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Led lighting suggestions please

Dude

Dude

New member
I'm trying to decide on what lights to go with for my new grow setup. I was forever sold on going with Led lighting from the beginning because of lower cost of operation and temp. I was planning on going with the Viparspectra 700 series for a while. About a week ago I came across a review for the new Mars Hydro TSW 2000 series. I'm really thinking about going in that direction because of the quality of the light and it being newer led tech. I would like some input please. I'm just getting ready to start growing for the first time, there lights will be going on a Vivosun 5x10 grow tent. My lighting budget is 500.00. any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.



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Welcome, Dude.
50 sq ft of canopy will need at LEAST 1500 watts power consumed to get adequate light levels.
You'll be hard-pressed to achieve that for under $500 using HID fixtures, much less leds.
The Mars fixture should be more efficient compared to the vipar if that helps.
 
Hey Dude, thats a pretty big space your trying to light up. Iv been looking at MARS lights and for that size tent you'd need 2 TS 3000w at least. Veg coverage would be ok but is reduced to 4x4 while in flower. And i think their 600+ each. Im running 2 viperspectra 600w in a 4x6 tent and want to upgrade to 2 TS2000. Maybe look at a bit smaller tent so you can keep the lighting price reasonable.
 
My brother and a friend both got the mars tsw 1000's I picked the tsw 2000, its foot print in veg is 4x4 and flower 3x3. So far all 3 of us luv them as do the girls under them. IDK how I will like it in a year, time will tell. I'll add, get all you can for the money you have to spend, this was under $175 over the counter.
 
I was looking at some spec last night and the Spider Farmer Amazon sells seems like it has potential. I am adding blue boosters and far red on a few of my strips to see how they affect growth next time but for the money, I think. Those two lights, Mars and spider farmer are looking like a reasonable value. I can see how it’s difficult for a new grower to look into lights and get confused and lost. WTF, happened to me initially, lulled more by price and no knowledge. A few months worth of reading, I’d never be in that same boat again with cheap leds. 315lec would be my 2nd choice
 
Might as well add my 2 cents...most of you already know what I'm going to say...safety first. For a light that will be on at least 12 hours per day it will generate significant heat (yes even LED) so get one that has been properly safety tested. To date the only LED manufacturer that I know of that has some of their models government tested is ViparSpectra. If you have a $500 budget then consider this one https://www.viparspectra.com/goods.php?id=56 or if you want a bigger space try 3 of these daisy chained together https://www.viparspectra.com/goods.php?id=59

Most of the LED panels that you find on Amazon are crap and I can almost guarantee over 90% of them have not passed government electrical safety standards (UL, CS or ETL). As mentioned in previous posts the majority of these panels are made in China and the majority of them opt to "self test" using the "CE" certification which in many cases is actually faked. It's sad but true...these companies consider profit over safety, Mars Hydro included. I contacted Mars Hydro when i was looking for a good LED panel and after numerous emails regarding safety testing they simply stopped responding...nobody would confirm or deny government safety testing.

Ironically Amazon has a policy in which it states that all third party sellers must conform to government safety regulations regarding electrical items that plug into a wall socket. Unfortunately for consumers, Amazon does not police or enforce the policy because every sale means a profit and as far as amazon is concerned it's "buyer beware". Amazon can't get sued because they are indirectly selling the product and the liability is on the third party seller!!!
 
I want to thank everyone for the information and time spent. I'm going to try an auto before the photo as to hopefully take some confusion or of the mix until I start understanding what I'm truly doing. Reading goes a long way but there's nothing better then hands on in my opinion. After the seedlings are a few weeks old, roots and big enough to handle lights, I'll be running an 18/6 on the lights, so yes, they will be on for a good amount of time. I like to spark up, just not my house, so I'll be keeping a close eye. Going to setup a simple monitor run thru my phone so I can be alerted of any issues and also just keep on eye on my work. At this point my best bet is to section off my tent to a smaller grow area, that seems to be the simplest way to get a proper coverage without spending money I don't have. I'm leaning towards a 5x5 section basically sectioning half the tent. If I go with two of the TSW 2000, that should easily give me the coverage I need all the way through veg and flower. Does that sound like a solid plan? I would rather admit my ignorance and ask for honest advice versus act like I know what I'm doing and be a douchebag. So would I just hang a reflective divider? Or just focus there lights in a 5x5 section and not worry about the divider?
 
Sounds like a plan!! I think you'll be very happy with the Mars Hydro. 2 of the tws 2000 will veg that area- you might wanna consider one of the sp250 also to flower. No need to partition- just keep the plants in the light.
 
Dude. If I understand correctly... you plan on remote monitoring? Consider trying the Wyze cam... it’s about $25.00, can easily access via cell phone or tablet, has night vision if you want it on or can turn it off, can alert you to sound and motion and takes video, snapshots or live viewing. I can say this... they’ve worked beautifully even resets easily on it own if the power goes out
 
Dude I believe you have sufficient lighting recommendations so I have a suggestion for an alternate profile pic. Whaddaya think?
Lebowski (2).jpg
 
buy a light system that has had good results and has been properly safety tested. I don't care what Mars Hydro may say over the phone or in an email. I did my homework and Mars Hydro, like most of the Chinese manufacturers, does not have their lights safety tested to government standards like your telephone, your microwave, your hot water tank, your TV...the list goes on. Ask yourself this...would you buy a microwave oven knowing it had not passed government electrical safety standards? Would you be okay knowing that something that generates a great deal of heat and radiation has not been properly safety tested because it cuts into profits? Thats exactly the case with most of these Chinese manufacturers...they simply don't care.

That's honest advice....
 
I feel like I should be applauding all of you for your safety topics, camera reviews and awesome choice of Avatar pictures. As said..... Safety is always number first, quoted by my favorite Russian. I understand your point about not being properly tested and having danger issues and I thank you very much for your concern. With that said, 90% of all pharmaceuticals come from China! I hope that helps clarify, but again thank you for your safety concerns. Farmall, excellent choice on ip cam for anytime observation. JDU, thanks for verifying my thought on sectioning a smaller area and the info for no divider needed. I don't have a clue what a sp250 is but I'll be sure to take a look today and get some knowledge on. Thanks again everyone for the guidance, humor and safety, you're all Rockstar status ✌️
 
Whoaaa! Great avatar. I love the scene where he is writing a check for 69 cents. Haven't we all been the Dude at one time or another?
 
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