Light Shopping

[Highkev]

I have a 15*5 area plus room to walk completely around. ceilings are about 7-8 foot . I was considering the spider type lights or cob lights or quantum’s. Can’t make up my mind but I need the highest of par levels all the way to the edges. Cause I’m looking to improve weight. Any suggestions for this noob would be humbly greatfully appreciated. I need more weight and cheaper light bill and better weed.

 

[Dummy buds]

I'm running the fluence spiderX and they effectively cover a 4x4 pattern, but have good par at 5x5.

 

[MIMedGrower]

I read where timber lights has started recomending cobs for most applications. They still sell boards but took them off their site and were asked why on riu.

They said coverage and penetration are better in most cases.

And you have plenty of height.

 

[Highkev]

So if I bought cob how many would I need. I don’t understand these lights at all. Do you have to put them together yourself? What else do I need to know being a complete noob to cobs

 

[MIMedGrower]

Well i cant say as i have not tried led personally. But i was looking at these.

https://timbergrowlights.com/

 

[MIMedGrower]

Im following along to learn more with you @Highkev

 

[JWM2]

The only problems I can think of with COB is the heat they tend to produce and the fact they focus the light on a smaller area.

So while penetration is surely going to be better you’d have to run the lights higher which would further reduce efficiency so I’m not sold they are the way to go.

I do think leds pointed in each direction would solve some of the penetration issues with quantum boards but can’t confirm it as I don’t know any quantum board manufacturer currently offering that option.

Or possibly a hybrid setup with both lights might be a way to go. Quantum in the middle and cobs angled around the perimeter. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Highkev]

The only problems I can think of with COB is the heat they tend to produce and the fact they focus the light on a smaller area.

So while penetration is surely going to be better you’d have to run the lights higher which would further reduce efficiency so I’m not sold they are the way to go.

I do think leds pointed in each direction would solve some of the penetration issues with quantum boards but can’t confirm it as I don’t know any quantum board manufacturer currently offering that option.

Or possibly a hybrid setup with both lights might be a way to go. Quantum in the middle and cobs angled around the perimeter. Just thinking out loud.

I’m loving the combo idea

 

[MIMedGrower]

The only problems I can think of with COB is the heat they tend to produce and the fact they focus the light on a smaller area.

So while penetration is surely going to be better you’d have to run the lights higher which would further reduce efficiency so I’m not sold they are the way to go.

I do think leds pointed in each direction would solve some of the penetration issues with quantum boards but can’t confirm it as I don’t know any quantum board manufacturer currently offering that option.

Or possibly a hybrid setup with both lights might be a way to go. Quantum in the middle and cobs angled around the perimeter. Just thinking out loud.

Why not mix em up. The best hid rooms had overhead hps with bare mh hanging down with the canopy.

 

[JWM2]

Why not mix em up. The best hid rooms had overhead hps with bare mh hanging down with the canopy.

Oh for sure. I think you’d get the best of both worlds if you did that.

 

[crimsonecho]

Cobs are what i use. 18 cxb1830. Each run at 25 watts. These are mounted on 3 aluminium slabs (heatsinks) 100cm, 6 on each. I mostly ran 2 bars at any given time in a 3x4 area, except the first 3 weeks of bloom. I can honestly say, they are very good.

https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/a-decision-needs-to-be-made.100544/

The downside is with these type of designs you have to put it together yourself. There are plug and play of course but those are usually very overpriced or low quality.

Don’t turn your back on blurples either. Some companies produce quality blurples and they work well. But again they’re over priced when they are high quality.

If you have the patience and the ability, i’d opt for a diy.

I guess the question is; whats your budget?

 

[Highkev]

Cobs are what i use. 18 cxb1830. Each run at 25 watts. These are mounted on 3 aluminium slabs (heatsinks) 100cm, 6 on each. I mostly ran 2 bars at any given time in a 3x4 area, except the first 3 weeks of bloom. I can honestly say, they are very good.

https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/a-decision-needs-to-be-made.100544/

The downside is with these type of designs you have to put it together yourself. There are plug and play of course but those are usually very overpriced or low quality.

