The comeback. (HLG or SF4000)

Hello all RIU users!

I am a grower from the northen EU who recently got back into growing after about 7 years, the reasons being raid,kids,moving house,more kids,life.

However here i am, i was a member of a small EU board which no longer exists and i have been looking around for a new place to call home and preferably a place with reasonable adults like myself and as little drama as possible, even though i very well know the drama can be hard to avoid online.

In past i have had a decent amount of different growtent sizes and lights from 250-600w hps and various LEDs amongst those, a hgl penetrator and some different mars hydro, needless to say i have not really been satisfyed with the results of the LEDs and i have always ended back up with my 600w hps, but its been a while since i was really "active", my current grow is a 600w hps and i really want to get back into LED after this run.

I was looking around and the amount of information, advertising and number of products is so overwhelming that i really cant seem to decide what to to so, well i have an idea but i guess i want to get confirmation from people who know alot more than me about growing and LEDs and it seems there are quite a few here.

My tent is about 4.5x.4.5ft and the 2 lights i have been looking at are the HLG 260w quantumboard v2 rspec vs the spiderfarmer sf4000

My main idea after looking around was the SF4000, i have seen alot of videos and pictures of grows which had very good results but my concerns are the lifespan of the lights and customerservice/advertising on mail and on various forums, ive seen reps from spiderfarmer post broken english answers which mostly looked like google translate or auto answers, that gives me bad memorys of mars hydro times and i am not sure i want to take the risk, pros are the good results ive found and the mid range price.

HLG 260w quantumboard v2 rspec, when i asked a friend who uses LED he said "HLG" So i went and checked it out but got spooked abit by the prices compared to the spiderfarmer and the fact that you have to build the board yourself, however after watching a video of it, it seems very simple and once i started to look into getting 2 x 260w rspec instead of the 550 i originally looked at to compare it to the SF4000, then the pricejump aint that big. Pros, two boards instead of one which means better spread, more wattage in total, can be repaired by myself and spareparts are available, owner seems to be active on this forum and seems to be very responsive and customer service should be great. Cons, price? And please dont call me a dumbass, but i really cant seem to find many logs,pictures or videos of HLG buds, i am most likely not looking the right places or doing the search right so dont rek me please.


Conclusion, i should really just get 2 x 260w quantum boards for my tent and spend that little extra money to get a better quality product.

Any ideas or comments are very much apriciated!

I'm in a similar situation with a 3x3 tent. I'm deciding between 1x260w or 2x135w HLG QBs. Another user mentioned that having the 2 lights instead of the one you have more control over different light heights. Plus, I think you'll have more versatility in the future, and a better light footprint.

TLDR, but based strictly on the title, get HLG not Mars.

Would you be prepared to do some very basic diy? Like screwdriver and pushin connectors? If so there are ways to get around high pricetags...

There are nice offerings at led-tech.de

If youre in a place with cold weather you may wanna think about CMH aswell.

Ive been addicted to HLG since the first boards. So much so I use HLG for lighting my garage and my gun safe and made some shop lights.

BeavTek said:

I'm in a similar situation with a 3x3 tent. I'm deciding between 1x260w or 2x135w HLG QBs. Another user mentioned that having the 2 lights instead of the one you have more control over different light heights. Plus, I think you'll have more versatility in the future, and a better light footprint.

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Hello and thank you for the reply, i agree that having two lights will allow you follow the canopy more and same with the footprint, however i am also aware that there are minimum light requirements pr sqft, but ive learned that i personally would rather have a big growspace and get some airflow around rather than packing it up and i do like my girls being big.

PJ Diaz said:

TLDR, but based strictly on the title, get HLG not Mars.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply, i have read that some people claim SF is actually mars hydro, i dont know if it is true but i will never buy mars again for sure, iam pretty set on getting myself some HLG unless something really good comes up, however they are not in stock in EU but it says in june so i guess that should mean very soon, i am also having a hard time finding some growlogs of the 260w quantum boards, could you possibly link me some or direct me?

Rocket Soul said:

Would you be prepared to do some very basic diy? Like screwdriver and pushin connectors? If so there are ways to get around high pricetags...

There are nice offerings at led-tech.de

If youre in a place with cold weather you may wanna think about CMH aswell.

Click to expand...

Hello and thank you for the reply, i can and will indeed do some diy if that can get me something better or equal at a lower price but i mustadmit i also like the fact that i can write to someone and get help if something goes wrong, but it seems the company you linked is german that calms me abit over it being something i had to order from china and deal with customer service and shipping costs/time, if that makes sense.. I will take some time to check it out, thank you again!

