need a new grow light, also need advice

[Naushon]

Looking for advice.

I'm just getting ready to begin my new grow, and it appears my light is kaput. It's an arcahic hooded 600w mh/hps. I tried everything, even switching bulbs, will not turn on.

I've been looking for a way to justify stepping up in LEDs, because the present system produces a lot of heat, and also gobbles up energy. So I guess nows my chance. But understanding electrify is not my forte.

eBay and Amazon have some great deals on LEDs in the 100-480w range. But is comparing wattage between a mh/hps and an LED comparing apples to apples, or an I comparing apples to green beans?

My tent is 4x4 and vented. So any thoughts on LEDs.

[Sixwinds]

Don't buy a cheap LED off Amazon, make sure you get something that has a good reputation. A lot of those unknown/lesser brand lights are straight rip offs. I use Spider Farmer lights, but I've also heard great things about Mars Hydro.

[Bluey]

An all spectrum bar light of 480w would be perfect.

https://www.spider-farmer.com/products/spider-farmer-upgraded-se5000-full-spectrum-led-grow-light/

A quantum board a bit cheaper

https://www.spider-farmer.com/products/sf-4000-led-grow-light/

Both on sale atm. Good lights

[golfnrl]

I'm an HLG guy. Can't go wrong there. There's some good recommendations from Nebula on GWE as well.

[Rwise]

Read this, BTW I use mars hydro LEDs for now.

https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-grow-lights

[Smallgrow]

I have a Photontek X 465w pro it’s very nice , but like HLG pricey. Mars Hydro and Spider farmer are both good brands, I wouldn’t hesitate to use.
Dont be tricked by the wattage claims with LEDs, look at the “watts at the wall” not what they cliam. Meaning how many watts is the LED actually drawing from the circuit.

[grouchyoldman]

Greetings Naushon,

Take a look at this site for some solid background info and detailed reviews of current LED lights.

https://www.cocoforcannabis.com/grow-light-guide/

I've had excellent results with ViparSpectra lights, the XS Pro series is lensed for great light distrubution. Good value for the money.

-Grouchy
PS, "Naushon Island???"

[Ckbrew]

I use spider farmer with good results. There are other brands that are good also. Stay away from cheap no name copy cat lights. With LEDs you will see a reduction in heat produced and decreased $ in your power bill. Imo buy the biggest light you can afford.

[Bluey]

Source here https://migrolight.com/blogs/grow-light-reviews



This is a trusted source and the above table pretty much sums up what you get for your bucks.

[Rootsruler]

All of these suggestions are good. I'm not a big fan of Mars Hydro due to reports of fire hazards from a few trusted friends. Doesn't mean they are not suitable just that people close to me have had that experience so I shy away. I run a 5 x 5 and am currently using COB boards but will eventually go with a bar light style setup for lighting as I prefer using SCROG as my grow technique.

Before you get into LED understand that you aren't going to get the canopy penetration you get with HID/HPS. Yes, heat and power consumption will drop significantly.

Since this is your first experience with LED I would also suggest you start studying up on light spectrum and its effects on plant growth. LED's will afford you more flexibility with tailoring your light spectrum to the stage of plant growth you're in. A lot of the lights in the list posted are not spectrum adjustable but some of the higher end ones are starting to offer spectrum adjustability. Probably one of the first light companies to do this is California Light Works. IMO they have some of the best lights on the market but they are pricey. I also like Gavita 1700e Pro or the MedicGrow Smart 8.

As far as what wattage I try and go with 30 watts per sq/ft. In your 4 x 4 that would be 480w. For the money and your space size I would go with either Cretivity or the Migro Array 4. Between the two I would go Cretivity. It affords you the wattage if you are going to add Co2 to your grow and need the extra PPFD.

[Bluey]

Roots, type into your Google search bar "Spider Farmer" fire and see how many hits you get then do the same with Mars hydro and tell us who wins.

Spider Farmer has started lots of fires also.

