LEDs

Mjhemdal

Member
Any advise and it wisdom would be greatly appreciated.I want to upgrade from starter grow setup. Been running 600 W MH/ HPS in 4x6 with good success. Heat and height biggest challenges to control which I’m sure is normal especially when light doesn’t have cool tube to remove heat. Thinking of switching to LEDs And new tent mine pretty beat up. Looking for 6-8 photo 3x annual How big LED and tent would I need. How much should I spend on lights. Looking for max yield. Price points vary so much from Amazon to my local hydro store??? I’m willing to spend for qualitY equipment. I just don’t want to get ripped off and pay a much for shit! Thanks
 

Johnny Lawrence

Well-Known Member
Any advise and it wisdom would be greatly appreciated.I want to upgrade from starter grow setup. Been running 600 W MH/ HPS in 4x6 with good success. Heat and height biggest challenges to control which I’m sure is normal especially when light doesn’t have cool tube to remove heat. Thinking of switching to LEDs And new tent mine pretty beat up. Looking for 6-8 photo 3x annual How big LED and tent would I need. How much should I spend on lights. Looking for max yield. Price points vary so much from Amazon to my local hydro store??? I’m willing to spend for qualitY equipment. I just don’t want to get ripped off and pay a much for shit! Thanks
Go to the LED subsection of the Indoor Growing forum here at RIU and start reading. A lot of info to take in.

If you're looking for high quality, but not necessarily cheap, look at HLG, Timber, and a few others I'm sure people will add to this list.

If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, have a look at Meiju, Spider Farmer, Hortibloom, and again, there are a few more that can be added to this list, but I'm blanking right now. Just surfed, had bloodies and brunch with friends, then smoked a bowl, so my brain is sorta stuck in neutral.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Whatever you do buy quality LED's.

As for height and heat. With an air cooled hood you can get the light closer to the plants with HID. I get my 600 watt 8 - 10 inches away sometimes less without any issues. I don't grow with LED's but from what I've gathered you don't want them that close. You can get an air cooled hood for $50 instead of the $300 - $600 to replace the 600 watt HPS depending on whether you buy off shelf or DIY. I'm not trying to talk you out of switching to LED. Just pointing some things out. Both will grow good weed.

Be careful if buying from the local hydro store. Some are good with decent business practices while others are like shady used car lots.
 

Johnny Lawrence

Well-Known Member
Whatever you do buy quality LED's.

As for height and heat. With an air cooled hood you can get the light closer to the plants with HID. I get my 600 watt 8 - 10 inches away sometimes less without any issues. I don't grow with LED's but from what I've gathered you don't want them that close. You can get an air cooled hood for $50 instead of the $300 - $600 to replace the 600 watt HPS depending on whether you buy off shelf or DIY. I'm not trying to talk you out of switching to LED. Just pointing some things out. Both will grow good weed.

Be careful if buying from the local hydro store. Some are good with decent business practices while others are like shady used car lots.
I run 50 watt cobs within 4 to 6 inches of my tops with no problems. Even with the cobs I have running at 75, I can get them within 6 without bleaching issues. Bulb replacement and electricity savings(roi) need to be factored into the initial purchase price.
 
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dubekoms

Well-Known Member
Yeah don't buy anything off of amazon, most of those lights are shit. I wouldn't trust the local hydro store either. Go with hlg quantum boards of timber grow lights. Few other good suppliers out there, check out the led section on this forum for more info.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
I run 50 watt cobs within 4 to 6 inches of my tops with no problems. Even with the cobs I have running at 75, I can get them within 6 without bleaching issues. Bulb replacement and electricity savings(roi) need to be factored into the initial purchase price.
Like I said, I don't grow with LED's but am just going by what I've read on the internet. I know, don't do that. :mrgreen:

But if all the OP has is a heat and height problem from running a bare bulb, a sealed hood and extraction fan would solve that problem for much cheaper than purchasing new lights. And electricity and other factors come in to play as well. As I've posted in other posts my electricity cost is ridiculously cheap and the heat isn't an issue except for a couple months in the summer.
 

