Looking to upgrade. 180 or 240w Blackstar?

[kmin]

Hello Everyone.

First off, I just want you all to know that I am a novice and am currently on my first grow. I'm in my 6th week of veg and will be flowering soon.

Up until now I have been using CFL's exclusively for my 2x2 sq. ft. grow. They fit my needs at the time.
For veg I used 8x45w 6500k CFL's; 360 watts total.
For flowering I will be using the same setup but with 2700k CFL's.

I have had my share of heat problems which I have resolved. Currently everything is running fine and I am happy with my grow but with summer coming I'm afraid I'll be running into these issues again.

HOWEVER, I am already planning my next grow (Arent we all?) and I have some questions.

As mentioned I currently am using a 2x2 Sq. Ft. grow area and plan on expanding to something larger as some point. I don't know when though or how much bigger. Maybe 3x3 or 4x4.

I'd like to plan for the future if possible.

Should I just get a 180w Blackstar that has a 2x2 coverage and buy additional units later on, Or can I get away with using a larger 240w Blackstar in a 2x2 area? Or is using a light designed for a larger area somehow not a good idea? (I am using a grow tent)

The website also mentions that optimal distance from plants to the LED is recommended 10-14 inches. But I have seen others hang their lights 2 or more feet away, While others practically lay their lights on the plants. I'd like to be able to keep them as close as possible so I'm not wasting vertical space. Can I hang them 10-14 away? Opinions?

One last question... The website says that it is a flowering light but can be used for veg and flowering. Yet they also have a vegetation light. Can I just buy the one LED and be done with it for all stages of growth?

Ok, I have babbled enough. Sorry for the wall of text. I think I have explained myself in full but if I have missed anything please let me know.

Any guidance would be appreciated. And whatever i choose I will be posting a LED grow journal here when I am ready.

Thanks!

 

[TubeAndJar]

I generally tend to take what the company claims as the coverage area and 1/2 it. Therefore, I'd say you would need 2x240 in a 4x4. 2x180s can pretty much lay on the plant like you described with no negative effect in a 2x4, but it's almost not enough light spread. The 240s are more powerful so they might bleach the buds more than a 180 would, but I've never seen it. If you buy the flowering model then yes, you can use it for veg just fine.

I'd say if you are going to use the 2x2 area for a few more harvests and then expand, you might as well spring for 1x240 now and then save for the 2nd upgrade later. Although, in that small space the 180 will do just fine.

 

[PhatDaddy]

I generally tend to take what the company claims as the coverage area and 1/2 it. Therefore, I'd say you would need 2x240 in a 4x4. 2x180s can pretty much lay on the plant like you described with no negative effect in a 2x4, but it's almost not enough light spread. The 240s are more powerful so they might bleach the buds more than a 180 would, but I've never seen it. If you buy the flowering model then yes, you can use it for veg just fine.

I'd say if you are going to use the 2x2 area for a few more harvests and then expand, you might as well spring for 1x240 now and then save for the 2nd upgrade later. Although, in that small space the 180 will do just fine.

I had a similar question, and was also looking into the BlackStar LED system. jasonkanz posted a picture of the Actual draw compared to the advertised draw.
Here is a link to his post that has the pictures of the charts:
https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/514119-anybody-have-experience-blackstarled-com.html#post7167668

Blackstar 240W - Advertised 240W actual draw 135W = 2.15$ per watt
Blackstar 180W - Advertised 180W actual draw 101W*(not on sheet, calculated using same factor of 1.77 = 2.17$ per watt

He also mentioned the Pro-Grow lights to me, these seem to be much closer to the actual real value. I am pushing more towards those myself. But I am waiting on the manufacturer for more details on the lights.
They have two kits that are around what you are looking at here.
The Pro-Grow 180W and 260W, 309$ & 409$, equals 2.05$ and 1.88$ per watt.


PD

 

[endive]

The Blackstar lamps are decent performers. The coverage claims by the ebay seller are fairly accurate, and though I can't say as to their claims of output & par, I have witnessed some nice grows with them.

The Blackstar 240 is roughly akin to a Pro-Grow 180, IMHO. With the Pro Grow 180, I can get a solid 3' x 2' with good penetration.

Pro-Grow 180 in a 3.25' x 2.25' tent​

The Pro-grow 260 can effectively cover up to 4 x 4 for veg, and 3.5 x 3 bloom.

PG-260 Veg & Auto garden, roughly 3.5' x 3.5'.
​

I wouldn't go much closer than 14 - 16" in bloom, and 18 - 24 in veg.



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