldnt be considered "one step up from burple". Yes they make budget LEDS, and they are a god send for first time growers, especially those who dont know if they want to grow or not. They are plug and play with no fucking around. Thats pretty attractive to a large segment of the population. Not to mention they took what everyone else was doing and made it affordable for the most part. My main point anyway was if youre going to get a mars hydro, i would go with a step up if possible, not the TS line.
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
Hey guys, if anybody might be interested, I thought I would post an update of how the Wonka Bars bagseed plant is faring with the lighting upgrade. I think the photos really speak volumes about what's happening - some buds get purple light, others get full-spectrum Sun-like LEDs. What a mixed bag! It will be an interesting experiment for sure. Please let me know what you think. I know it looks different. I busted out the fancier camera. This is day two of week four of Flower (Sativa Dom. 70/30):
Current Plant Height: 25 in / 63.5 cm
Current Plant Height: 25 in / 63.5 cm
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PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
If you're in the US, there's a 200 watt QB on sale on Amazon for like $50. I know a couple people that bought one. It's not an HLG, but for $50 it's not a big risk.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Here's the thread where I saw it.
The Best Deals Thread. Post Best Deals And Lowest Prices Links
Here's a fresh one https://growershouse.com/shop-category
www.rollitup.org
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
Maybe next grow. The plant seems happy enough to me. In turn, I too am happy.
SpideyManDan
Well-Known Member
Is this your first grow?
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
No. I had three other grows prior which were all Auto-flowers. I took a little break. Then, I jumped on the opportunity to try this as my first Photoperiod grow. In all, I've been at it for about two years.
SpideyManDan
Well-Known Member
Oh ok. Everything been going pretty well so far? Im just finishing up my first bag seed and have some 2 week feminized seedlings ready to be put in the tent. There is something magical about growing, almost instinctual lol
Ukulele Haze
Well-Known Member
Aside from losing a few fan leaves I'd rather not have due to over-defoliation, things have been smooth sailing. The basic Fox Farm nutes and molasses have been great. So, no nutritional deficiencies. Tons of mutations though, and like I mentioned, the occasional male flower.
I didn't know you were growing out a bagseed too. Do you know what the strain was? And, how did your grow go?