Don’t turn your back on blurples either. Some companies produce quality blurples and they work well. But again they’re over priced when they are high quality.

If you have the patience and the ability, i’d opt for a diy.

I guess the question is; whats your budget?

I’m looking to save money but I want to make sure I have the best possible light par readings across the canopy to produce the most I can with the space I got. I can do it myself but I will need much guidance lol. Where did u get your aluminum slabs to make your room? Do I make one massive aluminum slab or do I make multiple aluminum slabs? How to connect them all and why not confuses me. Im in no rush so I want to make sure I get this right as the center of my ups gets high par readings and buds are always the biggest and best looking in the high par range. Thanks for all your help farmers

 

[Highkev]

Cobs are what i use. 18 cxb1830. Each run at 25 watts. These are mounted on 3 aluminium slabs (heatsinks) 100cm, 6 on each. I mostly ran 2 bars at any given time in a 3x4 area, except the first 3 weeks of bloom. I can honestly say, they are very good.

https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/a-decision-needs-to-be-made.100544/

The downside is with these type of designs you have to put it together yourself. There are plug and play of course but those are usually very overpriced or low quality.

Don’t turn your back on blurples either. Some companies produce quality blurples and they work well. But again they’re over priced when they are high quality.

If you have the patience and the ability, i’d opt for a diy.

I guess the question is; whats your budget?

Would u add a quantum to the middle of your cobs like jwm2 said

 

[MIMedGrower]

I’m looking to save money but I want to make sure I have the best possible light par readings across the canopy to produce the most I can with the space I got. I can do it myself but I will need much guidance lol. Where did u get your aluminum slabs to make your room? Do I make one massive aluminum slab or do I make multiple aluminum slabs? How to connect them all and why not confuses me. Im in no rush so I want to make sure I get this right as the center of my ups gets high par readings and buds are always the biggest and best looking in the high par range. Thanks for all your help farmers

Tons of info here. Click the menu box.

http://ledgardener.com/

 

[Highkev]

Tons of info here. Click the menu box.

http://ledgardener.com/

Thank u

 

[MIMedGrower]

Where is @sixstring when you need him?

You still around man?

 

[MIMedGrower]

Thank u

Your welcome. I may diy some lights for my new shorty 4x8. I was going with hps and cmh but man these new lights are sexy!

 

[crimsonecho]

Would u add a quantum to the middle of your cobs like jwm2 said

Yes i would. I would make my middle 2 rows out of strips or boards. But i cannot comment about their ability to grow as i have not used them yet. Seems promising on paper for sure.

I’m looking to save money but I want to make sure I have the best possible light par readings across the canopy to produce the most I can with the space I got. I can do it myself but I will need much guidance lol. Where did u get your aluminum slabs to make your room? Do I make one massive aluminum slab or do I make multiple aluminum slabs? How to connect them all and why not confuses me. Im in no rush so I want to make sure I get this right as the center of my ups gets high par readings and buds are always the biggest and best looking in the high par range. Thanks for all your help farmers

There is a simple conversion factor you can utilize to estimate the par value based on lux. Or you can get a quantum meter. Anyway, when i use a lightmeter and apply the conversion factor when all 3 are lit, from 12-14 inches i get 800-1000-800 under the lights. Very equal distribution overall. That may not be 100% accurate but i can see that my plants are loving it. Not only cannabis but my tomatoes too.

Aluminium slabs are in the tent. 100cmx3 hanging from the bars. 6 cobs mounted on each and the drivers are outside the tent. You can also utilize 2 fan per heatsink and they will run even cooler. With this setup when breeze dies it gets about 45C on the back of the cobs.

I just harvested this and more using these lights and this is enough for me :) This could even go a week more maybe. Its a blueberry.

 

[JWM2]

To be perfectly honest I don’t think you can go wrong with either quantum or cobs. Both are similar technologies utilizing similar spectrums and just executing it a tad differently. Either or and you’ll be thrilled.

 

[Nugg]

I run led.. about 5 yrs.now..i like the Mars hydro11 so far..I have 2-1600w..6×6 grow... viparspectrums in the other room..I want to sell all 5 and buy 2more Mars...they came out with the epistar series...it has curved sides.