Best light for indoor flowering?

[Miked1988]

I have 6 plants still in the veg stage and I’m vegging outside and plan to move indoors before they start flowering.. I’ve been looking at reviews for all sorts of lights.. but still haven’t found the right one.. I was specially looking at the mars hydro lights but can’t decide if I want to go with 1 high wattage light or 2 smaller wattage lights..looking to spend $50-250 the most.. any recommendations would help! Thanks

 

[MIMedGrower]

That is likely to bring bad things into your room and maybe house.

But for your budget if you really do it a 1000 watt hps is your best option. As long as you have about 3’ of clearance available at peak bloom.

 

[Sanjosemmj]

It can be difficult to provide enough light to your houseplants due to seasonal changes or lack of window space.

 

[Miked1988]

That is likely to bring bad things into your room and maybe house.

But for your budget if you really do it a 1000 watt hps is your best option. As long as you have about 3’ of clearance available at peak bloom.

I plan to do it in the garage.. hit them with some marigold garlic foliar spray a couple times before I move them in.. and thanks for the info I’m going to look into the hps light.. how do the hps lights compare to the led’s as far as flowering state goes? This is the first time I’m doing this transition and I’m doing it mostly because I don’t want to stink up the block and draw any more attention (a lot of nosey neighbors) I’m in northern cali so indoor growing is all good here..

 

[MIMedGrower]

I plan to do it in the garage.. hit them with some marigold garlic foliar spray a couple times before I move them in.. and thanks for the info I’m going to look into the hps light.. how do the hps lights compare to the led’s as far as flowering state goes? This is the first time I’m doing this transition and I’m doing it mostly because I don’t want to stink up the block and draw any more attention (a lot of nosey neighbors) I’m in northern cali so indoor growing is all good here..

Well security is definitely first in importance. I would continue spraying on a schedule maybe 2 more times inside if i brought the plants even in the garage. But sounds like you have a plan :)

I have not used led so i can not compare but you cant get enough led for your budget. I use 600 w hps’ and sometimes add a 315 cmh for flower.

Good to have a decent amount of intense red spectrum for best flowering results. The more blue the more leafy the buds get in my experience. So if i got say a quantum board or strip led setup. Or even cobs i would go 3000k or lower for cri.

I use 2 600 watt hps lamps to cover 6 plants in a 3.5 x 7’ area.

Dont forget about ventilation.

Hope this info helps get you started.

 

[Buzzer777]

Mars is the worst of the worst..exaggeration, CS, warranty etc. (I was booted from Grasscity for constantly calling them out (a sponsor) If you have to get an import (???), the Meizhi line is better all the way around. HLG has DIY as well as finished products and much better all the way than burple. Atrium lighting (EBAY) also uses Samsung 301B diodes (TOP SHELF..no BS) and is even less $$..

Generally..say NO to burple!

 

[Miked1988]

Well security is definitely first in importance. I would continue spraying on a schedule maybe 2 more times inside if i brought the plants even in the garage. But sounds like you have a plan :)

I have not used led so i can not compare but you cant get enough led for your budget. I use 600 w hps’ and sometimes add a 315 cmh for flower.

Good to have a decent amount of intense red spectrum for best flowering results. The more blue the more leafy the buds get in my experience. So if i got say a quantum board or strip led setup. Or even cobs i would go 3000k or lower for cri.

I use 2 600 watt hps lamps to cover 6 plants in a 3.5 x 7’ area.

Dont forget about ventilation.

Hope this info helps get you started.

Thanks for the info ventilation is my next step for sure!

Would something like this hps work good?

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Friday...+light+setup&qid=1562761327&s=gateway&sr=8-11

I’m not too experienced with using the ballists and the hps lights so I was checking a lot on Amazon/offer up/eBay for ready to go lights so I could make a fast transition (don’t wanna try piecing one together and f****** it up or buying the wrong parts and having to wait and have my plants begin to flower haha..