[Rootsruler]

I don't doubt it. None of my trusted sources have had fire incidents with SF but I'm sure you're right. I would also not rule out some of these owners being dumbasses and putting a 600 watt light on an already overloaded circuit and blaming it on the light when it was them.

[Smallgrow]

Haha, ya try googling dumb ass starts fire

I have nothing against these brands, MH was my first light, but safety is one of the reasons I dropped the dollars on a high end brand name light.

That said I’m sure a dumb ass somewhere could get it to burn too, hopefully that dumbass isn’t me 😉

[OldManGrower]

I agree with most of what everyone has to say. But being me, I have to add my 2cents. Do not buy more wattage than you need for the size of your tent. You need 450-600 watts. At 600 you will most likely need to throttle it down. Beware of small manufacturers; they tend to go out of business. Everyone lies in this business (excuse me, highly exaggerates}. From yields to watts, size to potency, etc...

[Bluey]

If you only run your light at 80% then you may as well throw the efficiency numbers out the window.


LEDs and drivers tend to run most efficient at 100% because they tend to be designed that way.

Do you know anyone that runs their lights at 100% 24/7? I don't.

[Rootsruler]

I do. They just adjust the height of their light but they have the roof space to be able to do that. BTW LED's and drivers are built to perform at all different power levels. Certainly 100% may be their most efficient but 80% you're looking at, at best, a drop of a couple percent. Should we be running at 100% at seed pop? Should we be running at 100% at flip? Should we be running at 100% even though the tent is running at 95*? I adjust my lighting intensity to suit the plants needs. The difference in efficiency is minimal in regards to outcomes.

Plus when other lights are dying mine is going strong because I'm not running it 100% out of the gate. Again, heat is the #1 killer of diodes. Running it full out will kill them faster.

[Bluey]

Good points. Probably only running them at 100% for 6 weeks of a grow 12/12 now I think about it. These don't run hot and I'd expect at least 5 years of continuous growing out of them. No issues so far.

[Doubledealing72]

Autocobs. Efficient, cool, and easily movable.

[Naushon]

Greetings Naushon,

Take a look at this site for some solid background info and detailed reviews of current LED lights.

https://www.cocoforcannabis.com/grow-light-guide/

I've had excellent results with ViparSpectra lights, the XS Pro series is lensed for great light distrubution. Good value for the money.

-Grouchy
PS, "Naushon Island???"

yup, Naushon Island, my favorite place to fish.

[Naushon]

I've been looking closely at Phlizon lights. Price is certainly right. Claim to use Samsung diodes. I'm about a week away from having to buy one.

[Bluey]

If you buy a light from Amazon or even BangGood or Ebay or similar, you need to ensure it has been independently verified to meet its claims re diodes and output etc.

If it has not then you will deservedly be ripped off.

Edit. You've asked for advice...a huge amount has been given re lights yet you want to race off and buy a brand of light nobody here has recommended or probably even heard of.

Why ask for advice if you won't listen to it?

[Rootsruler]

Bluey - I understand OP's desire to save money but you are correct. He'll learn soon enough that lighting is where you splurge if you're wondering what is the item to spend the money on.

I run shitty Amazon chinese lights and, so far, I haven't had any issues but I'm currently on the hunt for a bar light setup that won't break the bank and will still give me good quality and performance. I know that with the current lights it's not an issue of if but when they'll go bad.

[Bluey]

I bought 5 BavaGreen 660 & 730nm 30 watt bar lights. Osram diodes. They work great, purchased from the manufacturer in China. Saved a fortune and I needed red..

I tested them here and all good.

Migro then tested their lights, he was impressed. Great lights.

[Naushon]

still haven't decided.

Looked closely at Phlizon. Also looking at SF, Mars, Creativity, California Lightworks. Vivosun is attractive.

Hard not to like Phlizon, but what turns me off is the language barrier. I ask a complex question, and get a one word, misspelled reply.

Another option I'm considering is just going out and buying another HID set up, and chucking my old one. Might be some economics since I have a bunch of mh and hps bulbs in inventory.