Okay so my light literally just blew out I presume the ballast has died inside I've had it for about 4 years anyway I'm trying to decide if I'm just going to buy another one or if I can upgrade to an LED the t5 is 410w I believe or around there. I'm not trying to spend 500$ on my veg I already have a 680w led for flower that I just got
8 bulb x4' t5 died , led for veg?
- Thread starter stoobeey
- Start date
Bosgrower
Well-Known Member
Do you use the full 8x4 for veg?
There's no way a single fixture is going to give you reasonably even light over an 8x4 area ... that's a LOT of plants in veg.
There are numerous good lighting choices, but it really depends on how large a veg footprint you really need.
There's no way a single fixture is going to give you reasonably even light over an 8x4 area ... that's a LOT of plants in veg.
There are numerous good lighting choices, but it really depends on how large a veg footprint you really need.
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a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
Yea don't buy another T-5. Pretty sure 250-320 watts slaughter a 430 watt T-5 8 bulb. At least it did for me.
I veg in my spare closet so the size of the light works very well. I usually veg 4 gals at a time. Right now it's 1 auto in a 5gal (bit she'll get moved to the flower tent in next week or so when the other one finishes) then a nl clone and 4 seedlings that aren't feminized.
I don't have but about 2ft of depth in the closet so even a 3x3 isn't going to work well for me.
Building isn't out of question either tho I'd have to get a new soldering gun. Etc
The area is basically 4' x 2' the light is 4 ft w 8x54w bulbs
Bosgrower
Well-Known Member
I think 2 of these would make a great veg area for you for about $270
www.mars-hydro.com
Mars Hydro TS 1000 Full Spectrum Dimmable 150W LED Grow Light
www.mars-hydro.com
not bad, i started trying to google cob and strip builds as im down to spend 200 .. i would prefer to stay under 250 if possible.. considering i just dropped a bunch of my flower led and new exhaust lasta month...
Mars Hydro TS 1000 Full Spectrum Dimmable 150W LED Grow Light
Bosgrower
Well-Known Member
At your budget this is probably the best option for you even if it's a few dollars more. Also, no shipping or tax that I'm aware of. Try contacting Mary Ni at [email protected] She may be able to give you an additional discount. I don't use their lights but she discounted some tents for me.
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Bosgrower
Well-Known Member
This isn't a blurple and will do the job at about half the wattage
been hunting for a ballast all morning online. every one says it handles 2 or 4 , nothing handles 8 lamps, so i figure fuck it might as well semi ugrade and switchg to LED and save more power draw.
i already know not to buy a blurple . my flower led is growers choice 680.
pretty damn sure its the ballast, not a wire.. considering it made a huge pop this morning i initally thought was a breaker tripping, but was not
Bosgrower
Well-Known Member
osowhom
Well-Known Member
well is your fixture a 2 ballast it may be 2 4 lamp ballasts if thats the case the odds are they didnt both burn out did you open it up and look but yeah the led will save on electric so maybe it is time just shop carefully
lol thats what died
trying to find some help on or find builds of some samsung f series strips in the 4' format . i think either 2 or 3 is plenty, but all these builds for that size space are using 2' and 1' which makes no sense to me if i can buy 2 or 3 strips instead of 6 or 8. less bullshit to deal with
GrassBurner
Well-Known Member
qb288 bspec absolutely smokes it in my 2x3, bit overkill if you ask me. Haven't been able to turn it all the way up to 120 watts without plants complaining. Fixing to move the 288 to a 2x4 and see how it does. You can pick up 2 with a heatsink for under $200 from HLG, use the discount code riu10. Pick up a 240 watt driver and you're golden 
Its about the same price to buy 288s single, with single heatsinks. Will give you more options as far as spreading the light.
Its about the same price to buy 288s single, with single heatsinks. Will give you more options as far as spreading the light.