Need Some Advice On First Build

ganjfather · Feb 16, 2017

I wanna build a DIY light for a veg setup but I'm lost in a sea of information and the more I think about this, the less I seem to understand so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

A little rundown of my plan:
-I'm getting ready to set up a brand new grow area for veg.
-I currently flower in a 4x4 tent. I'm going to buy another 4x4, also for flower, and run an 80 day perpetual cycle.
-I think a veg area with half the sq footage of one flower area will be best, but I can + or - a sq ft.
-I'll be purchasing a tent specifically for the light AFTER the build is finished.

I think a 4 cob setup sounds ideal, but I'm not quite sure how I should arrange them. That being said, should I run all 4 in a straight line or would it be better to make a square fixture?

How should I choose my COB spectrum? Will 5000k be better for veg than 6500k? Should I get 2 COBs in 1 spectrum (maybe 45k) and the other 2 COBs in another spectrum (maybe 65k)? Or should I just stick with a single spectrum?

Is there a large difference in CREE cxb3590 compared to vero29 or other less expensive COB diodes?

I'd like to hit a target of 200w total being pulled from the wall. I'd also like better growth than what I get from an 8tube 4' T5. Will 4 COBs running at 200w make me a happy man or am I being unrealistic? Is my efficiency gonna be dogshit if I run these cobs at 50w ea? I'll change my plan up if thats the case.

Would I be better off opting for more cheaper COB diodes like veros and running them softer or should I get some cxb3590s and run them a little harder.

I dont want to spend an arm and a leg since its just a veg light for a small area. My main target is like a middle of the ground efficiency to light output.

Any advice or help you guys can offer is appreciated

Azumi207 · Feb 16, 2017

Having leds in veg isn't a bad idea but it's way more worth your while for flower in my opinion , spend the money for your flower and stick with your 8 bulb 4foot t5, just get some 460, 420 and fsuv spectrum bulbs(although some strains like GG4 do like the plain t5 bulbs or fsuv only, not mixed with the violet and indigo spectrum) having the led in flower will be better in my opinion. I'll have to brush up on my electrical math to give you a accurate comparison on those other variations of lights. Brb gotta bust out my note pad!

ganjfather · Feb 16, 2017

Thanks for the reply, but I'm definitely upgrading from the t5s. The light they put out is just bad for how much the draw from the wall. And as for LED in flower, its not a bad idea, but I'd rather stick with hids for flower. To match my hids, I'd have to spend over a grand per light. That not worth it in my opinion.

If its true what you say about LEDs not being good in veg, which honestly contradicts everything I've been told, then I'll go to CMH for veg, because t5s simply don't cut it.

Azumi207 · Feb 16, 2017

I'm not saying leds are bad for veg in any way, it's a shame the t5 don't cut it for you, they do wonders for me.

ganjfather · Feb 16, 2017

Yeah it's just too slow for what I want. How many watts do you think I'd need to be putting out for an led to beat a t5?

AvidLerner · Feb 17, 2017

I would go with4 cxb3590 5600k or 5000k 36v meanwell 285h-c1400b driver for 200w max 100w min good for veg all day long enjoy

REALSTYLES · Feb 17, 2017

ganjfather said:
I wanna build a DIY light for a veg setup but I'm lost in a sea of information and the more I think about this, the less I seem to understand so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

A little rundown of my plan:
-I'm getting ready to set up a brand new grow area for veg.
-I currently flower in a 4x4 tent. I'm going to buy another 4x4, also for flower, and run an 80 day perpetual cycle.
-I think a veg area with half the sq footage of one flower area will be best, but I can + or - a sq ft.
-I'll be purchasing a tent specifically for the light AFTER the build is finished.

I think a 4 cob setup sounds ideal, but I'm not quite sure how I should arrange them. That being said, should I run all 4 in a straight line or would it be better to make a square fixture?

How should I choose my COB spectrum? Will 5000k be better for veg than 6500k? Should I get 2 COBs in 1 spectrum (maybe 45k) and the other 2 COBs in another spectrum (maybe 65k)? Or should I just stick with a single spectrum?