 

[Miked1988]

Mars is the worst of the worst..exaggeration, CS, warranty etc. (I was booted from Grasscity for constantly calling them out (a sponsor) If you have to get an import (???), the Meizhi line is better all the way around. HLG has DIY as well as finished products and much better all the way than burple. Atrium lighting (EBAY) also uses Samsung 301B diodes (TOP SHELF..no BS) and is even less $$..

Generally..say NO to burple!

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it! Yeah I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about HLG lights but I can’t find any that are ready to go for around my budget.. at any other time I would def just try to build a quantum board (hearing a lot of good things) but I don’t wanna take the risk right now on piecing out the parts having trial and errors and having the plants go into flowering by the time I get the lights right haha.. is there any hlg lights you recommend looking out for?

 

[Miked1988]

Plants are still in the early veg stage just to mention just Incase that matters for any light recommendations

 

[Kingjoshh]

Mars is the worst of the worst..exaggeration, CS, warranty etc. (I was booted from Grasscity for constantly calling them out (a sponsor) If you have to get an import (???), the Meizhi line is better all the way around. HLG has DIY as well as finished products and much better all the way than burple. Atrium lighting (EBAY) also uses Samsung 301B diodes (TOP SHELF..no BS) and is even less $$..

Generally..say NO to burple!

That’s hilarious, Mars has given me exactly what I expected from a amazon light and the meizhi ones I had to return and it was my first time actually returning something. Funny how different experience we have had. Your definitely more experienced tho

 

[Buzzer777]

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it! Yeah I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about HLG lights but I can’t find any that are ready to go for around my budget.. at any other time I would def just try to build a quantum board (hearing a lot of good things) but I don’t wanna take the risk right now on piecing out the parts having trial and errors and having the plants go into flowering by the time I get the lights right haha.. is there any hlg lights you recommend looking out for?

Google Atrium lighting on Ebay (maybe other sites too by now). He uses the same diodes (V2 301 Sammys) as HLG and a bit cheaper (simple no solder DIY). He is a very knowledgeable source and freely answers questions (NO..I am not him..LOL). The basic difference from his 288 board from the HLG is it's footprint. The Atrium is 9" sq and the HLG 288 is a short rectangle. Both have precisely machined heatsinks and hardware. I own a few of each and am very happy with mine. These diodes are currently the most efficient diodes available to the public. ie: burble..flowering about 45-55+ watts (actual) per sq ft. HLG or Atrium - about 40-45+ watts per sq ft. (Note: neither of these are BS watts, but actual from the wall).


I would post a link, but I think that might be inappropriate.

 

[Buzzer777]

That’s hilarious, Mars has given me exactly what I expected from a amazon light and the meizhi ones I had to return and it was my first time actually returning something. Funny how different experience we have had. Your definitely more experienced tho

The old saying is best..If it ain't broken..don't fix it!

My info goes back to when they used to send parts so that you could DIY on their warranty..They said to save time and the truth was to save labor and fgt! LOL.

I had Meizhi's when I 1st began indoors, but sold them upon discovering the white light.
Happy yours do well for you and no insult was intended..As for Sara at Mars..(the master of illusion and cut and paste)..I take nothing back!

The OP can always use T5 or T8 in veg from what I gather..I currently use HLG 132's at 3500k for veg and a few Photon dual kelvin thrown (Photon seems to be gone)

 

[SinCity]

Mars is the worst of the worst..exaggeration, CS, warranty etc. (I was booted from Grasscity for constantly calling them out (a sponsor) If you have to get an import (???), the Meizhi line is better all the way around. HLG has DIY as well as finished products and much better all the way than burple. Atrium lighting (EBAY) also uses Samsung 301B diodes (TOP SHELF..no BS) and is even less $$..

Generally..say NO to burple!

picking up what you're layin' down....atrium on ebay

 

[SinCity]

Google Atrium lighting on Ebay (maybe other sites too by now). He uses the same diodes (V2 301 Sammys) as HLG and a bit cheaper (simple no solder DIY). He is a very knowledgeable source and freely answers questions (NO..I am not him..LOL). The basic difference from his 288 board from the HLG is it's footprint. The Atrium is 9" sq and the HLG 288 is a short rectangle. Both have precisely machined heatsinks and hardware. I own a few of each and am very happy with mine. These diodes are currently the most efficient diodes available to the public. ie: burble..flowering about 45-55+ watts (actual) per sq ft. HLG or Atrium - about 40-45+ watts per sq ft. (Note: neither of these are BS watts, but actual from the wall).