Rakin said:

Ive been addicted to HLG since the first boards. So much so I use HLG for lighting my garage and my gun safe and made some shop lights.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply, yet another one saying HLG so i guess its another +1 for them As i asked the previous guy who recommended them, can you direct me to some growlogs i can check out, for some reason i have a hard time finding them.

northenled said:

Hello and thank you for the reply, i agree that having two lights will allow you follow the canopy more and same with the footprint, however i am also aware that there are minimum light requirements pr sqft, but ive learned that i personally would rather have a big growspace and get some airflow around rather than packing it up and i do like my girls being big.


Thank you for the reply, i have read that some people claim SF is actually mars hydro, i dont know if it is true but i will never buy mars again for sure, iam pretty set on getting myself some HLG unless something really good comes up, however they are not in stock in EU but it says in june so i guess that should mean very soon, i am also having a hard time finding some growlogs of the 260w quantum boards, could you possibly link me some or direct me?


Hello and thank you for the reply, i can and will indeed do some diy if that can get me something better or equal at a lower price but i mustadmit i also like the fact that i can write to someone and get help if something goes wrong, but it seems the company you linked is german that calms me abit over it being something i had to order from china and deal with customer service and shipping costs/time, if that makes sense.. I will take some time to check it out, thank you again!


Thank you for the reply, yet another one saying HLG so i guess its another +1 for them As i asked the previous guy who recommended them, can you direct me to some growlogs i can check out, for some reason i have a hard time finding them.

Click to expand...

If you were in the US, and with a longing for HLG gear id rec the following for a 4.5' squared tent with reflective walls:
One HLG600-54A or AB driver/power supply and
4-8 qb96 depending on how spendy you feel (theyre 62$ each after RIU10 discount code).
You could also chose 2x hlg320-54A (or AB) power supplies and same amount of qb96.
They will need approx 2 feet hanging height iirc, depending on how many you go for and how hard you drive them. More with less wattage is allways better.

They are a good way of achieving:
- good spread with many single boards instead of just 2 double boards. Cant stress spread too much, most leds fail here.
- Red supplemented spectrum and good efficiency, especially if you opt for more qbs.
- good price: 62$ for a unit that can do 160w with no extras other than hanging and power supply.

Now being in the eu theres shipping and all sorts of taxes so maybe its not the same.

If you compare to led tech: you need at least 4 of their boards to get something similar to the qb96 setup.

Theres also stuff from @diyled in the UK, have a special look at the High Light UV boards, but they sell out very quickly so not sure on stock.

Which northern EU? Theres a definite Scando smell on this one... Left that place long ago but still love to visit.

Rocket Soul said:

If you were in the US, and with a longing for HLG gear id rec the following for a 4.5' squared tent with reflective walls:
One HLG600-54A or AB driver/power supply and
4-8 qb96 depending on how spendy you feel (theyre 62$ each after RIU10 discount code).
You could also chose 2x hlg320-54A (or AB) power supplies and same amount of qb96.
They will need approx 2 feet hanging height iirc, depending on how many you go for and how hard you drive them. More with less wattage is allways better.

They are a good way of achieving:
- good spread with many single boards instead of just 2 double boards. Cant stress spread too much, most leds fail here.
- Red supplemented spectrum and good efficiency, especially if you opt for more qbs.
- good price: 62$ for a unit that can do 160w with no extras other than hanging and power supply.

Now being in the eu theres shipping and all sorts of taxes so maybe its not the same.

If you compare to led tech: you need at least 4 of their boards to get something similar to the qb96 setup.

Theres also stuff from @diyled in the UK, have a special look at the High Light UV boards, but they sell out very quickly so not sure on stock.

Which northern EU? Theres a definite Scando smell on this one... Left that place long ago but still love to visit.

Click to expand...

Hello!

Yes, had i been in us i would have had more options to buy from HLG direct, the tax costs i would end up ordering to the eu would be too much.

I have spend some hours since yesterday looking around on the diy thing and i must admit i think i will have to go for something "safe" to start with, i simply dont feel confident enough to make one myself for now and be able to deal with any issues i would face, i just dont know enough about leds at this time, so i think i will go for 2 x hlg 260w and then maybe in the future go the diy route.

Thank you very much for your inputs, the tips and have a nice sunday!

Yeah Scando indeed

northenled said:

Hello!

Yes, had i been in us i would have had more options to buy from HLG direct, the tax costs i would end up ordering to the eu would be too much.

I have spend some hours since yesterday looking around on the diy thing and i must admit i think i will have to go for something "safe" to start with, i simply dont feel confident enough to make one myself for now and be able to deal with any issues i would face, i just dont know enough about leds at this time, so i think i will go for 2 x hlg 260w and then maybe in the future go the diy route.

Thank you very much for your inputs, the tips and have a nice sunday!

