[longbottom]

Hi all,

My old SF-1000 is getting some years on it and I'm thinking about moving up in power. My grow space is very small, (I'm a micro grower) 1.5 x 1.5 x 3 feet.

The old SF-1000 has worked very well, but I'm considering moving to either SF-2000 pro or a light bar style light... The SF-2000 is 200 watts, the light bar style lights are 150 watts.

The reason I'm considering moving to "light bars" vs a board is that the recommended light distance of the bar light is much lower. 10-12 inches vs 16-18 inches. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of both? Here are the lights I'm considering... There are very few reviews on the SE-1500 (Samsung EVO around $140 or the G-1500 (bridgelux around $127)

Spider Farmer SE1500 150W Led Grow Light For 2x2FT Grow Tent

Spider Farmer SE1500 150W LED Grow Light for 2×2FT Grow Tent, Smart WiFi & Bluetooth App Control, Dimmable Full Spectrum, High Efficiency Indoor Plant Light.

www.spider-farmer.com

Spider Farmer® Full Spectrum G1500 150W WiFi & Bluetooth App-Controlled, Dimmable LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants

Explore the Spider Farmer G1500 LED Grow Light – full-spectrum, high-efficiency lighting with SMART APP CONTROL. Perfect for indoor growers. Energy-saving and low heat output.

www.spider-farmer.com

2026 Spider Farmer SF2000Pro Bridgelux high-efficiency LED

Upgraded to Premium Bridgelux high-efficiency LEDs while maintaining the same output, uniformity, and reliable performance. Coverage: Coverage: 3′X3′

www.spider-farmer.com

I'm thinking either the SF-2000 or the bar lights will work better for my outside edges (where my plant grow style likes to live) You can see an example of one of my grows below, notice that the colas are on the outside of my SF-1000 (the weakest spot for lighting from the SF-1000)

Any tips greatly appreciated !

 

[Smokeshow]

Hey @longbottom !!! I know that Mars Hydro gets shit on a lot, and probably for good reason, but I have been happy with the results of my Mars FC3000. I just looked and they have a 150W bar light, the E1500 with Bridgelux diodes and on their page it is on sale for $99.00. I bet you could use some of the various "discount codes" on their site or even amazon to see where you could get the biggest discount.

(That would work for the Spider Farmer lights too!)

Just wanted to throw that one out as an option as well if you are wanting to try out the bar style lights.

Good luck with whatever you decide, brother!

Smoke

 

[longbottom]

Hey @longbottom !!! I know that Mars Hydro gets shit on a lot, and probably for good reason, but I have been happy with the results of my Mars FC3000. I just looked and they have a 150W bar light, the E1500 with Bridgelux diodes and on their page it is on sale for $99.00. I bet you could use some of the various "discount codes" on their site or even amazon to see where you could get the biggest discount.

(That would work for the Spider Farmer lights too!)

Just wanted to throw that one out as an option as well if you are wanting to try out the bar style lights.

Good luck with whatever you decide, brother!

Smoke

Thanks, that's a pretty good deal ! I'll probably stick with Spiderfarmer though, my little SF-1000 has been good to me..

I'm just wondering what the difference is between bar lights and boards, they are all similar in price..

 

[WhatWouldBobDo]

I’m more following, than have any level of recommendations. Looking for options for the 1.5x1.5 space as well.

From what I can see:
1. Spider Farmer G1500 - $125 - 150w - ~1,000 PPFD @ 10"
2. Spider Farmer SF2000 - $220 - 200w - ~1,500 PPFD @ 12"
3. Mars Hydro FC1500 - $155 - 150w - ~1,100 PPFD @ 10"
4. Mars Hydro TS1000 - $110 - 150w - ~1,350 PPFD @ 12"
5. Viparspectra XS1500 - $100 - 150w - ~1,000 PPFD @ 12"

There are a few models of 300w lights that I think could fit in the space, but I think it would be massive overkill for the space.

The fact that the G1500 and FC1500 are measuring lower PPFD, at 10” (compared to all others at 12”) is leading me against these. But could be wrong.

HLG lights don’t appear to fit in the space.

And, while I believe Spider Farmer is superior to Mars Hydro and Viparspectra, I haven’t met anyone that was unable to grow something good with either. And it’s a little hard to justify spending twice the price (TS1000 vs SF2000) for comparable lighting (1,350 vs 1,500 PPFD) and using more electricity to get it (150w vs 200w).

 

[longbottom]

I’m more following, than have any level of recommendations. Looking for options for the 1.5x1.5 space as well.

