Any thoughts on this 8 COB panel layout?

I have been messing around with a COB panel design using Vero 18s. I have a 5 COB version built, but I believe I am changing my plans and going to an 8 COB version for 2 plants.

The plan, which will probably change, is to use CFLs for vegging, and then throw this up. I have also toyed with the idea of using switches to turn some COBs on and off.

My COBs will be screwed to the heat sinks, and the PICO-EZMATE power harness should make it easy enough to change COBs if I want a different spectrum.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Nice design..really similar to what I'll be putting together. I'd go just 3000k on the outside, unless you already have the 3500k, then I wouldn't worry about it. Probably not much of a difference in the performance of the two. I'd also spread the 5000k out just a bit...like half a square...just to better match the spread of light of the outside cobs.

In fact that's pretty much my exact design..lol. Eventually I'll mix some reds and violet into the design. I think it'll work sweet. That's the colors I've been running minus the reds/violet and it's been working great.

Positivity said:

Nice design..really similar to what I'll be putting together. I'd go just 3000k on the outside, unless you already have the 3500k, then I wouldn't worry about it. Probably not much of a difference in the performance of the two. I'd also spread the 5000k out just a bit...like half a square...just to better match the spread of light of the outside cobs.

In fact that's pretty much my exact design..lol. Eventually I'll mix some reds and violet into the design. I think it'll work sweet. That's the colors I've been running minus the reds/violet and it's been working great.

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Haha. I actually have another drawing with the 5000k COBs spread out like you mentioned.

The only major thing..

If your not going to supplement reds I'd just go all 3000k. Get as much red flower power in there as possible..

Positivity said:

The only major thing..

If your not going to supplement reds I'd just go all 3000k. Get as much red flower power in there as possible..

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The reason for the 3500k is that I had read here that the Vero 3500k looked great for flowering after someone looked at the spectrum. Not sure which user stated that.

It would be no problem for me to switch the 3500s for 3000s.

Hopefully a few more peeps will jump in to give you some ideas. Personally I think a variety of spectrums will do well, you can always adjust colors as you go. Especially with cobs, not much work switching them out.

But if you want to get close to ideal right off the bat...then my vote goes 8 3000k. The low temp cobs seem to be producing the best when on their own with no extra red.

Positivity said:

Hopefully a few more peeps will jump in to give you some ideas. Personally I think a variety of spectrums will do well, you can always adjust colors as you go. Especially with cobs, not much work switching them out.

But if you want to get close to ideal right off the bat...then my vote goes 8 3000k. The low temp cobs seem to be producing the best when on their own with no extra red.

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How about 6x 3000k and 2x 3500k in place of the 2x 5000k? I like some variety.

I'm going 6 3000k 2 4500k cree cxa 3070. Going to run it all white at first and see what happens. Most likely I'll be adding reds a little at a time to tighten it up.

Uncharted territory right now with colors and cobs, everyone's got their own spin on it. All you can do is look at the grow journals and find some examples you like..or go off on your own..I tend to do that

Good luck on the project. Would love to see it when it's done!

Honestly, I would only use 2700k or 3000k LEDs. They have a lot more Red and orange than the 5000k which have more green.

Positivity said:

I'm going 6 3000k 2 4500k cree cxa 3070. Going to run it all white at first and see what happens. Most likely I'll be adding reds a little at a time to tighten it up.

Uncharted territory right now with colors and cobs, everyone's got their own spin on it. All you can do is look at the grow journals and find some examples you like..or go off on your own..I tend to do that

Good luck on the project. Would love to see it when it's done!

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Understood. Just finishing up a grow, but won't be able to start the next until late June. Will for sure post pics when the project is put together.

I will be upgrading from CFLs.

Guys please realize that the Vero family is very warm, warmer than Cree by about 500K
Vero 3500K ~= CXA 3000K
Vero 4000K ~= CXA 3500K

The Vero 3000K is too warm already. I experimented with Vero 3000K and plants stretch fast under it; There simply is not enough blue light present. For Vero I would not go lower than 3500K. My favorite is 4000K.

MrFlux said:

Guys please realize that the Vero family is very warm, warmer than Cree by about 500K
Vero 3500K ~= CXA 3000K
Vero 4000K ~= CXA 3500K

The Vero 3000K is too warm already. I experimented with Vero 3000K and plants stretch fast under it; There simply is not enough blue light present. For Vero I would not go lower than 3500K. My favorite is 4000K.

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Ah, you may be the individual I read that from earlier. Thanks for your feedback.