Looking to buy marshydro LEDs ?help

az2000 said:

I've always said: if efficiency doesn't matter, 70-90w/sq ft with a Mars doesn't matter. The problem is when the Mars users object to that comparison. They want to believe they're doing something efficient.

Then others who are concerned about efficiency see massive grows on YouTube and buy Mars (without realizing the video they saw used 70-90w/sq ft).

When that's pointed out, we get the helpful hecklers chiming in with a "nobody should care about efficiency."

Good luck with what you do.

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Wel thanks to LED and the fuckery with calling a unit 1000 watt other then actual draw wattage ,, Personally i think most growers tend to think wow 350 bucks for a mars 900 watt and then think there going to pull amazing results when in fact its probably like 430 - 450 actual watt draw so in 3.5 x 3.5 space its probably less then 35 watts per Sq Foot And that is where people get upset with final yields or say its junk when they pull .5 - .8 grams per
300 - 350 dry grams in yield ??
don't quote me on that so then people say its garbage ..
but 2 of them in a 4 x 4 area then look the hell out i would think 840 watts i am guessing
???? 52 watts per Sq foot and now its a different ball game

but for most why they went to LED cause of heat , Don't kid your self even a efficient cob same amount of power same space after 18 hrs of veg or 12 hrs of Flower she will be cooking in there as well

I hope that I am doing the right thing on this forum, I have never offered a post or a review but I though that the community should know about my experience with the Mars 2 900 and the 2 people I dealt with to get my light delivered.
I ordered the light based on the written statements from a lady named Sara from the Mars company on this and other boards. When I got the unit the first impression is that the unit was well built and sturdy, to be honest I was impressed. But what I quickly noticed was that the switch to go from veg to flower wasn't there. This was stated by Sara on another post, that all of the Mars 2 lights now come with the switch, this is important to me as I have very limited space and money. I know that there is no such thing as the perfect single light but I am hoping to get as close as I can get. I got in touch with Mars to let them know that there was a problem and I was told that the switched lights were only available in certain countries, (not mentioned anywhere during the ordering process) and the switched lights are specifically not available in Canada where I live (again not mentioned anywhere). And what really made me upset was that they do not have a return or exchange policy so if you get the wrong item you the purchaser are screwed and they get to keep your money. Out of desperation I offered to pay the return shipping on the unit and buy a larger more expensive light but all they offered was a discount on another purchase with them. They tried to convince me that the light was good for all stages of growth and I would be happy with the light. I asked them that if the light was perfect for grow and veg then why do they have lights that switch, there was no response.
Being stuck with the light I did indeed use it and the results were as I expected and as noted by other folks in this forum and others, the grow stage looked good, I got strong looking plants, stunning color and generally healthy plants. The flowering stage was heartbreaking about 2 grams per plant (just 4 plants in a 3x3 area).
I grow because I cant afford the medical MJ because my condition needs several grams per day depending on the day and I really wanted to put away the HID lights due to the operating cost. I have been growing for a long time, I am not a professional grower just a guy growing his own medicine, I have never seen yields so low in dirt or hydro (2 Ak 47 2 White Widow, one each in dirt and hydro).
I know that from time to time even the best and most advanced growers can have issues with a grow and things go wrong but honestly nothing like this.
As I said there seems to be some good points with the Mars lights but as always be careful who you deal with, I have not run across a company that wont at least do an exchange when a customer has a concern.

2 grams per plant?

I am not even going to attempt to figure out how you managed that, especially since a table lamp can grow more than that.

2nd, you don't even know why LEDs have veg and bloom switches?


By the sounds of it, it doesn't matter if you had a mars or a 2000 dollar kind led, you're results would've have been any different.

I mean, 2 grams per plant, 4 plants in 3x3.......I know 100% with certainty that the mars had nothing to do with that.

steve the dry guy said:

The flowering stage was heartbreaking about 2 grams per plant (just 4 plants in a 3x3 area).
I grow because I cant afford the medical MJ because my condition needs several grams per day depending on the day and I really wanted to put away the HID lights due to the operating cost.

