Do you prefer quantum boards or strips?

[chronnie49]

I ran out of height in my room during my last run and had quite a few coals grow straight into my strip lights a few times. I’d go to check on the plants and they’d be touching the LEDs with zero signs of burn.

Is that because the diodes are driven softer? I definitely couldn't pull that off with my 110 or 220 watt boards .

 

[sf_frankie]

Is that because the diodes are driven softer? I definitely couldn't pull that off with my 110 or 220 watt boards .

Yeah. Not all strips are created equally though. Mine have more diodes than a lot of others I’ve seen. You could wrap your hand around my lights like you would a motorcycle throttle and it barely even feels warm.

 

[chronnie49]

Yeah. Not all strips are created equally though. Mine have more diodes than a lot of others I’ve seen. You could wrap your hand around my lights like you would a motorcycle throttle and it barely even feels warm.

What light do you have?

 

[sf_frankie]

What light do you have?

720w 8 bar light from alibaba. Has the lm281 diodes instead of the latest/greatest Samsung lm301. It’s got over 320 LEDs per bar. For shits and giggles I just pointed my infrared thermometer at it. Also pointed it my T5 cause I was curious and it turns out the T5 actually runs hotter.

 

[chronnie49]

720w 8 bar light from alibaba. Has the lm281 diodes instead of the latest/greatest Samsung lm301. It’s got over 320 LEDs per bar. For shits and giggles I just pointed my infrared thermometer at it. Also pointed it my T5 cause I was curious and it turns out the T5 actually runs hotter.
View attachment 4826743View attachment 4826744

Very nice. I've been looking on Alibaba for a smaller version of that type of light but haven't had any luck.

For a 3x3 it looks like my options are the Mars fc300
https://marshydro.eu/collections/fc-series/products/fc-3000

Maxibright Daylight

https://www.onestopgrowshop.co.uk/products/maxibright-daylight-200w-300w-led-grow-lights?taxon_id=19

Lumatek Attis which looks the same as the Maxibright

https://www.led-grower.eu/lumatek-attis-300w/

 

[sf_frankie]

Very nice. I've been looking on Alibaba for a smaller version of that type of light but haven't had any luck.

For a 3x3 it looks like my options are the Mars fc300
https://marshydro.eu/collections/fc-series/products/fc-3000

Maxibright Daylight

https://www.onestopgrowshop.co.uk/products/maxibright-daylight-200w-300w-led-grow-lights?taxon_id=19

Lumatek Attis which looks the same as the Maxibright

https://www.led-grower.eu/lumatek-attis-300w/

You could always build your own. I looked into it pretty extensively and it really does not look difficult. I commented on a post last week where someone had a mini strip light that they got from Amazon. Lemme see if I can find it

 

[sf_frankie]

You could always build your own. I looked into it pretty extensively and it really does not look difficult. I commented on a post last week where someone had a mini strip light that they got from Amazon. Lemme see if I can find it

Found it. I have no experience with it but it looks halfway decent on paper. No it’s not the latest and greatest chips or anything but it’s cheap and you don’t have to deal with the alibaba hassle (which isn’t that bad but some refuse). If anything, just goes to show you that there are other options for the size/style of light you’re after.

SideKing SK3000 LED Grow Light Bar, 2020 latest 300W Foldable Grow Light with OSRAM diodes & Sosen Driver Dimmable lights Sunlike Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Hydroponic Veg and Bloom (648pcs LEDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q9D8QD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JVT5DV8BHQYEG7R8E9N2

 

[sf_frankie]

You could always build your own. I looked into it pretty extensively and it really does not look difficult. I commented on a post last week where someone had a mini strip light that they got from Amazon. Lemme see if I can find it

Found it. I have no experience with it but it looks halfway decent on paper. No it’s not the latest and greatest chips or anything but it’s cheap and you don’t have to deal with the alibaba hassle (which isn’t that bad but some refuse). If anything, just goes to show you that there are other options for the size/style you’re after.

SideKing SK3000 LED Grow Light Bar, 2020 latest 300W Foldable Grow Light with OSRAM diodes & Sosen Driver Dimmable lights Sunlike Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Hydroponic Veg and Bloom (648pcs LEDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q9D8QD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JVT5DV8BHQYEG7R8E9N2

 

[chronnie49]

Found it. I have no experience with it but it looks halfway decent on paper. No it’s not the latest and greatest chips or anything but it’s cheap and you don’t have to deal with the alibaba hassle (which isn’t that bad but some refuse). If anything, just goes to show you that there are other options for the size/style you’re after.

SideKing SK3000 LED Grow Light Bar, 2020 latest 300W Foldable Grow Light with OSRAM diodes & Sosen Driver Dimmable lights Sunlike Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Hydroponic Veg and Bloom (648pcs LEDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q9D8QD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JVT5DV8BHQYEG7R8E9N2

Thanks for that. Unfortunately shipping to Europe and customs fees would be almost as much as the light but maybe I can find something similar on UK Amazon.