Is there a large difference in CREE cxb3590 compared to vero29 or other less expensive COB diodes?

I'd like to hit a target of 200w total being pulled from the wall. I'd also like better growth than what I get from an 8tube 4' T5. Will 4 COBs running at 200w make me a happy man or am I being unrealistic? Is my efficiency gonna be dogshit if I run these cobs at 50w ea? I'll change my plan up if thats the case.

Would I be better off opting for more cheaper COB diodes like veros and running them softer or should I get some cxb3590s and run them a little harder.

I dont want to spend an arm and a leg since its just a veg light for a small area. My main target is like a middle of the ground efficiency to light output.

Any advice or help you guys can offer is appreciated

You are in luck lol I can help you with your light. I use CXB3590 6500k for veg and I use 5000k and 5600k and the 6500k vegs the best here's my old style

and here's my new design

ganjfather · Feb 17, 2017

REALSTYLES said:
You are in luck lol I can help you with your light. I use CXB3590 6500k for veg and I use 5000k and 5600k and the 6500k vegs the best here's my old style

View attachment 670020
and here's my new design
View attachment 670021
View attachment 670022

Cool sweet set up man. I think I'm going to do something very similar to your 4 lighter there, for a 3x3 veg tent instead of the 2x4. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna end up using citizens over crees though

sixstring · Feb 17, 2017

I would use the vero gen7 in 4000k and run 5 of them @ 35w each for the 3 x 3.i have a 4 x vero setup in veg right now,3000k spectrum is killing any t5 i ever used except my 12 lamp badboy fixture.but im only running my 4 cob fixture at 25w per cob so 100w over a 2.5 x 3 area and i know it would do great in a 3 x 3 tent because mine is in an open space,1 wall.4000k will work good for veg and flower if you ever decide to flower under it.
3000k stacks good though

That light is hanging 4 feet up and the plant is in a 7 gal pot.
Rapidled has good prices on vero and free shipping.can use code-growmau5 for 5% off.
Gl

ganjfather · Feb 18, 2017

sixstring said:
I would use the vero gen7 in 4000k and run 5 of them @ 35w each for the 3 x 3.i have a 4 x vero setup in veg right now,3000k spectrum is killing any t5 i ever used except my 12 lamp badboy fixture.but im only running my 4 cob fixture at 25w per cob so 100w over a 2.5 x 3 area and i know it would do great in a 3 x 3 tent because mine is in an open space,1 wall.4000k will work good for veg and flower if you ever decide to flower under it.
3000k stacks good though
View attachment 670119
That light is hanging 4 feet up and the plant is in a 7 gal pot.
Rapidled has good prices on vero and free shipping.can use code-growmau5 for 5% off.
Gl

Nice setup man, those heatsinks add style.

I actually just bought everything to throw my build together, I went with 4000k citizen 1212s with an hlg 185 c1400, and 4 northerngrowlights pin heatsinks. I'm excited to put it together. I'm gonna space them pretty similar to the growmau5 5 cob vid, but without the middle cob.

dan1989 · Feb 18, 2017

In my opinion if you go LED, Germany make the best quality diodes. If your LED has German made diodes, you have a quality product. Avoid Chinese crap. German German German. IMO

5ecret 5quirrel · Feb 18, 2017

ganjfather said:
I wanna build a DIY light for a veg setup but I'm lost in a sea of information and the more I think about this, the less I seem to understand so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

A little rundown of my plan:
-I'm getting ready to set up a brand new grow area for veg.
-I currently flower in a 4x4 tent. I'm going to buy another 4x4, also for flower, and run an 80 day perpetual cycle.
-I think a veg area with half the sq footage of one flower area will be best, but I can + or - a sq ft.
-I'll be purchasing a tent specifically for the light AFTER the build is finished.

I think a 4 cob setup sounds ideal, but I'm not quite sure how I should arrange them. That being said, should I run all 4 in a straight line or would it be better to make a square fixture?