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A 450w (50w/sq ft) is about right for Mars. People tend to run 50-60. Some grows considered "wall of fame" run at 90w/sq ft. (Obviously, pretty bad if you have to generate that much light and heat.).

But, you should have gotten more than 8g from a 3x3 tent. I would have said 100g (1/5th of what you'd get from adequate lighting).

We try to warn people about these lights -- and are accused of "elitism" in return. Sorry you were misled by the enthusiasts (who don't want the facts about their lights to be discussed).

steve the dry guy said:

This was stated by Sara on another post, that all of the Mars 2 lights now come with the switch,

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MarsHydro had a "Mars" light which used 3w diodes. When they switched to 5w they called it MarsII (and renamed "Mars" to the clever name: "Old Model.").

It appears they have released a new MarsII, but not renamed it MarsIII. They sell the original MarsII on eBay at discount prices, and the new MarsII on their website.

It's confusing. You probably read about the new model having a switch, and didn't realize there are two different MarsII's.

The fanboys will call you an elitist for expecting a switch.

MarsHydro has a support forum on 420Mag. Did you discuss your experience there? I'm curious how you would be treated (if they would silence you). It's probably not worth the bad vibes.

If you have some DIY skills you could make a very efficient COB. Or, replacing your HPS bulb with CMH would be better than MarsII (run at the typical 70w/sq ft).

There's 2 models of the mars 300.

The old and new. Old uses 3w diodes, is smaller, and seems to be the one everyone hates. The new model is slightly bigger and uses 5w diodes. Everyone I know or have talked to that uses the newer model has the opposite experience of those using the older model.

There is no mars2 300 model. The smallest is the marsII 400. For one, it's black, not white, and has veg/bloom switch.

I haven't seen any marsII models that were not black and without a switch.

superbak3d said:

The old and new. Old uses 3w diodes, is smaller, and seems to be the one everyone hates.

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I'm pretty sure everyone hates all of them (unless you like running 70-90w/sq ft to do what others do with half that power.). Do you have a link to the 3w model? Haven't seen that in a long time. They called it the "Old Model" but it was the original Mars. The last time I saw it, it was in a red case.

superbak3d said:

There is no mars2 300 model. The smallest is the marsII 400. For one, it's black, not white, and has veg/bloom switch.

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I'm seeing how you arrived at your choice of MarsHydro. See this Mars2 300 model. That is what they were selling on their website last year. I don't believe it has a veg/flower switch.

That's what I was saying is so confusing about MarsHydro's random product line. (There are Mars2's and then there are Mars2's. And then fanboys insisting that's not the case.). It's like word salad. Mars2 is spected at 34w/sq ft. But, if you pay for the "Pro" edition, it is spec'ed at 50w/sq ft. Paying more to burn more electricity like the professionals who buy TWO Mars2s to run 70w/sq ft (after disappointment with the spec'ed power.).

It's funny except for the people wasting their money on this stuff.

az2000 said:

I'm pretty sure everyone hates all of them (unless you like running 70-90w/sq ft to do what others do with half that power.). Do you have a link to the 3w model? Haven't seen that in a long time. They called it the "Old Model" but it was the original Mars. The last time I saw it, it was in a red case.



I'm seeing how you arrived at your choice of MarsHydro. See this Mars2 300 model. That is what they were selling on their website last year. I don't believe it has a veg/flower switch.

That's what I was saying is so confusing about MarsHydro's random product line. (There are Mars2's and then there are Mars2's. And then fanboys insisting that's not the case.). It's like word salad. Mars2 is spected at 34w/sq ft. But, if you pay for the "Pro" edition, it is spec'ed at 50w/sq ft. Paying more to burn more electricity like the professionals who buy TWO Mars2s to run 70w/sq ft (after disappointment with the spec'ed power.).

It's funny except for the people wasting their money on this stuff.

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Yea, that's not a mars2. That's the new 300 version.

Mars2 are black.

mars pro costs less than a go green 200w yet has a higher output. Mars pro has a nearly 400 watt draw in bloom mode.