I would post a link, but I think that might be inappropriate.

you're a rock star @Buzzer777 --none of us in my circle know how to solder lol
no solder is required if i'm going to do DIY

 

[Buzzer777]

you're a rock star @Buzzer777 --none of us in my circle know how to solder lol
no solder is required if i'm going to do DIY

hahah..No Rock Star..just passing on what I have learned.
Tip..using multiple boards..HLG says series is best..Atrium says parallel. I am not afraid of thermal runaway with these diodes and they all are wired in parallel. I find the Drivers recommended by HLG a bit on the skimpy side and those by Atrium are spot on. I would never skimp on a driver.

They both use push type connectors..very fragile if mistreated. Another tip..DON"T use the pass thru connectors on the board..There used to be
a member/mod here (not sure if I should mention his name, so I won't,) but I haven't seen him in ages..The man was a wizard!

 

[SinCity]

hahah..No Rock Star..just passing on what I have learned.
Tip..using multiple boards..HLG says series is best..Atrium says parallel. I am not afraid of thermal runaway with these diodes and they all are wired in parallel. I find the Drivers recommended by HLG a bit on the skimpy side and those by Atrium are spot on. I would never skimp on a driver.

They both use push type connectors..very fragile if mistreated. Another tip..DON"T use the pass thru connectors on the board..There used to be
a member/mod here (not sure if I should mention his name, so I won't,) but I haven't seen him in ages..The man was a wizard!

don't skimp on drivers. go with atrium. no pass through connectors on the board. got it.

huge hook up. hooking me up on this hooks up alot of peoples' worlds. i'll be sure to pass it on whenever possible. thank you...

 

[Buzzer777]

THIS is the result..These are the small HLGs and one of their 288's..The 132's don't require a heatsink..the 288's do..Also to reduce heat in the growing room, it's easy to locate the driver out of the way. :cool:

 

[Kingjoshh]

The old saying is best..If it ain't broken..don't fix it!

My info goes back to when they used to send parts so that you could DIY on their warranty..They said to save time and the truth was to save labor and fgt! LOL.

I had Meizhi's when I 1st began indoors, but sold them upon discovering the white light.
Happy yours do well for you and no insult was intended..As for Sara at Mars..(the master of illusion and cut and paste)..I take nothing back!

The OP can always use T5 or T8 in veg from what I gather..I currently use HLG 132's at 3500k for veg and a few Photon dual kelvin thrown (Photon seems to be gone)

Oh I know you didn’t mean anything negative by them. I just find it interesting! I didn’t even know mars sent lights that you could put together yourself, they seem pretty flimsy so I wouldn’t trust myself putting one of those things together!.

 

[SinCity]

THIS is the result..These are the small HLGs and one of their 288's..The 132's don't require a heatsink..the 288's do..Also to reduce heat in the growing room, it's easy to locate the driver out of the way. :cool:

View attachment 880486View attachment 880487View attachment 880488

super appreciate this...i'm moving out of my laundry room and into a big room that handled several 1000 watt Gavitas before he shut it down to take a break so i'm confident i can handle the heat...heat sinks are new to me, but controlling climate and setting up exhaust sure isn't!

 

[Buzzer777]

super appreciate this...i'm moving out of my laundry room and into a big room that handled several 1000 watt Gavitas before he shut it down to take a break so i'm confident i can handle the heat...heat sinks are new to me, but controlling climate and setting up exhaust sure isn't!

What many LED growers don't understand is that more efficient drivers expel less heat. I am in N. Nevada's high desert, and heat would be impossible for me to control. IMO, Meanwell drivers (recommended by both ) are the most efficient and the best (those little 2 inch fans are terrible). I prefer headroom left in the driver, instead of running it full out.