How should I choose my COB spectrum? Will 5000k be better for veg than 6500k? Should I get 2 COBs in 1 spectrum (maybe 45k) and the other 2 COBs in another spectrum (maybe 65k)? Or should I just stick with a single spectrum?

Is there a large difference in CREE cxb3590 compared to vero29 or other less expensive COB diodes?

I'd like to hit a target of 200w total being pulled from the wall. I'd also like better growth than what I get from an 8tube 4' T5. Will 4 COBs running at 200w make me a happy man or am I being unrealistic? Is my efficiency gonna be dogshit if I run these cobs at 50w ea? I'll change my plan up if thats the case.

Would I be better off opting for more cheaper COB diodes like veros and running them softer or should I get some cxb3590s and run them a little harder.

I dont want to spend an arm and a leg since its just a veg light for a small area. My main target is like a middle of the ground efficiency to light output.

Any advice or help you guys can offer is appreciated

budget: Citizen CLU048-1818 3000k or 3500k 80cri

i agree with Azumi207, don't waste your cxb's on veg, any cheap white led should be sufficient. i'm testing out 6 strips of Cree ML-E @ 80w, should have results in a couple of weeks, pic below is one bar running at 13w ea. bar is $2

https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/testing-cree-ml-e-in-veg.86961/

5ecret 5quirrel · Feb 18, 2017

dan1989 said:
In my opinion if you go LED, Germany make the best quality diodes. If your LED has German made diodes, you have a quality product. Avoid Chinese crap. German German German. IMO

china makes all LEDs great ones and crap ones

dan1989 · Feb 18, 2017

5ecret 5quirrel said:
china makes all LEDs great ones and crap ones

Epistar are about the best you'll get from China. Second rate if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, they do the job bit if I had the money I'd get me a KINDled unit...

iKharon · Feb 18, 2017

dan1989 said:
Epistar are about the best you'll get from China. Second rate if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, they do the job bit if I had the money I'd get me a KINDled unit...

A week away from ordering my kind led k5 xl750 :)

dan1989 · Feb 18, 2017

iKharon said:
A week away from ordering my kind led k5 xl750 :)

Sweet! Will be interested to see how it performs! Bet it wasn't cheap...

iKharon · Feb 18, 2017

dan1989 said:
Sweet! Will be interested to see how it performs! Bet it wasn't cheap...

Of course not. $1200 light system.. but if you think about the savings and the yields.. totally worth it

dan1989 · Feb 18, 2017

iKharon said:
Of course not. $1200 light system.. but if you think about the savings and the yields.. totally worth it

Oh yes I'm sure that baby will pay for itself! Not worth the outlay for my current micro grow situation. But when I do my 10 plant wardrobe conversion...

REALSTYLES · Feb 18, 2017

5ecret 5quirrel said:
budget: Citizen CLU048-1818 3000k or 3500k 80cri

i agree with Azumi207, don't waste your cxb's on veg, any cheap white led should be sufficient. i'm testing out 6 strips of Cree ML-E @ 80w, should have results in a couple of weeks, pic below is one bar running at 13w ea. bar is $2
View attachment 670360 https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/testing-cree-ml-e-in-veg.86961/

I will have to disagree. Only because you only need 10w per sqft to veg with efficient cobs. I use only 59w for a 2x4 tent for reg veg and 36w for super veg just look at the inter-nodes on the plants under the 6500k

mandalaman · Feb 18, 2017

AvidLerner said:
I would go with4 cxb3590 5600k or 5000k 36v meanwell 285h-c1400b driver for 200w max 100w min good for veg all day long enjoy

Why that driver? Asking for knowledge, not to challenge.

Need Some Advice On First Build

Need Some Advice On First Build

ganjfather

Azumi207

ganjfather

Azumi207

ganjfather

AvidLerner

REALSTYLES

ganjfather

sixstring

ganjfather

dan1989

5ecret 5quirrel

5ecret 5quirrel

dan1989

iKharon

dan1989

iKharon

dan1989

REALSTYLES

mandalaman

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