It would be nice if someone around here had a grow journal using one of the mars pros with cree lights.

superbak3d said:

Yea, that's not a mars2. That's the new 300 version.

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LOL. That looks like last year's Mars2 (which was 300w, 140w actual). And, this years Mars2's look like the "new" versions.

Are we playing Three-Card Monte?

superbak3d said:

mars pro costs less than a go green 200w yet has a higher output.

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That's good, because you obviously need more output. Buying cheap output is good when you need 70-90w/sq ft. Right? Is anyone disputing that? It's just a matter of whether that's a "good thing" to have to run that kind of power.

You can buy two Mars2's (not withstanding whether we're talking about the new Mars2, or the old Mars2, or the "New 300 model" which was last year's model. Or, the "old model" which you call Mars2), or one Pro model. Either way it's the watts you need with Mars. It's just that the "Pro" model is more accurately spec'ed to say you need twice the power.

You can't buy this kind of comedy. Unless you're someone who didn't want to run 70w/sq ft and fell for the double-talk.

superbak3d said:

It would be nice if someone around here had a grow journal using one of the mars pros with cree lights.

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With "wall of fame" entries proclaiming "results, not rhetoric" at 90w/sq ft, you seem to be the only person who thinks that would be an interesting exercise.

Personally, I'd like to see a 70-90w/sq ft Mars against HID at 60w/sq ft. That might say something.

az2000 said:

A 450w (50w/sq ft) is about right for Mars. People tend to run 50-60. Some grows considered "wall of fame" run at 90w/sq ft. (Obviously, pretty bad if you have to generate that much light and heat.).

But, you should have gotten more than 8g from a 3x3 tent. I would have said 100g (1/5th of what you'd get from adequate lighting).

We try to warn people about these lights -- and are accused of "elitism" in return. Sorry you were misled by the enthusiasts (who don't want the facts about their lights to be discussed).



MarsHydro had a "Mars" light which used 3w diodes. When they switched to 5w they called it MarsII (and renamed "Mars" to the clever name: "Old Model.").

It appears they have released a new MarsII, but not renamed it MarsIII. They sell the original MarsII on eBay at discount prices, and the new MarsII on their website.

It's confusing. You probably read about the new model having a switch, and didn't realize there are two different MarsII's.

The fanboys will call you an elitist for expecting a switch.

MarsHydro has a support forum on 420Mag. Did you discuss your experience there? I'm curious how you would be treated (if they would silence you). It's probably not worth the bad vibes.

If you have some DIY skills you could make a very efficient COB. Or, replacing your HPS bulb with CMH would be better than MarsII (run at the typical 70w/sq ft).

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Thanks az2000, could you recommend a good step by step site for COB?
I am in the midst of communicating with Sara on the 420 site, I'm not expecting much to be honest, as they are a sponsor for the mag I expect that It will get shut down quick. I am sending her a private message first though just to see what happens.

I can't do much of an HID comparison cause my tent is a 2x2. It's a growlab60.

The best HPS light I could use in there without heat becoming a serious issue is the 150w AIO HPS. With that, my heat was at the max for the tent. 250 400 or 600 would most likely destroy my crops.

Hence why I am taking the LED route. I can squeeze far more power into a smaller area with much less heat.

If you can find a way for me to run a 400-600w HPS in a 2x2 without burning my plants, please let me know. A/C and extensive cooling is NOT an option.

steve the dry guy said:

Hence why I am taking the LED route. I can squeeze far more power into a smaller area with much less heat.

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Didn't you say a few days ago you were going to put 76+ w/sq ft of MarsHydro in that tent?

Hard to believe they would run cooler than a 250w HID (at 63w/sq ft.).

az2000 said:

Didn't you say a few days ago you were going to put 76+ w/sq ft of MarsHydro in that tent?

Hard to believe they would run cooler than a 250w HID (at 63w/sq ft.).

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My tent is at 72F with 1 mars300, and that's with very little cooling. I'm fairly confident I can control 2 of them.

With a single 150w HPS my tent was high 80s and I had to use a lot of fans. HPS cooks my tent. If I had a bigger tent then yea it opens up way more options.

