First Time Grower | Small Indoor Tent Grow | Advice Needed

iROLLDROBRO

Well-Known Member
Im limited on space at the moment, but plan on expanding to a better/bigger grow tent/room in the future.

For the time being Ill be using a 27"x27"x63" tent.
PrimeGarden 4" inline fan + carbon filter ducting combo kit
Planning to use COCO Coir + perlite

What light/lighting combo would you advice? I know since my space isnt very big, I wont be able to grow many plants at once. Maybe just 1? But this is my first grow and even with 1 plant Im not sure if just 1 good light over the top is sufficient or would it be best to have 2 or 3 different fixtures on the sides as well?
 

Couch_Lock

Well-Known Member
In an area of that size a single CMH light would be plenty. They provide UV and IR light also. HPS + MH lights are cheaper but are getting outdated.....the newest LED's (Quantum boards), Cob Cree's are also very good.....a bit pricey initially but very efficient to use.
 

MCM8

Well-Known Member
I run quantum 260w LED at 50% power and had pretty solid success growing two smallish plants in 3 gallon pots. They are pricey, but worth the investment for lower running costs.
 

iROLLDROBRO

Well-Known Member
In an area of that size a single CMH light would be plenty. They provide UV and IR light also. HPS + MH lights are cheaper but are getting outdated.....the newest LED's (Quantum boards), Cob Cree's are also very good.....a bit pricey initially but very efficient to use.
I run quantum 260w LED at 50% power and had pretty solid success growing two smallish plants in 3 gallon pots. They are pricey, but worth the investment for lower running costs.
Yea, I was lookin into a Quantum Board. Not trying to go best quality in every aspect, but I feel like a nice QB or 2 would still be good and usable even when I upgrade my setup.

What do you guys think on # of plants? Probably just one? Two tops?
Should I look into any certain strain? Maybe one that typically grows in a way that would fill up my limited space?
 

Couch_Lock

Well-Known Member
Its the quantum board owners trying to justify money they spent.

I didn't push any type of lighting at all... Just mentioned the 3 types available.
 

iROLLDROBRO

Well-Known Member
Its the quantum board owners trying to justify money they spent.

I didn't push any type of lighting at all... Just mentioned the 3 types available.
I just liked everything Ive read about the QB's as far as efficiency, longevity, no heat etc etc
 

GentleCaveman

Well-Known Member
Its the quantum board owners trying to justify money they spent.

I didn't push any type of lighting at all... Just mentioned the 3 types available.
I don't have a quantum board, wish I did. But I got 3 H_inFlux L09's that I'm waiting for driver to run. It was 90 bucks including shipping from US to Europe. So expensive, right? It's 2019, stop being old and growing with gas candles.

1000w HPS = < 1.7μmol/j < lm301b based lights = 3.0 to 2.59 μmol/j

It's that easy. You can keep payin extra bills for your little ovens because its 'MERICA! But no 'MERICA! for us. So please keep that in mind while giving someone suggestions.

I love how you guys argue that HID is cheaper too. Which is only argument you guys have against full spectrum leds. That's my favorite. Yeah it's cheaper until you come home to plug it in once lol. There should be a sound effect that goes like "congratulations, you played yourself" when you plug your HID in for first time.
 
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GentleCaveman

Well-Known Member
Whats the significance of those particular diodes? Thanks for sharing the information
Their significance is being best light ever created till today. It can change in few months, but that doesn't mean HID is better because they don't change. Even the outdated diodes are doubling or tripling HID lights as far as efficiency goes. HID lights doesn't have any magical powers that makes them better. Any light that's pulling 1000watts gonna work. I don't understand what's so suprising about that. Since their color rendering index is same, spectrum is same, all you need to consider is efficiency. So there you go.
 
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GentleCaveman

Well-Known Member
The dual CMH lit grows on here look better then QB grows. Thats why I bought two for a 4 x 4.
You forgot to add 'MERICA! in the end. Such a perfect post for that too.

Nothin for nothin, CMH lights are only type that I can tolerate in that group. Because of the UV and how nice your plants look under that spectrum. But still, if you use the same amount of watts to power lm301b's instead, you gonna get better results. Atleast you are not using HPS so that's cool.
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Whats the significance of those particular diodes? Thanks for sharing the information
The Samsung lm301b's are some of the best commonly available for efficacy/efficiency. lm561C are also very good. 30-35w/square foot gets it done.

http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/
https://diyleduk.com/
https://atreumlighting.com
https://true-northern-lighting.myshopify.com
https://growerslights.com/collections/horticulture-lighting-group-quantum-board-led-kits
 
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1212ham

Well-Known Member
Yea, I was lookin into a Quantum Board. Not trying to go best quality in every aspect, but I feel like a nice QB or 2 would still be good and usable even when I upgrade my setup.
Absolutely, a good long term investment.

BTW, 1 watt = 3.42 BTU, so all lights make the same amount of heat per watt. The difference is, a light with double the efficacy produces the same light with half the power, half the power makes half as much heat.

If your grow is in a cold area, CMH might be better. LED has no infrared heating the plant, so best temps with LED are higher, lower 80's F or 27-29C.
 
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PercyGrows

Member
Samsung are releasing their new diodes in the coming weeks/months so LM301b will be outdated regardless. They are, however, the most efficient diodes on any QB at the moment. I picked up 3 QB's from Invisible Sun LED last year on black friday and I'll be using them for my first grow (coming soon).

I'm also super new here and have never used any thread pages like this before, so hello fellow growers.
 

YouGrowYourWay

Well-Known Member
Hello Percy! I've been wanting to go quantum for some time but haven't had the time to really sit down and do the research. Keep us posted when you put them to use. I'm using 3 r300 viparspectra rn in a 2x4 tent they're okay I guess...lol
 

PercyGrows

Member
Hello Percy! I've been wanting to go quantum for some time but haven't had the time to really sit down and do the research. Keep us posted when you put them to use. I'm using 3 r300 viparspectra rn in a 2x4 tent they're okay I guess...lol
I had one of those for when I started the grow, but I've done so much research now that I understand exactly what spectral range I need and what each colour range is used for by the plant. So I had to get a full spectrum QB. I'm just waiting for the bank to get back to me as I'm currently buying my first house. Once I'm in there I'll be looking to set up ASAP and will be taking regular pics and details (kind of like a plant journal) as I have started a 'Collective' with a few lads from around the UK and 2 of them are new to growing too.
 

iROLLDROBRO

Well-Known Member
The dual CMH lit grows on here look better then QB grows. Thats why I bought two for a 4 x 4.
Theres so many variables that could attribute to those outcomes though, so I dont feel like judging a grow solely based on lights used is a fair assessment?

I mean an experienced grower could probably get better yields than me (Newbie) with using hanging flashlights as their light source :weed: haha
Absolutely, a good long term investment.

BTW, 1 watt = 3.42 BTU, so all lights make the same amount of heat per watt. The difference is, a light with double the efficacy produces the same light with half the power, half the power makes half as much heat.

If your grow is in a cold area, CMH might be better. LED has no infrared heating the plant, so best temps with LED are higher, lower 80's F or 27-29C.
Thanks for your input :clap:
 
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