Small Grow. Which light?

thething

Member
I need a light for a 60cmx60cmx140cm tent.

I would like to use LED for the lifespan, temps and power consumption (assuming the claims are true)

I've boiled it down to a few options (you are welcome to suggest others, or non LED if you think they're rubbish, i'm all ears but what i buy must be available in the UK for next day delivery, and i don't want to have to build it myself)

Viparspectra Reflector/Meizi Reflector/Sygavled etc 300

Viparspectra Reflector/Meizi Reflector/Yaetek etc 450 (if they will be beneficial in such a small space, and not produce too much heat)

Or some cheap COB thing, like:

"LED Plant Growing Lamp BLOOMWIN 400w"

(paste into amazon, i can't post links)

I am totally lost and would appreciate help. If anyone has any of these units, along with the performance i would be very interested to know about the sound they produce, as keeping this as quiet as possible is a very high priority.

Thankyou.
 

thething

Member
As loud as it is in the video....
so, 2 feet away it is much quieter than a person speaking quietly? Is it equal to PC fans running at high RPM?

I am pretty much set on a 300 or 450 meizhi or viparspectra, or maybe a Mars II 400 if someone can justify spending nearly 100% more than for the Meizhi, but i need to know......

... Will a the "450"'s be too much heat for that small tent? Is it worth getting a 450 above a 300? for 60x60cm??
 

thething

Member
So guys, which light?
Bloomwin Cob 450w (paste into amazon)
vs
Meizhi 450

Viparspectra look good but Meizhi just pips them because they are considerably cheaper and slightly higher par values and slightly quieter.. but the spectrum and stats of this BLOOMWIN to my uneducated eye look to crush the Meizhi.. so should i go for that instead?
 

ChefKimbo

Well-Known Member
Those panels will give you heat issues in such a small space. Also you get no dimming, which is also important for a small space. Is DIY an option for you?
 

thething

Member
Those panels will give you heat issues in such a small space. Also you get no dimming, which is also important for a small space. Is DIY an option for you?
Hi
No, DIY sadly isn't an option right now.
Are you saying that any of the 450 versions will give heat issues or just the Bloomwin? The Meizhi is 192 watt.. do LED's give more heat than CFL then? Because i've grown in a slightly smaller space with 250w CFL without too much issue before.. Should i get the 300 Meizhi instead?
 

ChefKimbo

Well-Known Member
I guess it depends on ambient temps, grow space height and ventilation capacities. I run a Mars 600 in a 4sq ft short cabinet. I run aggressive ventilation on one side of the panel, and a 6 inch clip fan on the other side facing the vent. Lights on ambient temps range from 80-86F. Seems in these small spaces when you can't dim you have to make other adjustments like ventilation/ac, feed strength/waterings, etc. Cat and mouse. Thats why i would suggest for your space a single Quantum board or 2-3 single engine cobs, with the appropriate driver. It would require some basic wiring but, the benefits of higher efficiency and dimming far outweigh the diy aspect. Especially in those small areas. There is plenty of info here to help you along the way.
 

thething

Member
Thanks Chef.
May i ask where you live? Is it a particularly warm climate? The Mars is 260w, so, significantly more than 192. Also, as heat rises, a short cabinet will be difficult as much more of the heat will be compressed around plant level. How short are we talking about? If you could say whether LEDs are warmer or cooler, actual watt for actual watt, than CFLs, then it would be easy for me to judge the situation, having used CFL before. I'll look in to what you recommend but I wanted to start soon with the hope of pulling something by Christmas/New year.
 

ChefKimbo

Well-Known Member
In the South where its hot 9 months out of 12. My veg cab is 4 ft tall so heat must be removed as it rises. LEDs and CFLs put out the same amount of heat. But the scale of efficiency is what separates the newer LEDs from those panels and CFLs. You run less wattage but get great results, or you run same wattage and get awesome results. Higher efficiency lowers heat and kwh usage. You ran a 250w Cfl, you can run a Quantum board at ~100watts in that same space and it will blow that CFL away easy. Less heat/usage, better production.
 

thething

Member
South USA I am guessing? I want to get this going quickly so, tbh, i am happy to buy one of those lights i listed, perhaps use it for one or two grows while organising a quantum board. I am also planning to convert a cabinet for a super stealthy long term solution so perhaps in 6 months a Quantum would be a good solution for that. As it stands though, which light would you go for of the Meizhi or Bloomwin?

If the bloomwin doesn't show for you at amazon co uk then paste in /BLOOMWIN-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse-Vegetable/dp/B01MT8DYW1/
 
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