I know I sound like a major mars promoter, but I am simply stating my experiences thus far. They don't run hot at all.

steve the dry guy said:

Thanks az2000, could you recommend a good step by step site for COB?

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I can't, I haven't done COB. But, I'm sure others here can help you spec your grow space and walk you through the parts you'll need, how to do it.

I use Cree lightbulbs from Home Depot because I'm just growing a plant or two at a time. I've had good results at just 21w/sq ft. You could easily do that with little DIY skill. Depends on how much you need to grow. These lights are feasible for a couple plants in a 4x2 space (maybe 5' tall).

steve the dry guy said:

I am in the midst of communicating with Sara on the 420 site, I'm not expecting much to be honest, as they are a sponsor for the mag I expect that It will get shut down quick. I am sending her a private message first though just to see what happens.

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I would play up how they contributed to the confusion with all the permutations of Mars2 being sold. You've already seen how even enthusiasts of MarsHydro can't untangle the models (last year's is "the new model" -- but doesn't have the switch like this year's new models.).

I'm curious what would happen if you told your story on the forum. If they'd shut you down. But, it's probably not worth the bad vibes to do that. You didn't lose a lot of money (it could have been much worse. You could have fallen for the rebranded epi-whatever lights like Kind, Lush, HydroGrowLED, Blackdog, Growblu. They sell for 3-4 times as much.). Best thing you can do is just move on and share your experience (don't mind the fanboys who defend 90w/sq ft "wall of fame" grows).

superbak3d said:

My tent is at 72F with 1 mars300, and that's with very little cooling. I'm fairly confident I can control 2 of them.

With a single 150w HPS my tent was high 80s and I had to use a lot of fans.

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It will be interesting to see how two Mars works. You're already defending MarsHydro before flowering with one. So, it's conceivable you're being similarly optimistic about what 76w/sq ft will feel like.

My friends have 2 of the k5 1000w panels, and my god those lights are absolute monsters.

az2000 said:

It will be interesting to see how two Mars works. You're already defending MarsHydro before flowering with one. So, it's conceivable you're being similarly optimistic about what 76w/sq ft will feel like.

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I just started 3rd week of flower.

steve the dry guy said:

The flowering stage was heartbreaking about 2 grams per plant (just 4 plants in a 3x3 area).

I grow because I cant afford the medical MJ because my condition needs several grams per day depending on the day and I really wanted to put away the HID lights due to the operating cost. I have been growing for a long time, I am not a professional grower just a guy growing his own medicine, I have never seen yields so low in dirt or hydro (2 Ak 47 2 White Widow, one each in dirt and hydro).

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I'm curious. Since you have HID, how much experience do you have? To what extent could your skills have contributed to that low yield? I mean: do you really believe it was the light, or is it possible it was you? (Are you able to tell the difference?).

I don't think MarsHydro lights are that bad (especially at the 50w/sq ft you were running, not the spec'ed coverage MarsHydro provides). It either has to be a bad light or you don't have as much skill as I'm assuming you do if you have HIDs?

If you can get decent yields with another light, then I totally agree. MarsHydro should take the light back (not even an exchange).

But, honestly, I think you'd be better off putting a CMH All-Start bulb in your MH-capable HID, or doing COBs (or 30w/sq ft of the lightbulbs if you're doing 2x2 to 2x4 space, shorter 2.5' tall plants.).

Yes I am aware of the slight N tox.

superbak3d said:

Yes I am aware of the slight N tox.

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I hope it works. I'm not opposed to an inexpensive LED capable of producing T5HO/CMH results at similar power levels. Maybe the new model is improved in some way (for example, the 2014 news that China was implementing higher standards to fix the bad reputation their LED industry had created.).

Typically, 38w/sq ft (I forget, but I think that's what you're running) produces air buds. You won't know until they start filling out. (The pictures you're showing now don't prove anything, yet. But, I hope you have a different experience than those who have to run 60-90w.).

Here's a few from my last run. Same tent, under single 250w CFL.

So technically I could say I am comparing a 250w CFL to a mars300 (new edition). But then again, 3 plants vs 1, and different genetics.