From what I can see:
1. Spider Farmer G1500 - $125 - 150w - ~1,000 PPFD @ 10"
2. Spider Farmer SF2000 - $220 - 200w - ~1,500 PPFD @ 12"
3. Mars Hydro FC1500 - $155 - 150w - ~1,100 PPFD @ 10"
4. Mars Hydro TS1000 - $110 - 150w - ~1,350 PPFD @ 12"
5. Viparspectra XS1500 - $100 - 150w - ~1,000 PPFD @ 12"

There are a few models of 300w lights that I think could fit in the space, but I think it would be massive overkill for the space.

The fact that the G1500 and FC1500 are measuring lower PPFD, at 10” (compared to all others at 12”) is leading me against these. But could be wrong.

HLG lights don’t appear to fit in the space.

And, while I believe Spider Farmer is superior to Mars Hydro and Viparspectra, I haven’t met anyone that was unable to grow something good with either. And it’s a little hard to justify spending twice the price (TS1000 vs SF2000) for comparable lighting (1,350 vs 1,500 PPFD) and using more electricity to get it (150w vs 200w).

Glad to see someone else here considering these lights, thanks for the chart. I'm sticking with Spiderfarm, but those Mars numbers are very nice.

I'm leaning towards the G1500 as it has the most diodes and seems like it will last a while. For just a bump up in price the SE-1500 has Samsung EVO's, but I doubt it matters that much. (in fact, I think the bridgelux may perform better)..

Then up to 200 watts with the Board style SF-2000pro.. I'm thinking this may be overkill in my small space, my SF-1000 does pretty well,,,

I'm just wondering that the pro and cons are to Board LED's vs Light bars? The spider-farmer has the recommended hang heights around 14-16 inches for the SF series, and 10 inches for the SE or G series.... That lower hang height will really help in my small space and may provide more light to the outer edges? Seems the board style lights have a hot spot right in the middle?

 

[WhatWouldBobDo]

Glad to see someone else here considering these lights, thanks for the chart. I'm sticking with Spiderfarm, but those Mars numbers are very nice.

I'm leaning towards the G1500 as it has the most diodes and seems like it will last a while. For just a bump up in price the SE-1500 has Samsung EVO's, but I doubt it matters that much. (in fact, I think the bridgelux may perform better)..

Then up to 200 watts with the Board style SF-2000pro.. I'm thinking this may be overkill in my small space, my SF-1000 does pretty well,,,

I'm just wondering that the pro and cons are to Board LED's vs Light bars? The spider-farmer has the recommended hang heights around 14-16 inches for the SF series, and 10 inches for the SE or G series.... That lower hang height will really help in my small space and may provide more light to the outer edges? Seems the board style lights have a hot spot right in the middle?

I’m hardly an expert, but through my reading, this is what I’ve seen others say.

The bar lights generally have less heat issues than the board lights. Which allows you to get closer to the plant. The problem is the PPFD is less, and the intensity per watt appears to be less.

To put it into comparison, the SF1000 uses 100 watts, and generally puts out about 1,000 PPFD at 12”. Meanwhile, the G1500 uses 150 watts, and generally puts out about 1,000 PPFD at 10”. The SE 1500 is comparable in PPFD and watt usage. Comparing apples to apples, the G1500/SE 1500 probably produces closer to 800 PPFD at 12”. So, the bar light needs to use 50% more power to generate 20% less light. Although, it will produce less heat as well.

I’d be preferable to SF quality over Mars Hydro and Viraspectra as well. But, unfortunately, if you want to upgrade from the SF1000, I don’t think the G1500 would be it (actually producing less light than the SF1000 at more electricity usage). The SF2000 would be the upgrade. But if you think it’s too much light for that space, probably won’t be a good fit for you.

Which is why I’m leaning more toward the TS1000 or the XS1500. I wish they made an SF1500.

 

[longbottom]

I’m hardly an expert, but through my reading, this is what I’ve seen others say.

The bar lights generally have less heat issues than the board lights. Which allows you to get closer to the plant. The problem is the PPFD is less, and the intensity per watt appears to be less.

To put it into comparison, the SF1000 uses 100 watts, and generally puts out about 1,000 PPFD at 12”. Meanwhile, the G1500 uses 150 watts, and generally puts out about 1,000 PPFD at 10”. The SE 1500 is comparable in PPFD and watt usage. Comparing apples to apples, the G1500/SE 1500 probably produces closer to 800 PPFD at 12”. So, the bar light needs to use 50% more power to generate 20% less light. Although, it will produce less heat as well.

