Light upgrade

TheCauf

Well-Known Member
So moving forward I want to switch from CFL to LED. I was wondering if a vivosun 1200w would be too much in a 3x3. I compared it to a Viparspectre 900w and the 900w actually puts out more light than the 1200w. Would that be too much or RIGHT on the line of just right/too much? Ideally I’d love to get a solar system 550 but 800 clams is a little steep right now
 

pulpoinspace

Well-Known Member
so you'd like to cover a 3x3, what is your max budget?

those chinese blurple lights use misleading marketing tactics. that 1200w light is not a 1200w light. in fact, they don't even tell you the actual power draw anywhere on that site. for that reason alone i would not buy that light or any light from that manufacturer, ever. i found in the Q&A that the 600w is drawing 270w. so the 1200w is probably actually around 500w.

so is that the right amount of light for a 3x3? well it is a little too much. you want 30-50 per sq foot of actual power draw, so 270w(hi efficiency LED)-450w(lo efficiency LED).

using $269 as a budget, you're only in the realm of a chinese light or a DIY. if you're open to DIY you can head over to the "LED and other Lighting" section and start reading. If not, well that light you've picked out WILL work. Just expect the drivers to take a shit after 1-2 grows, expect individual diodes to burn out, and expect the company in China to offer to fix it IF you pay to ship it ($$$$$$$) and wait literally half a year. if you cant increase the budget, well then youll have to roll the dice.

https://www.mars-hydro.com/led-grow-light/mars-sp-series-led-grow-light/buy-mars-sp-150-led-grow-lights-for-for-sale
here is a brand new chinese light that is affordable and efficient. this is the top of the line of cheap chinese grow lights imo. 2 of these would do well in a 3x3 and only cost ~$40 more than what you've selected and the only chinese grow light i would personally consider.

https://timbergrowlights.com/model-4vs/
here is an example of a light i would actually recommend. much more expensive, but uses high efficiency chips, high efficiency drivers with lifetime warranties, and warranties on the lamps themselves. American company in san diego.
Depending which country you are in there are probably cheaper options that are just as good.

Also, an upgrage to CMH or HPS would be a substantial step up from CFL and not require as large an investment as LED.
 

TheCauf

Well-Known Member
Max budget is about $300, I’ve been reading about LEDs for a bit now so Ik about the true watts of Chinese lights. This will only be my third grow so I’m not looking to drop a lot on a good light just yet. I’ve read mixed reviews about all Chinese lights, and at this point I’m looking for more of a bud quality than light quality although they go hand in hand. So would you say anything comparable to 600 watts of HID is too much for a 3x3?
 

pulpoinspace

Well-Known Member
its a lot. most people run 400w HID in a 3x3. but, if were talking about chinese marketing "compare to 600w HPS" well thats different. idk how chinese marketing people compare things.

i would look at true power draw an go for 400w.
 

TheCauf

Well-Known Member

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
What’s the heat output like on CMH? I’ve never even heard of them.
Its 315w, so warmer than a 250hps but cooler than a 400w.

They grow very nice frosty buds. The spectrum is nicer than HPS and they should shit all over a blurple LED of the same wattage.

There is a thread or two just for CMH on here if you use the search bar you will see what folks are doing with them.
They range in price. Like all things there are top end over priced ones and more affordable ones. There will be a difference between them but not the same sort of difference there is between top end LED and cheap LED.
Maybe look at vivosun 315 cmh. Im Not that familiar with all the brands you folks have over there as far as CMH or HPS ect.
 

diggs99

Well-Known Member
Its 315w, so warmer than a 250hps but cooler than a 400w.

They grow very nice frosty buds. The spectrum is nicer than HPS and they should shit all over a blurple LED of the same wattage.

There is a thread or two just for CMH on here if you use the search bar you will see what folks are doing with them.
They range in price. Like all things there are top end over priced ones and more affordable ones. There will be a difference between them but not the same sort of difference there is between top end LED and cheap LED.
Maybe look at vivosun 315 cmh. Im Not that familiar with all the brands you folks have over there as far as CMH or HPS ect.
lol Corey, i gotta tell ya bro, when i scroll down the main page and see your name as last posted in one of the sub sections, i instaclick it, this forum needs more people like you.

High as fuck and felt i should share this shit with you lol
 

BigDawg@1964

Active Member
So moving forward I want to switch from CFL to LED. I was wondering if a vivosun 1200w would be too much in a 3x3. I compared it to a Viparspectre 900w and the 900w actually puts out more light than the 1200w. Would that be too much or RIGHT on the line of just right/too much? Ideally I’d love to get a solar system 550 but 800 clams is a little steep right now
 

BigDawg@1964

Active Member
Dude I put optic 1 led in my grow room and plants thriving, I was going to go with viparspectra but saw video on YouTube rating best led lights guy from migro that test grow lights, I got four of them from optic 1 and couldn't be happier four of the was 589.00 you can get them for 149.00 a piece no heat issues and don't bother your electricity bill that much, great grow light great price. Hope it helps
 

TheCauf

Well-Known Member
Dude I put optic 1 led in my grow room and plants thriving, I was going to go with viparspectra but saw video on YouTube rating best led lights guy from migro that test grow lights, I got four of them from optic 1 and couldn't be happier four of the was 589.00 you can get them for 149.00 a piece no heat issues and don't bother your electricity bill that much, great grow light great price. Hope it helps
Seed to stoned? Lol I saw that, it was tempting since they’re COBs but the price is just a little too much right now unfortunately. The CMH lights have peaked my interest though, the state I live in gets pretty hot and humid during the summer though so I’m concerned about that. If I could avoid having an extra AC that would be killer
 

BigDawg@1964

Active Member
Same, I'm going to add cmh right in the middle of those optic ones, I can pull it off in fall and winter but heat issues would get me in summer months, but I think that will be a great light setup, I'm impressed with optic through I switched from burpurple the white light in my experience is so much better, guess that's alot to do with popularity of CMH and MH for years, Cobb's are the best route for me anyway.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Oy, where do I start?

On the stated budget, go with 315W CMH.

Once you have actual money to spend on a nice light, upgrade to Timber or HLG. HLG will steer you right and they have a solid reputation for standing behind their gear.
 

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
lol Corey, i gotta tell ya bro, when i scroll down the main page and see your name as last posted in one of the sub sections, i instaclick it, this forum needs more people like you.

High as fuck and felt i should share this shit with you lol
lol thanks. When I log in and see my name on every thread I feel like I need to get out more or learn to type less.
But im glad at least you can see my intentions are good.
I just want people to have a successful grow. :bigjoint:
 
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