Possible better lighting option....

[Butters Mom]

Ok, I've reading up on LED lights, and it sounds like a 600w led that only pulls 100w is really just a 100w? So, based on that, I found this alternative that I've also heard mentioned here that pulls 240w (for my 2x2x4 tent).

 

[Airwalker16]

No.... Just buy an HLG kit

 

[Humple]

What's your max budget?

 

[Butters Mom]

What's your max budget?

I'd like to keep the light to under $100. Here's another I found with a 300w pull

 

[Humple]

I'd like to keep the light to under $100. Here's another I found with a 300w pullView attachment 4481264

To be completely frank with you, at under $100 you'd be better off forgetting LED altogether. Go with a cheap HPS.

 

[Butters Mom]

To be completely frank with you, at under $100 you'd be better off forgetting LED altogether. Go with a cheap HPS.

The only other grow I've done was outdoors. Are you talking something like this?

 

[Airwalker16]

The only other grow I've done was outdoors. Are you talking something like this?View attachment 4481273

Yup. But you'd need to get the ballast, reflector/hood, socket, and it can be bought altogether.

 

[Butters Mom]

Yup. But you'd need to get the ballast, reflector/hood, socket, and it can be bought altogether.

Ok, so the cost would be comparable or a bit more than either of the lights above. Be in ng that my tent is only 2x2x4, wouldn't either of those lights be enough for a complete cycle? Thanks for your input!

 

[JohnDee]

Ok, so the cost would be comparable or a bit more than either of the lights above. Be in ng that my tent is only 2x2x4, wouldn't either of those lights be enough for a complete cycle? Thanks for your input!

They make a 250w hps that would be about right for that tent. HIDs do produce more heat...but they grow good buds.
JD

 

[spek9]

They make a 250w hps that would be about right for that tent. HIDs do produce more heat...but they grow good buds.
JD

I would highly recommend getting a 600W with dimmable ballast. They can dim down to 300W, or some of them even 250W. That way, if expansion ever occurs, the luminosity can be increased accordingly.

I'd go as far as to recommend a 1000W dimmable, but only if it can be dimmed down to 400W or below. I'm sure above 400W would be too much for a 2x2' tent unless extreme ventilation and ideal exterior room conditions are met.

 

[JohnDee]

I would highly recommend getting a 600W with dimmable ballast. They can dim down to 300W, or some of them even 250W. That way, if expansion ever occurs, the luminosity can be increased accordingly.

I'd go as far as to recommend a 1000W dimmable, but only if it can be dimmed down to 400W or below. I'm sure above 400W would be too much for a 2x2' tent unless extreme ventilation and ideal exterior room conditions are met.

That's an option. I've been using a 250w bulb for veg...in a 400w ballast. Works good. OP is on a budget...and a dimmable larger lamp would cost more.
JD

 

[Chip Green]

For only four square feet though Butters, you really only need about 100W(actual) of even a marginal, white LED, to get a decent run going...
I use 2x2x4 tents for seedlings, cloners, ect...I can't even fathom trying to run even a 250 HPS in there...I know it can be done, but wow....
Think you can put a DIY kit together?

 

[Butters Mom]

For only four square feet though Butters, you really only need about 100W(actual) of even a marginal, white LED, to get a decent run going...
I use 2x2x4 tents for seedlings, cloners, ect...I can't even fathom trying to run even a 250 HPS in there...I know it can be done, but wow....
Think you can put a DIY kit together?

Oh definitely! I've got everything ready to go on amazon lol it's the lighting that's been throwing me off. Thanks

 

[Chip Green]

I take it you were looking at the Mars 600 for 80 bux?
What I meant about the kit, was a DIY LED grow light kit. Is that something you have considered? You can get a substantially better light for $120.

 

[Butters Mom]

I take it you were looking at the Mars 600 for 80 bux?
What I meant about the kit, was a DIY LED grow light kit. Is that something you have considered? You can get a substantially better light for $120.

I've read up a bit on a diy light, just not attempted yet. I was actually looking at these 2 light; a bit more than 100w actual, but I was under the impression I needed 200-240w.

 

[JohnDee]

Butters Mom,
You know you've made it difficult because we can't use your initials...have to spell it out.

Light intensity using grower shorthand can be estimated by watts/square foot. Because LEDs are more efficient...the numbers are lower...like 35watts per square foot...that's 140w for your space. You want more for flower then in veg...so if you just get the minimal now...in a month when plants are bigger...you'll need a flower light.
JD

 

[Chip Green]

4 square feet, 120W of white based LED will do it. Even "shitty" whites. Okay maybe 150W of shitty ones....It's not that they don't grow, it's that they might not last, and LED spazoids, like me, know there is better.
Plenty of worthwhile grows have been pulled off with those types of units.
The newest Mars 600, white based, board style, looks like it might be the best, shitty light around.

But for $120 USD, the 135W DIY kit from HLG is pretty tasty.

 

[Butters Mom]

Butters Mom,
You know you've made it difficult because we can't use your initials...have to spell it out.

Light intensity using grower shorthand can be estimated by watts/square foot. Because LEDs are more efficient...the numbers are lower...like 35watts per square foot...that's 140w for your space. You want more for flower then in veg...so if you just get the minimal now...in a month when plants are bigger...you'll need a flower light.
JD

Yeah, I hadn't thought of that (my name) it's kinda my go to for 15 years now lol Butters will be 16 in April.

Thanks for breaking that down for me!

 

[JohnDee]

What a handsome dog...so you're his Mom...cute

 

[GBAUTO]

Woof!!!