How dumb was this lighting decision

[CheeseOnToast]

I appreciate your reply, it's evident I haven't learned as much as I thought I had. The tent is 1.5x0.5x2.0m. I've been able to get 3 white widow auto and a rainbow sherbet auto.

I'd started in the spacebucket space, but of course had skipped to 0.5m2 tent before my first grow. I bought the light in a bit of panic as it was available locally. I thought cash purchase was better than online, so went with that.

I'm sending the led panel back, but would need to wait a couple of weeks to buy any more kit due to my haste. I have left ~$140 for a 4 inch ducting, fan and filter, a recommendation from our only local hydro store an hour away. I'll pick that up Monday.

Hopefully I've not caused a disaster for myself here. I've set aside time tonight to do some more reading and start from scratch

[Gingerbeard]

For my own edification, I looked up what a 600w HPS covers. Everything I saw says that light is appropriate for a 1.2mx1.2m. Your tent is much smaller. Not only is it overkill for watts, but HPS lights create a lot of heat.
If I could make a personal observation, I think you are trying to stuff more light watts in your tent than you need and you are nickel-and-diming yourself out of a decent light. Weed needs 375-500 watts per square meter. You have half a square meter. Tent height is an issue, as well. Do you plan on growing a short strain or tall? Different light styles have different minimum distances they need to be kept from a plant canopy.
I was in the same mindset when I first started. If 5 is good, 20 will get me four times the result. Head over to the main GWE website and do a search on lights. You will learn a lot and might see something you can use.

[CheeseOnToast]

This is the ballast that has a dimmer on. It's a 600w hps bulb with reflector. I've got my 70/30 Coco mix and about to put into solos, then under the lamp.

[Rwise]

Is that 600 Watts from the wall or 600 spoof Watts?
My LEDs draw 325 Watts from the wall for 2000 spoof Watts.

[CheeseOnToast]

An update. I saw a 600w HPS with dimmer and ballast for a great price, so I've picked it up.

I'm going to go see the local hydroponic store for an exhaust fan and filter. I called them yesterday and it'll be around $120.

I haven't had my perlite delivered yet, but need to get these seedlings into solo cups today. Might have to use just Coco

[Gingerbeard]

Remember me saying how ignorant I am about lights, yeah? I gave you my opinion. There is at least one person in here who I won't name, but whose name rhymes with blue-hee, who will lay down with the PPFD and other technicalities and, perhaps, tell me I'm wrong.
The light is probably going to be good enough to get you through the first bit of germination. Your budget is pretty tight for a decent bloom light. A decent veg can be done with CFL/fluorescents which are pretty cheap and have been used for years for complete grows. Have you looked at UFO lights? That's a style based on their round shape. Consider two small lights for your small footprint. Always consider upgrading and/or adding for the next grow.

[CheeseOnToast]

Thank you.

Yes, I'm willing to send back.

I'm both disappointed and concerned that I've picked this one up and now have sprouted seeds ready to be put under a light. I'd tried to find a UK light for under $60 to fit with my budget.

If I could find something in the UK around $70 US, I'd jump at it. Would rather not waste these seeds.

[Gingerbeard]

That voice... in my head... maybe it's the crap meter. Maybe I'm too westernized. Maybe I don't know what's what in new lighting technology. I don't trust that light. I honestly don't trust anything from the discount markets except the assurance that I will probably get what I pay for.
Pictures in the reviews do not match the light shown in the ad. More than one reviewer got a UK plug to a US address.
No brand name. That's a biggie for me.
It lists that it is a 2000w light, even in the description. I see the little calculation. Back to my light ignorance, that is not a 2000w output light. It doesn't have a heat sink, per-se. It advertises 'All around heat distribution.' That falls under my light ignorance, sub category, heat distribution.
It lists that it is, among others, UL certified. Yeah. That voice...
In the end, if that piece is not up to your needs, are you willing to return it to get your money back? Are you able to return it to get your money back after deciding if the light is good enough?

[CheeseOnToast]

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exc8Ies

I've only a small tent, so I think that's an error on the listing.

[Gingerbeard]

Can you post the light brand and model?
Curious. The size of the light is over 18 miles.

[CheeseOnToast]

Hi. I'm looking to find out if I've made a mistake with my led light buy. After reading which LEDs were used in some of the better lights, I figured I could save a little money on AliExpress, which I'm now regretting. I realise I thought I knew more than I do, and at my level of experience I should have either asked questions first, or followed existing builds better.

I have 3 autos just germinated, and ready for solo cups soon. Many thanks in advance, and if I'm in a hole, I'm grateful for any advice.

0.5mx1m tent
PC intake fan
Small clip fan
5gal fabric pots
70/30 Coco mix
exhaust fan and smell relief in the works

LED strip 3m 60/m 2835 SMD strip powered by 5v USB

And my panel has the following information from the listing:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Exc8Ies

Power supply: AC85-265V
Beam angle: 180°
Lifespan:20000 hours
LED type: SMD2835

Type B: Red(60leds)+White(64leds)+Warmwhite(132leds)
LED quantity: 256pcs per panel
LED power: 256X7.9W=2000W
Power consumption: 200W±5%