medicinehuman
Well-Known Member
For the price, that's a good deal. I wish I needed some.
Not sure where you can get 2400w of Chinese epi-unknown fixtures for $415. Four MarsII 1200 panels (600w actual) will cost you $1750.You are still confused about up front dollars. Lets put it this way.
Upfront:
Epistars: $13 per sqft for ideal lighting 2400w (total $415)
CMH: $78 per sqft for ideal lighting 1500w (total $2500)
That is DIY buying parts from aliexpress/ebay + parts from local hardware.Not sure where you can get 2400w of Chinese epi-unknown fixtures for $415. Four MarsII 1200 panels (600w actual) will cost you $1750.
I've seen links to CMH fixtures that were comparable to that cost.
Ok. Getting back to imported Chinese epi-whatever fixtures (which had some people upset, starting this topic) it sounds like the "decision tree" is still as short and uncomplicated as I documented it last night. (<<link)That is DIY buying parts from aliexpress/ebay + parts from local hardware.
I assume you missed a 0 on the lumens? 48,000 lumens should work well in that space.Guess I'll chime in. Thinking about two LED fixtures, each quoted as 300w, so 100 x 3w, 4800lum. Would these two be a good fit for a 2' x 4' area? Thanks.
That sounds too good to be true though, 160lm/watt, what kind? link?Guess I'll chime in. Thinking about two LED fixtures, each quoted as 300w, so 100 x 3w, 4800lum. Would these two be a good fit for a 2' x 4' area? Thanks.
With imported Chinese epi-whatever lights you'll need 40-50w/sq ft. Depends on the vertical height to some extent. If you're growing short plants in a 4-5' tent, 40w/sq ft might do. If you're growing taller plants in a 7' tent, 50 is better.No, 4800 is correct. If you're saying that 48000 would be required for a 2x4 space, then let's take the Apollo 6 for example. Which is 3600 lumens. Are you telling me that for a little 2x4 space, I would need 13 Apollo 6s?
Mine does ok, but I ordered mine with a custom spectrum based upon Grow Northern's "rebel" spectrum. $150 delivered. The main point is that it requires more watts per sq. ft and generates considerable heat compared to more efficient LEDs available.Tent hight will be 4.5' max, but can extend if needed. (custom tent) The lights are $100 each. How is your Apollo 4 running? Is it enough for 2x2?
How big a deal to extend? 4.5' sounds like a bitch to begin with, and it's quite limiting for both grow style and lighting.Tent hight will be 4.5' max, but can extend if needed. (custom tent) The lights are $100 each. How is your Apollo 4 running? Is it enough for 2x2?
Is there a reason you're considering LED instead of T5HO? If you haven't gathered yet, Chinese epi-whatever fixtures aren't well regarded. The one advantage they have is low entry cost. But, they're not known for longevity, warranty service, etc. Basically disposable and high energy consumption, high heat (compared to better LED).Tent hight will be 4.5' max, but can extend if needed. (custom tent) The lights are $100 each. How is your Apollo 4 running? Is it enough for 2x2?
Those aren't Apollos. The white backboard is the style of light I'd recommend if you're going to put a chinese fixture in a 4.5' tall tent. If you're intent on doing that (instead of T5HO or LED lightbulbs as I linked to), the brand VIPAR on eBay is recommended by experienced growers here. (They recommend against Chinese epi-whatever lights for the reasons I've mentioned. But, as the best of the worst, VIPAR gets the nod.). TopLED/MarsHydro seems to have a fairly sizeable following (compared to what you linked to). They have a user support forum at 420mag. I think there's something to be said for that kind of public support (compared to dealing with someone privately through email). If anything goes wrong, you'll have some community involvement.This is what I was originally thinking of.
When I ran T5HO I had a 4-tube fixture on top, and a 2-tube fixture in the rear angled down a bit like sidelight. 324w. I had CFLs on the corners, perhaps 20w each. I don't remember what they were. That's 400w or 50w/sq. ft. Rosenthal says in Grower's Guide that 40w/sq ft. is optimal, and 50 is the point of diminishing returns. I got 180g from half that tent, less than 1g/w but pretty good g/sq ft.But how many T5s would I need for that area? I guess I could fit an 8 bulb fixture in the 2x4. Would this be enough? I've never worked with T5s before. I've used a 125w CFL for a mother plant in a 2x2 and it was fantastic! But never T5s. (I'm not set on LEDs, just figured like everybody else that you've found something in China that might work for cheap)
To illustrate how you can do better than CFL, they are 60-70 lumens per watt. T5HO is 92. Cree LED "lightbulbs" from Home Depot are 92 with the diffusion globe, over 100 with the globe removed. Lightbulbs from AliExpress using SMD5730 chips in clear globes are 105-110. DIYers here are getting 120-140 lm/w with COBs.I've used a 125w CFL for a mother plant in a 2x2 and it was fantastic!