Budget lights?

Hi,
I've done a good amount of research on lights and I can't seem to get a straight answer, I'm trying to build a grow room for 6 or less plants and can't seem to decide on lights. Every light I see that's suggested and has pretty good reviews also has some pretty shit reviews, I'm thinking about going the LED route but I'm unsure as I'm trying to spend less then 120 on them, I'm trying to steer away from cfl lights and the cheapest hps lights I could find were 140, I'm in the US can anyone suggest cheap lights they've had good luck with? Can I trust ebay for lights? Thanks!

For 6 plants, the results you will get with $120 worth of lighting will only disappoint you. Others may say different, but if I were you I would invest in Quantum boards, but that depends on how much space you have. Do a search on this site for Quantum boards, nothing but great reviews. One of these boards I'm no expert, but I wouldn't waste time looking at anything other than DIY COB solutions.

Buy hps you can get a 600 wt and you will be pleased

Led are exspensive if you get hps for that 120 youl get way bigger yeild if you buy a led it wont be big enough

ChefKimbo said:

For 6 plants, the results you will get with $120 worth of lighting will only disappoint you. Others may say different, but if I were you I would invest in Quantum boards, but that depends on how much space you have. Do a search on this site for Quantum boards, nothing but great reviews. One of these boards I'm no expert, but I wouldn't waste time looking at anything other than DIY COB solutions.

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The threads here for QB boards are awesome. The poster or OP should avoid any amazon or ebay reviews of Chinese LEDs. All BS

I had a mars 300 led i traded it for dabs guess thats the cheap china shit your talking about

throwdo said:

Led are exspensive if you get hps for that 120 youl get way bigger yeild if you buy a led it wont be big enough

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Can you suggest a specific one? cheapest one I can find on amazon is by Apollo, costs $145 and has some reviews saying it came with broken bulbs and the manufacturer wont respond until return date has past, I'm sure amazon would fulfill the return though.

MMJ Dreaming 99 said:

The threads here for QB boards are awesome. The poster or OP should avoid any amazon or ebay reviews of Chinese LEDs. All BS

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I'll do research on quantum boards, don't quite know what they are though.

Rick Sanchez 16 said:

I'll do research on quantum boards, don't quite know what they are though.

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https://www.rollitup.org/t/diy-with-quantum-boards.927159/

Northern Grow Lights. Stephen and Robin are the owners.

Old school 600w magnetic ballast, no need for digital dimmable if your on a budget. Stay away from cheap LEDs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydroponics-Growing-600w-watt-HPS-Grow-Light-Full-Kit-with-Metal-Vented-Ballast-/262336533770?hash=item3d1479d50a:g:IaoAAOSwZQxW6BIo

Edit if you cant stretch to those QBs above that is!

OP, your going in the opposite direction of sound logic, trust me.

What isn't being mention here is the operating cost of running HID lights. And if you are in a warm environment and need additional cooling, you may not be happy with your electric bill at the end of the month. Heat is a legit issue for me, so efficiency is the way to go. The QB boards are not Chinese shit I know Chinese shit I got one in my grow right now and cant wait to replace it.

ChefKimbo said:

OP, your going in the opposite direction of sound logic, trust me.

What isn't being mention here is the operating cost of running HID lights. And if you are in a warm environment and need additional cooling, you may not be happy with your electric bill at the end of the month. Heat is a legit issue for me, so efficiency is the way to go. The QB boards are not Chinese shit I know Chinese shit I got one in my grow right now and cant wait to replace it.

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I'm in California so normally heat isn't a problem but this is going in my garage and at night it can get to about 45f, haven't seen it go below that yet but I've only been checking for the past week. These quantum boards are still confusing, would I be building one? the most experience I have with building shit is my computer but that's pretty easy, I don't know if I'm up to the task. Would the 600 watt that coreywebster posted work well? again, don't know much about lights so I don't know if dimming matters or if that one will last me a long time. Thanks again

The plant we love requires a lot of good horticultural lighting to thrive. Saving money on lighting will inevitably cost on the results.

MichiganMedGrower said:

The plant we love requires a lot of good horticultural lighting to thrive. Saving money on lighting will inevitably cost on the results.

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what is that bud in your picture? I gotta grow some of that

I found a HPS light on ebay with the name "600 watt 600w Dimmable HPS MH Grow Light System Set Kit" (sorry, can't post links yet)
do you think this is worth it? I was going to go with coreywebsters idea but it's $25 shipping and ships from another country. Quantum boards seem a bit over my head

Rick Sanchez 16 said:

what is that bud in your picture? I gotta grow some of that

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Ch9 Black Widow X Blue Lemon Thai. Thanks for noticing . The breeder used that pic for his catalog and it may appear in the new Big Book of Buds.

It is original shantibaba white widow crossed with a CH9/ Motarebel deisel and lemon Thai hybrid.

Rick Sanchez 16 said:

I found a HPS light on ebay with the name "600 watt 600w Dimmable HPS MH Grow Light System Set Kit" (sorry, can't post links yet)
do you think this is worth it? I was going to go with coreywebsters idea but it's $25 shipping and ships from another country. Quantum boards seem a bit over my head

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If you will have issues keep temps up while lights are on, then HID maybe the way to go for you.

I can find 600w MH/HPS systems all day on ebay for right around $120 with a simple wing reflector with free shipping. If you need an air cooled reflector the price jumps another 30-40.
Are you in the US? First link that came up. Both bulbs included is 129 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1000W-600W-400W-Watt-MH-HPS-Grow-Light-Digital-Wing-System-Set-Kit-for-Ballast-/281782742087?var=&hash=item419b8f6c47:m:m8y-vpcPfEhVLP9Fhzvxt5Q

Rick Sanchez 16 said:

I found a HPS light on ebay with the name "600 watt 600w Dimmable HPS MH Grow Light System Set Kit" (sorry, can't post links yet)
do you think this is worth it? I was going to go with coreywebsters idea but it's $25 shipping and ships from another country. Quantum boards seem a bit over my head

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Ebay and Amazon have 1000 watt or 600 kits. You can get a light kit with both metal halide (veg) and HPS bulb for flower. You can also veg and flower with HPS bulb. Just adjust your hours. 24/0 or 18/6 for veg and 12/12 for flower. You can get a 600 watt setuo for $100 or so. Down the road you can look at QB boards. The 600 watt will keep your plants warm.

Rick Sanchez 16 said:

I found a HPS light on ebay with the name "600 watt 600w Dimmable HPS MH Grow Light System Set Kit" (sorry, can't post links yet)
do you think this is worth it? I was going to go with coreywebsters idea but it's $25 shipping and ships from another country. Quantum boards seem a bit over my head

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Those will definitely do the job but if you got a few more bucks add these as supplemental full spectrum lighting..43 watts per light 4 ft ( get a couple and use them for vegging clones after the harvest. $27