NukaKola

Well-Known Member
4x8 tent for flower, adding a small tent for veg can increase harvests to 5-6 a year.

4-5x Kingbrite 240w boards - $600-750
2x Meijiu 650w strips - $1300
8x HLG QB 96 & 2x HLG-600H-54A drivers - $1000
2x HLG 600 - $1700
2x HLG scorpions - $2200

Just a few options.
 

youraveragehorticulturist

Well-Known Member
Pay attention to the actual Watts the light uses, not whatever silly number the company puts next to the name of their lights. Aim for 35 watts of LED per square foot of grow space.

Your tent now is 4 x 6? Is that a custom home build? That's a pretty big area for a 600 watt HPS to cover. Maybe consider the air cooled hood like somebody mentioned, to cover half your tent. Then maybe a HLG 350 (horticulture light group 350 watt led light) to cover the other half of the tent and experiment with LED before you jump right in.
 

Mjhemdal

Member
Appreciate the feedback. Yeah a sealed hood would most definitely do the trick. I managed to exhaust most heat with 6” HV Inline fan but tent always under negative pressure trying to extract all the heat. Figured can’t be best for ??photos??and overall grow in general. I’m just trying to step up my game.Nice and clean. Figured LEDs are the way to go?
 

Mjhemdal

Member
Go to the LED subsection of the Indoor Growing forum here at RIU and start reading. A lot of info to take in.

If you're looking for high quality, but not necessarily cheap, look at HLG, Timber, and a few others I'm sure people will add to this list.

If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, have a look at Meiju, Spider Farmer, Hortibloom, and again, there are a few more that can be added to this list, but I'm blanking right now. Just surfed, had bloodies and brunch with friends, then smoked a bowl, so my brain is sorta stuck in neutral.
Ty
 

Mjhemdal

Member
Pay attention to the actual Watts the light uses, not whatever silly number the company puts next to the name of their lights. Aim for 35 watts of LED per square foot of grow space.

Your tent now is 4 x 6? Is that a custom home build? That's a pretty big area for a 600 watt HPS to cover. Maybe consider the air cooled hood like somebody mentioned, to cover half your tent. Then maybe a HLG 350 (horticulture light group 350 watt led light) to cover the other half of the tent and experiment with LED before you jump right in.
4x8 tent for flower, adding a small tent for veg can increase harvests to 5-6 a year.

4-5x Kingbrite 240w boards - $600-750
2x Meijiu 650w strips - $1300
8x HLG QB 96 & 2x HLG-600H-54A drivers - $1000
2x HLG 600 - $1700
2x HLG scorpions - $2200

Just a few options.
Thanks. Appreciate the recommendations. I believe tent is 48x68. Shitty amazon special. Guys at local hydro store started me out running 400w for that space. I bumped to 600 after first grow. No way could I mange heat of 1000w. I even had a 6” flex Coming off my AH in attic for AC in tent. Definitely looking to have duel tent veg/flower. The never ending cycle of love. Lol
 

Freedom Club

Active Member
I have good experience with Amare. Maybe you want to check out the Amare SolarBar SB800 (900watts).
Its quality light and if you can afford it you won't regret it.

 

Mjhemdal

Member
Whatever you do buy quality LED's.

As for height and heat. With an air cooled hood you can get the light closer to the plants with HID. I get my 600 watt 8 - 10 inches away sometimes less without any issues. I don't grow with LED's but from what I've gathered you don't want them that close. You can get an air cooled hood for $50 instead of the $300 - $600 to replace the 600 watt HPS depending on whether you buy off shelf or DIY. I'm not trying to talk you out of switching to LED. Just pointing some things out. Both will grow good weed.

Be careful if buying from the local hydro store. Some are good with decent business practices while others are like shady used car lots.
Thanks appreciate the advise
 

printer

Well-Known Member
That's the funniest thing I've seen, lol.
I was talking to a sales guy in a store, he said he is getting that type of cabinet, you load her up (probably add feed and water) and come back later with a harvestable plant. I had my doubts.

