Help. I need to upgrade led but I'm confused

Realbax

Realbax

Well-Known Member
I just finished my first grow. I was happy with the quality but not quantity. So I asked the site for some opinions on best way to increase yield and the answers were to tweak the environment in places and upgrade my lighting. I have a budget of really like to stay within of 500. The lighting I am using and sticking with is led. I am currently using blurple leds with a combined wattage of 360. The recommended kit ( https://growerslights.com/collectio...00h-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=42943942538) was a bit over my budget but gave me a direction to research. I came across these samsung lm561c and the bridgelux eb series, and thought this would be the way for me to get the cob leds everyone states are the superior ROI. But then someone i know and respect gave me these links and said that these were what he was considering for his own addition to the garden
https://www.howtogrowweed420.com/LED.html and https://www.heliospectra.com/led_grow_light_products

I was going to puĺl the trigger on the cob kit but the case he made for the first link made a lot of sense by combining the full spectrum blurple with a few powerful cobs seems perfect for a just under 4x4x8 space, or is it? Lmao I'm lost...Help I only can do this one upgrade for the foreseeable future and I need to get it as perfect as possible. Any suggestions and advice is appreciated as always
 
ANC said:
If money is tight, go for the Bridgelux. It is only a marginal step down.
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So you would say the straight cob or straight white spectrum in the 3k to 35k is the better option for the ROI? The price I think would range between 4-6 for the bridgelux to the first blurple/cob combo. I'm hesitant about shorting myself, if I have to find another bill now knowing I'll be able to get it back in 8 weeks I will.
 
Blurple sux, it is all marketing.
Worst of all is you can't see problems develop before it is too late cause the clour looks all fucked.
 
ANC said:
Blurple sux, it is all marketing.
Worst of all is you can't see problems develop before it is too late cause the clour looks all fucked.
Click to expand...

This is the most compelling anti blurple argument i've ever heard, woah!

ANC said:
If money is tight, go for the Bridgelux. It is only a marginal step down.
Click to expand...

Second on the bridgelux strips, i usually recommend them over cobs considering how much cheaper they are to build.
 
ANC said:
Blurple sux, it is all marketing.
Worst of all is you can't see problems develop before it is too late cause the clour looks all fucked.
Click to expand...

Actually, worst of all is: eye damage, which is nor reversible

I don't see where you posted your space size
 
The room is just under 4x4x8. So the straight bridgelux is the best way to go here? I thought for sure the way would be straight cob or the 420 link with blurple cob combo which feels like it should be ideal. I may be more confused now than ever
 
I just got some Solstrips and built a fixture for my tent. Great deal and they use the Samsung LM561C chips, which are the same chips used in Quantum boards.

So far, I am really happy with the product - my babies really like these compared to my old CFL's. The customer service from the owner has been excellent from start to finish.

I cant post links yet, so try a google for 'solstrip' and that should work.
 
Pretty hard to do properly light 4 x 4 for $1000, let alone $500. Consider one light now and another to fill the space when dollars permit. With 8ft height you could run a perpetual with a starter light for seedlings/clones up top and mature plants below

Some strains are excellent quality but not big producers and vise versa

I use Amare Technologies. They are RIU advertiser . RIU members get 25% discount
 
I have been researching this to DEATH for MONTHS. Your budget isn't going to allow you to do much. I'm not a person to buy something just to have it because it falls within a $$ range. You'll eventually replace it when you get more $$, so you are wasting your initial investment.

Save some $$ up and get the best. There are a LOT of people who are really loving the Fluence SPYDRx Plus but they are $1,500 each.

Do a YouTube search and see the results for yourself.

https://fluence.science/technology/spydr/
 
Lot's of options out there-turn key hi $ fixtures like the one linked above are impressive and if you don't want to fab up a fixture, it's an option. For the space you have with most led's, you'll need at least 650W of power to get an adequate light intensity. Seems the bare minimum on DIY builds is around 1$/watt-either plan on using your current blurple along with whatever OR save some more money and build a rig that's up to the job.
 
Realbax said:
I just finished my first grow. I was happy with the quality but not quantity. So I asked the site for some opinions on best way to increase yield and the answers were to tweak the environment in places and upgrade my lighting. I have a budget of really like to stay within of 500. The lighting I am using and sticking with is led. I am currently using blurple leds with a combined wattage of 360. The recommended kit ( https://growerslights.com/collectio...00h-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=42943942538) was a bit over my budget but gave me a direction to research. I came across these samsung lm561c and the bridgelux eb series, and thought this would be the way for me to get the cob leds everyone states are the superior ROI. But then someone i know and respect gave me these links and said that these were what he was considering for his own addition to the garden
https://www.howtogrowweed420.com/LED.html and https://www.heliospectra.com/led_grow_light_products

I was going to puĺl the trigger on the cob kit but the case he made for the first link made a lot of sense by combining the full spectrum blurple with a few powerful cobs seems perfect for a just under 4x4x8 space, or is it? Lmao I'm lost...Help I only can do this one upgrade for the foreseeable future and I need to get it as perfect as possible. Any suggestions and advice is appreciated as always
Click to expand...

Buy 1x HLG 260w Quantum board kit for $325 and use along side your existing light. Buy a second 260w kit after next harvest. Job done.
 
coreywebster said:
Buy 1x HLG 260w Quantum board kit for $325 and use along side your existing light. Buy a second 260w kit h th tech being promoted.
i know this post is getting a little drawn out and may be im beating a dead horse bht again i need to get this right. so with that said will i be able to get the best yeild for my dollar with this kit? someone just mentioned mcob lighting. Hlg 260w, hlg 600h, 320 XL quantum or is something like this bud beacon system that integrates cobs with full spectrum including IR and UV b a better addition? Like I said boys I need to add the most quality weight for my dollar. Sorry again if I'm dragging this out
Click to expand...
 
Drawn out? lol don't be silly this is a short post compared to others..
I can appreciate you only want to spend your money once. Or in case of my suggestion spend slight more in two increments.
I cant say much about the addition of IR and UVb other than that's what you get on all the " full spectrum" cheapo LEDs, I don't think the added UV adds up to anything that makes any difference. Just seems a lot of hype and sales nonsense. I don't believe there is any definitive proof they do anything.

I can only speak from experience as far as the Quantum boards go, I couldn't be happier with them and everyone I can think of who have switched to them would say the same.
I run 2x 260w kits in half my flower tent, they cover a 4x4 space really well, I haven't pulled less than 1.5lb from them growing 4 plants since I switched. Including the driver loss both 260w kits add up to 570w at the wall.
The HLG 600 should provide even more light been slightly higher wattage and having the same board efficiency as the 260w kits.
I think the popularity of HLG products speaks for itself. I have heard of helio spectra but never seen a grow diary with them or seen genuine results.

Best advice I can offer really is take your time, check out the various quantum board threads, check out growmau5s youtube vids to see what he can do with either QBs or COB lighting. I can tell you all day long what my set up is like but that doesn't come close to a genuine vid showing real results with gram per watt and gram per square foot included repeated time after time. :bigjoint:
 
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