Yeah Scando indeed

Click to expand...

In that case i sincerely recommend going for 4 single boards instead of the double boards: you wont have decent light in corners and sides with 2 x 260 kits in a 4.5x4.5. and even so you would be a bit light on wattage: around 25w per foot is a bit low wattage.

The amount of diy work is really the same: fit chips to heat sink with screws and connect the boards to power supply with pushin connectors and wagos easy connectors. This would be exactly the same either going for 260 kits, single boards or qb96. The kits do come with all things included though.
However you could do a 600w setup for the price of one of those 260 kits if standard supplies arent expensive locally (cables and aluminium profile for hanging)

Rocket Soul said:

In that case i sincerely recommend going for 4 single boards instead of the double boards: you wont have decent light in corners and sides with 2 x 260 kits in a 4.5x4.5. and even so you would be a bit light on wattage: around 25w per foot is a bit low wattage.

The amount of diy work is really the same: fit chips to heat sink with screws and connect the boards to power supply with pushin connectors and wagos easy connectors. This would be exactly the same either going for 260 kits, single boards or qb96. The kits do come with all things included though.
However you could do a 600w setup for the price of one of those 260 kits if standard supplies arent expensive locally (cables and aluminium profile for hanging)

Click to expand...

I understand what you are saying regarding the spread and i have therefore come the conclusion that i might wanna spend more than planned in the first place to get something that would fit my room better, however i am planning to buy premade light and have been looking at the lumatek zeus 600w pro.

I have no genuine reasons to pick that one besides its a well known brand that i like and ive used their digital ballasts always.

Its silly, but i have a good feeling.

Now i just need a discount code to diyled haha

The zeus should be great aswell. Swedo-landia?

Rocket Soul said:

The zeus should be great aswell. Swedo-landia?

Click to expand...

I hope so, but for that price i expect it to be great, i know i could probably build some crazy diy lamp for that amount of money, but the confidence is just not there, so for my stress levels its better to get something already done.

Just scando, due to earlier happenings i chose to play my cards tight.

I'm using 1 sf2000 and a single sf1000 in a 4x4 and so far have been extremely impressed with the results. completely new to the LED game so eventually plan on making my own boards and using the ones i got for veg.

Running HLG 620w DIY kit. Love the light. Also love the great customer service from HLG. In my limited dealings, a very trustworthy company. IIRC, the only LED company to have their lights tested by a 3rd party lab. Meanwhile, Mars and Spiderfarmer are trying to pull wool over the consumers eyes.

northenled said:

I understand what you are saying regarding the spread and i have therefore come the conclusion that i might wanna spend more than planned in the first place to get something that would fit my room better, however i am planning to buy premade light and have been looking at the lumatek zeus 600w pro.

I have no genuine reasons to pick that one besides its a well known brand that i like and ive used their digital ballasts always.

Its silly, but i have a good feeling.

Now i just need a discount code to diyled haha

Click to expand...

Welcome to RIU!!

northenled said:

I hope so, but for that price i expect it to be great, i know i could probably build some crazy diy lamp for that amount of money, but the confidence is just not there, so for my stress levels its better to get something already done.

Just scando, due to earlier happenings i chose to play my cards tight.

Click to expand...

Good lad, some paranoia is healthy...

I noticed you bought a HGL penetrator.

We got her banned from this site.

What was your experience with the evil creature and her magic lights?

EDIT, I felt dirty even typing that first sentence

northenled said:

I hope so, but for that price i expect it to be great, i know i could probably build some crazy diy lamp for that amount of money, but the confidence is just not there, so for my stress levels its better to get something already done.

Just scando, due to earlier happenings i chose to play my cards tight.

Click to expand...

Have you seen the other recent Lumatek offerings? Budget 465W and 465W Pro Compact.

coreywebster said:

I noticed you bought a HGL penetrator.

We got her banned from this site.

What was your experience with the evil creature and her magic lights?

EDIT, I felt dirty even typing that first sentence

Click to expand...

I bought it from china as far as i can remember, im not even sure what the site name was, dont think it was alibaba, it did not exist back then or had a different name, either way, it worked for vegging a few weeks and thats how far i got, something happened and i lost stuff.

end_of_the_tunnel said:

Have you seen the other recent Lumatek offerings? Budget 465W and 465W Pro Compact.

Click to expand...

Yes i have, i considered buying one of those at first but i would be lacking lights in my 4.5x4.5 room, so i believe the 600w pro will be a better match.

Ok, so ive finally decided that the lumatek 600w pro will be my choice, does anyone know of a discount code for diyled? Ive searched the forums and online but i cant really find one, im prepared to pay full price ofcourse, but one might aswell check for a discount if possible right.