Sorry, can't add about the lights other than if you are a little handy and can mount and wire up some parts led strips like this and the proper driver you can save some money.

 

Mjhemdal

Member
I have good experience with Amare. Maybe you want to check out the Amare SolarBar SB800 (900watts).
Its quality light and if you can afford it you won't regret it.

I was talking to a sales guy in a store, he said he is getting that type of cabinet, you load her up (probably add feed and water) and come back later with a harvestable plant. I had my doubts.

Sorry, can't add about the lights other than if you are a little handy and can mount and wire up some parts led strips like this and the proper driver you can save some money.

I was talking to a sales guy in a store, he said he is getting that type of cabinet, you load her up (probably add feed and water) and come back later with a harvestable plant. I had my doubts.

Sorry, can't add about the lights other than if you are a little handy and can mount and wire up some parts led strips like this and the proper driver you can save some money.

[/QUOTE
Yeah don't buy anything off of amazon, most of those lights are shit. I wouldn't trust the local hydro store either. Go with hlg quantum boards of timber grow lights. Few other good suppliers out there, check out the led section on this forum for more info.
thanks ppl
Whatever you do buy quality LED's.

As for height and heat. With an air cooled hood you can get the light closer to the plants with HID. I get my 600 watt 8 - 10 inches away sometimes less without any issues. I don't grow with LED's but from what I've gathered you don't want them that close. You can get an air cooled hood for $50 instead of the $300 - $600 to replace the 600 watt HPS depending on whether you buy off shelf or DIY. I'm not trying to talk you out of switching to LED. Just pointing some things out. Both will grow good weed.

Be careful if buying from the local hydro store. Some are good with decent business practices while others are like shady used car lots.
ty appreciate the advise.
 

Mjhemdal

Member
Whatever you do buy quality LED's.

As for height and heat. With an air cooled hood you can get the light closer to the plants with HID. I get my 600 watt 8 - 10 inches away sometimes less without any issues. I don't grow with LED's but from what I've gathered you don't want them that close. You can get an air cooled hood for $50 instead of the $300 - $600 to replace the 600 watt HPS depending on whether you buy off shelf or DIY. I'm not trying to talk you out of switching to LED. Just pointing some things out. Both will grow good weed.

Be careful if buying from the local hydro store. Some are good with decent business practices while others are like shady used car lots.
Ty appreciate the advise
 

Herb Man

Well-Known Member
Ty appreciate the advise
I'm in the process of making the switch to LED's too. Basic pointers the Wattage stated in the title of a lot of these LED's are not the true wattage, for that you have to read the small print.

You want to be aiming for no less than 30 watts per sq ft. The plants can take upwards of 50 watts per sq ft.

You could go for a one piece, 2 piece or what ever suits. I think I may be opting for two 300 watt Cobs and maybe a 200w sitting in the middle for over kill, so long as each light is appropriately distanced from the plants.

And for the love of all things sacred do not buy a light till after you've binge watched this guy
 

Jeffislovinlife

Well-Known Member
A lot of good information to think about so I just got to put my two cents in I grow with cheep lights from philzon and I know that you can do better with a better light but anywaysResized_Resized_20201011_122305(1).jpegResized_20201001_120109_177562446206303.jpegResized_20200918_083430.jpegas always thank you for your time and the best of luck
 

Mjhemdal

Member
I'm in the process of making the switch to LED's too. Basic pointers the Wattage stated in the title of a lot of these LED's are not the true wattage, for that you have to read the small print.

You want to be aiming for no less than 30 watts per sq ft. The plants can take upwards of 50 watts per sq ft.

You could go for a one piece, 2 piece or what ever suits. I think I may be opting for two 300 watt Cobs and maybe a 200w sitting in the middle for over kill, so long as each light is appropriately distanced from the plants.

And for the love of all things sacred do not buy a light till after you've binge watched this guy
Ty definitely going to check him out!
 
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