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Thinking about Mars Hydro

Here's lights
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Favorite is Electric Sky v300
 
Blowdout2269 said:
Ok, I've been planning a light upgrade for some time.
I was leaning towards a ES300 or SP3000. But seeing as The Green Sunshine Company is no longer manufacturing, I guess Mars Hydro is where I'll take my money, lol.
My largest space is 3×5', so about perfect for the SP3000. But even better for a SP6500. You can't have to much light, right? And considering that an ES300 is roughly the same price as a SP6500, yet 320 watts shy, I'm definitely thinking the latter.
I would prefer a light with very little maintenance(i.e. adjusting strength/height frequently).
I know alot of you here use Mars Hydro lights. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about the experience you've had. I'm a poor decision maker. So sway me either way!

Side note: Why do certain sites appear to be selling the SP6500 at about $200 less than Mars-Hydro or Amazon?
Knock off/scams?
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Recently purchased a TSW 3000 from amazon. Found a link at the bottom of there product page for a like new return..Nice discount, no tax, no shipping fees...Good Deal - I kept checking my amazon invoice to see when they would tag on tax or fees.. I like the dimming option, I do not like all the cable length on top, however the remote ballast is there if needed. It does run HOT...At full power you can not put your hand on top, mine is tucked to floor joist so I had to fabricate two heat sinks with thermal compound across each end... It draws 2 amps at 75% and few fans running (checked that with amp meter).

The plants like this light, I had to move the light up to 20" @ 75% seems to be the ideal height..You will have to look at the FAQ to find the recommended power level and height recommendations. So far So Good..I will run two very different lights side by side and compare the outcome.. One observation is the mars has white light and my DIY cobb fixture is using 3000 and 3500 kelvin 50w cobbs, these are definitely in the red but did not produce unwanted stretching.. Bottom line Mars is great value for the $..you could not build one for that now.
 
HobbitGDF - Yes, ES300 was initially my first choice. Though they seem to be somewhat difficult to find with the recent announcement from The Green Sunshine Co.
I also agree with doing extensive research before pulling the trigger on a purchase such as this. Well anything really. That's just how I am. Thank you for your input and pictures! Very helpful.

changeofpace2014 - Thank you for the comments. Currently things like heat, cord length, and removable ballasts aren't really a considerable issue in my case. I use a section of a spare basement bedroom for my hobby, though I do have the full room at my disposal. I also live in a dry mountainous climate and grow through the winter. I'm always running fans across the ballasts/boards, and if anything, it helps manage my temperatures, lol. I'll be doing some additional research on the fixture that you've mentioned. Much appreciated.
 
Blowdout2269 said:
HobbitGDF - I also agree with doing extensive research before pulling the trigger on a purchase such as this. Well anything really. That's just how I am.
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:D me too! Although I don't always go way down into the weeds. Maybe it depends on our definition of 'extensive'. IDK, but I never buy anything blind.
 
I have an SE3000 300w for my 30"x30" tent. Works great with no issues. Purchased it two or three months ago directly from Spider Farmer for $310 including shipping, Be careful you are not going for overkill in the lighting dept. and paying for more watts then are useful to you.
 
If you are growing with limited height maybe consider a fixture with out a reflector, the light spread is tight if you only have 3 ft or less..I have two fixtures but the diy cobb fixture spreads the light out more because the fixture is larger...the mars would cover the same if I could raise it..just a after thought.
 
Well, at first I was leaning towards Mars Hydro SP3000 or 6500, then I went off in the grass(pun intended), and have been researching HLG 350R, Spider Farmer SF4000, finally landing at ViparSpectra XS4000.
My largest flowering space atm is 5×3'. I really like the SF, but I fear that I'd have to add one of my 100w Maxisun boards on each end and wasting some light in the front/back. Though useful for a larger space in the future, not really nessicary right now. Overall, the best mixed spectrum, PPFD coverage for this space, and bang for your buck seems to land on Viparspectra.
Going2fast mentioned a great grow light guide on this site earlier - https://www.cocoforcannabis.com/ - unfortunately they have not done a test of the SF4000.
Yes, I'm fully down the rabbit hole right now, lol. Thoughts?
 
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Thanks, glad to hear it! I'm currently trying to wrangle these massive Big Bud plants for their last few weeks. Then I'll be starting some some exclusive autoflowers. I'll be happy to share the results. :)
 
A little more feed back on mars ts series - the light foot print is small if you are growing in a tight / low ceiling. I think this light needs some height to spread out.. thankfully I have two different led lights.
 
I also took the driver off of mine and put it outside the tent because it gets hot.
ts1000

It's cool because they have long cords so you ca remove it.
 
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