Upgrading Mars Hydro to QB 288 v2

I'm on day12 of veg with my first grow. Next week I'm replacing my Mars Hydro Pro II Epistar 120 600W (product name, actual wattage is 265W) with a QB 288 v2.

The Mars is 18" from the top of my plant today. According to the PAR readings provided by the manufacturer the center of the light is 541 μmol. The QB PAR output is 500 μmol at 24". I want to minimize the amount of stress caused to the plant as much as possible. Is my best method to install the QB at 24" or should I go a bit higher because of the move to a while light from a red/blue.

Also, note that while the Mars has switches for VEG and BLOOM I've always had both switches turned on- so we are talking about 265W actual while using their "full spectrum".


Thanks!

.RootDown said:

I'm on day12 of veg with my first grow. Next week I'm replacing my Mars Hydro Pro II Epistar 120 600W (product name, actual wattage is 265W) with a QB 288 v2.

The Mars is 18" from the top of my plant today. According to the PAR readings provided by the manufacturer the center of the light is 541 μmol. The QB PAR output is 500 μmol at 24". I want to minimize the amount of stress caused to the plant as much as possible. Is my best method to install the QB at 24" or should I go a bit higher because of the move to a while light from a red/blue.

Also, note that while the Mars has switches for VEG and BLOOM I've always had both switches turned on- so we are talking about 265W actual while using their "full spectrum".


Thanks!

Click to expand...

Actually, run it about 6-12" away and dim to about 25-50%. That's what you want to do. Get that early growth TIGHTENED UP so when it gets big and stretches, you have just branch upon branch and not 4-12" of main stem inbetween each one. That shits lame.

Grats on the upgrade bro. You should hack your Mars and build a better light with the components to add in there too. Maybe something that encircles your new QB?
The reds and blues in it are actually GREAT to add to your more powerful white LED, but they're in such a tight space inside that case, they aren't being utilized. Pull it all out and spread it out either by reusing the heatsinks if possible, or buying some new ones that will fit the application you're going for.
Shit, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a nice juicy meanwell driver in there you could power some strips with if nothing else.

Right on, I forgot that driver has a dimmer function! That's the way I'll run it then.
My current node spacing is about an inch, topped a few days ago.

I like your thoughts on hacking the Mars, but the wife only allowed the upgrade when I told her I'd be able to get about $200USD for it. Since the QB was on sale the upgrade was only going to cost $130. Otherwise the Mars has only been used for a month and she was going to make me roll with it. Happy wife, happy life!
Also, I assume there's a such thing as "overkill", I should have mentioned my grow area is only 2x2.5'

You won't have to spend much of anything if at all if you just spread out the Mars like I said. Use all that's in there. See, here's my ecosunlite I turned into this by adding 6 more cobs and one driver.
Granted, I had heatsinks made in China for me for it, but all of those with shipping, was only $140.