Advice On LED Choices

ltobe18

Member
Setup:
5x5 Grow tent
AC Infinity 6" w/ carbon filter
1000w HPS MH Setup
Coco coir w/ perlite
GH Flora Trio
4 plants
etc

Hey guys,

I stopped by a few hydroponic stores today, planning on purchasing an AC/DE Sunsystem Hood and the necessary ballasts and bulbs. I expected a $300 hood, $150 ballast but they carried the hood for $127. Since I'm growing in a 5x5 they suggested not using a 1000w because of heat (which I've read before) and instead to go with an LED setup for the common reasons( energy efficient, less heat, etc). They carried this LED for $950:
https://rambridge.com/growstation-640w-led-fixture.html

I originally had a light setup cost of around 450 w/o bulb so $950 is quite the jump.
Another store had this for $900:
https://flex-star.com/blogs/news/flexstar-645-w-led
My initial research was mainly on HPS/MH and while I still plan on further researching LED, but I was wondering which of these is better.

Is it worth the cost to switch plans from HID to LED?
Where can I find a comprehensive guide on LED?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Setup:
5x5 Grow tent
AC Infinity 6" w/ carbon filter
1000w HPS MH Setup
Coco coir w/ perlite
GH Flora Trio
4 plants
etc

Hey guys,

I stopped by a few hydroponic stores today, planning on purchasing an AC/DE Sunsystem Hood and the necessary ballasts and bulbs. I expected a $300 hood, $150 ballast but they carried the hood for $127. Since I'm growing in a 5x5 they suggested not using a 1000w because of heat (which I've read before) and instead to go with an LED setup for the common reasons( energy efficient, less heat, etc). They carried this LED for $950:
https://rambridge.com/growstation-640w-led-fixture.html

I originally had a light setup cost of around 450 w/o bulb so $950 is quite the jump.
Another store had this for $900:
https://flex-star.com/blogs/news/flexstar-645-w-led
That first light is rather weak sauce. The specs show Efficacy: 2.45 umole/J When I would want to see something above 2.6 for that money. Second light did not provide a number from what I saw.

Look at the HLG 650r https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/hlg-650r
It boasts a 2.81
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Setup:
5x5 Grow tent
AC Infinity 6" w/ carbon filter
1000w HPS MH Setup
Coco coir w/ perlite
GH Flora Trio
4 plants
etc

Hey guys,

I stopped by a few hydroponic stores today, planning on purchasing an AC/DE Sunsystem Hood and the necessary ballasts and bulbs. I expected a $300 hood, $150 ballast but they carried the hood for $127. Since I'm growing in a 5x5 they suggested not using a 1000w because of heat (which I've read before) and instead to go with an LED setup for the common reasons( energy efficient, less heat, etc). They carried this LED for $950:
https://rambridge.com/growstation-640w-led-fixture.html

I originally had a light setup cost of around 450 w/o bulb so $950 is quite the jump.
Another store had this for $900:
https://flex-star.com/blogs/news/flexstar-645-w-led
My initial research was mainly on HPS/MH and while I still plan on further researching LED, but I was wondering which of these is better.

Is it worth the cost to switch plans from HID to LED?
Where can I find a comprehensive guide on LED?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
This light looks pretty sweet for a 5x5. I'm probably gonna get the smaller X3-500 next time I buy a new light, but I still have new HLG's in boxes, lol. I have a code for 5% off, but It's still gonna be like $1300 shipped.
 

youraveragehorticulturist

Well-Known Member
Do you currently have a single ended, "regular" 1000 watt HPS/MH, and you were going to upgrade to double ended HPS?

Or do you currently have No Light at all, and you're starting from scratch?
 

thetruthoverlies

Well-Known Member
The Fluence VyprX light bars are awesome. One light bar covers 4x4 tray edge to edge. They are a lil spendy at 900$ but they are the best ones I've seen so far.

The VyperX is light too. Ez to hang. The ballast is not a part of the assembly that you hang.

If you haven't seen their lights just check out on youtube. Lots of money behind that product...I own one of em and was blown away by the performance. I really like the 315cmh these days...

If you have warranty issues fluence will back their product. They are however a pain in the ass to deal with if you need a replacement.
 

Bosgrower

Well-Known Member
The Fluence VyprX light bars are awesome. One light bar covers 4x4 tray edge to edge. They are a lil spendy at 900$ but they are the best ones I've seen so far.

The VyperX is light too. Ez to hang. The ballast is not a part of the assembly that you hang.

If you haven't seen their lights just check out on youtube. Lots of money behind that product...I own one of em and was blown away by the performance. I really like the 315cmh these days...

If you have warranty issues fluence will back their product. They are however a pain in the ass to deal with if you need a replacement.
The VyperX series is really meant for greenhouse applications and unless you have a really high ceiling I fear your plants will burn.
 

thetruthoverlies

Well-Known Member
The VyperX series is really meant for greenhouse applications and unless you have a really high ceiling I fear your plants will burn.

I have had nothing but amzing results with them. I keep the light bar hung about 2' above to canopy and get 4x4 coverage edge to edge. It's great.

I have a buddy who runs the fluence spydr series and he has the light burn issues you are talking about.

I am running TLO and no nutrient salts though...

I'm still stuck on 315cmh as my fav lights so far though. Finally picked up a quantum board and like what I see so far.
 
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