I’d be preferable to SF quality over Mars Hydro and Viraspectra as well. But, unfortunately, if you want to upgrade from the SF1000, I don’t think the G1500 would be it (actually producing less light than the SF1000 at more electricity usage). The SF2000 would be the upgrade. But if you think it’s too much light for that space, probably won’t be a good fit for you.

Which is why I’m leaning more toward the TS1000 or the XS1500. I wish they made an SF1500

This is great information, thanks so much. I didn’t realize the PPFD was so close between all of them (minus the SF-2000)

I own a SF-1000 and in my experience, anything lower than 14 inches makes the plants very unhappy. (Even in flower). I was under the impression that the bar lights were made to hang closer to the plants, which is a huge plus for me. The board style lights also seem to have a hot spot in the center, with much lower PPFD on the edges. I had hoped that the bar style lights might give even coverage without the cold spots on the edges. (Maybe I need to study the charts a bit more.)

Maybe I’m overthinking all of this. I’m betting any of these lights will work just fine… BUT I can’t help wonder what a jump from 100 watts to 200 would do (going from SF-1000 to SF-2000. Maybe too much light? Maybe a bigger harvest? tighter buds?

Thanks again… And yes, I’d be all over and SF-1500 if they made one!

 

[WhatWouldBobDo]

I own a SF-1000 and in my experience, anything lower than 14 inches makes the plants very unhappy. (Even in flower).

I’m assuming this is at 100% power, right?

So the bar lights are able to get closer to the plants, but I believe it’s a combination of both heat that the bars put off (compared to the board), the dispersion of heat (easier to “escape” the bar), and the light intensity. You can see that in the distance recommended by SF. Here’s the SF1000.

And here’s the GE1500.

But, at least based on PPFDs only, I don’t believe the bars will produce better buds. Unless you get them super close to the bar. Granted, there is ALOT more to lights than PPFDs, but it’s the one factor that you can somewhat compare apples to apples (along with watts). What I don’t know, is what level these work at dimmed settings. For example, the SF1000 sits at 1,000 PPFDs at 12”. The SF2000 Pro sits at 1,500 PPFDs at 12”. But if you put it at 75% or 50%, would it be 800 PPFDs at 12”? And would the temperature of the SF2000 Pro at 50% be less than the SF1000 at 100%, which would allow you to get it closer?

And it would be great to be able to get the GE3000, and dim it down to 50% or 75% and get the light intensity of the SF1000 but less temperature, but it won’t work in the space we’re looking for.

IDK though, I think that’s about as far as I can take the analysis paralysis though :)

 

[longbottom]

I’m assuming this is at 100% power, right?

So the bar lights are able to get closer to the plants, but I believe it’s a combination of both heat that the bars put off (compared to the board), the dispersion of heat (easier to “escape” the bar), and the light intensity. You can see that in the distance recommended by SF. Here’s the SF1000.View attachment 2364953 And here’s the GE1500. View attachment 2364954

But, at least based on PPFDs only, I don’t believe the bars will produce better buds. Unless you get them super close to the bar. Granted, there is ALOT more to lights than PPFDs, but it’s the one factor that you can somewhat compare apples to apples (along with watts). What I don’t know, is what level these work at dimmed settings. For example, the SF1000 sits at 1,000 PPFDs at 12”. The SF2000 Pro sits at 1,500 PPFDs at 12”. But if you put it at 75% or 50%, would it be 800 PPFDs at 12”? And would the temperature of the SF2000 Pro at 50% be less than the SF1000 at 100%, which would allow you to get it closer?

And it would be great to be able to get the GE3000, and dim it down to 50% or 75% and get the light intensity of the SF1000 but less temperature, but it won’t work in the space we’re looking for.

I appreciate the tips, this is all starting to give me a headache though. I'll either buy another SF-1000 or an SF-2000 Pro...

Thanks again ! Lets drop analysis paralysis as you say, I think you hit the nail on the head...

 

[intothedragon]

Hello, sorry for the unrelated question, but I'm seeing your LST and I wonder if you could share your technique, please?

 

[Randyy]

Hello, sorry for the unrelated question, but I'm seeing your LST and I wonder if you could share your technique, please?

It seems to me like some variation of the mainline/manifold technique. Do a search on that or you can read more about it here
-> https://www.growweedeasy.com/manifold

 

[logic]

For anyone weighing bars against boards: our LED grow light types guide compares quantum boards, bar-style lights and COBs, including why bars can hang closer to the canopy and when a board is still the better value in a small space.