 

[sf_frankie]

Thanks for that. Unfortunately shipping to Europe and customs fees would be almost as much as the light but maybe I can find something similar on UK Amazon.

Are you against ordering from Alibaba? Even after shipping’s and customs fees it’s still cheaper. My 720w lights were originally about $500 a piece to my door. They sent me the wrong light so I got a partial refund which put them at $375. Not bad for a light that will go toe to toe with a gavita 1700e.

If you do go the alibaba route, check out Meijiu or KingBrite. Those are the two vendors with the best reputation on here and other boards.

 

[chronnie49]

Are you against ordering from Alibaba? Even after shipping’s and customs fees it’s still cheaper. My 720w lights were originally about $500 a piece to my door. They sent me the wrong light so I got a partial refund which put them at $375. Not bad for a light that will go toe to toe with a gavita 1700e.

If you do go the alibaba route, check out Meijiu or KingBrite. Those are the two vendors with the best reputation on here and other boards.

I have 4 lights from Alibaba so that the first place I usually look. I have two lights that are the same as the Spiderfarmer sf2000 and two sf1000. I just can't find any strips on there that would fit in a 3x3.

 

[chronnie49]

Im downgrading from a 5x5x7 to a 2.5x2.5 and a 3x3. I was thinking about using both of the sf2000s dimmed to flower the 3x3 and the 1000s for the veg tent. I also have a 315cmh so I might veg or flower with that sometimes too.

 

[sf_frankie]

I have 4 lights from Alibaba so that the first place I usually look. I have two lights that are the same as the Spiderfarmer sf2000 and two sf1000. I just can't find any strips on there that would fit in a 3x3.

Ohh okay. Any particular reason you want to go strip lights? QBs should be fine for a space that small unless you're dealing with heat and or height issues and you want the plants to be able to grow into the lights.

I'm convinced that most of the LED lights you see online all come from Alibaba save for a few of the bigger brands. I have seen the Lumatek style light on Alibaba. Same square configuration and goofy coloring scheme.

 

[sf_frankie]

Im downgrading from a 5x5x7 to a 2.5x2.5 and a 3x3. I was thinking about using both of the sf2000s dimmed to flower the 3x3 and the 1000s for the veg tent. I also have a 315cmh so I might veg or flower with that sometimes too.

2 sf2000s should be more than enough to flower a 3x3. How big is the veg tent? The sf1000 should be fine to veg if its also a 3x3.

 

[chronnie49]

2 sf2000s should be more than enough to flower a 3x3. How big is the veg tent? The sf1000 should be fine to veg if its also a 3x3.

I'll use a 2.5x2.5x6.5 for veg. I have plenty of light so I'm not sure if ill get something with strips but it is tempting.

 

[sf_frankie]

I'll use a 2.5x2.5x6.5 for veg. I have plenty of light so I'm not sure if ill get something with strips but it is tempting.

I know the feeling. My lights are perfectly fine and I'm happy with them but I'm constantly shopping for new ones

The only thing holding me back is lack of funds due to the covid slow down. If I had had extra money to burn over the last few months I'd probably have a garage full of lights and other grow bullshit. Everything should be going back to normal for us in March pay wise so that's when the fun begins!

 

[chronnie49]

Ohh okay. Any particular reason you want to go strip lights? QBs should be fine for a space that small unless you're dealing with heat and or height issues and you want the plants to be able to grow into the lights.

I'm convinced that most of the LED lights you see online all come from Alibaba save for a few of the bigger brands. I have seen the Lumatek style light on Alibaba. Same square configuration and goofy coloring scheme.

I dont have a particular reason for wanting strips, I just like to try the new tech. I think you're right about most lights coming straight from china which is why i like to go directly to the source.

 

[chronnie49]

Do you have a link for the lumatek style lights? I was looking but didnt see any.

 

[sf_frankie]

I dont have a particular reason for wanting strips, I just like to try the new tech. I think you're right about most lights coming straight from china which is why i like to go directly to the source.

My local grow generation has a display in the store that has a Fluence Spydr, Gavita Pro 1700e and light from a company called ION LED all side by side. The ION LED is 100% an Alibaba light and very very similar to what I've got. Compared along side the Gavita and the Fluence, there really is not a noticeable difference in build quality. If anything the Gavita appeared to be the cheapest feeling one. I know thats not all there is to judge a light on but still. I didn't buy my light expecting it to last 10 years. I was banking on 2 years tops. By then I figured there would be some new tech I'd wanna try out. After one grow with my lights, I'm confident I made the right choice. There is no way the Gavita is worth over three times as much!

 

[sf_frankie]

Do you have a link for the lumatek style lights? I was looking but didnt see any.

I don't, sorry! I just knew that I had seen them back when I was originally doing my research on Alibaba lights. If I come across them again I'll be sure to send them your way!