GroErr Grows...

Evil-Mobo

Well-Known Member
Lol, you're sounding like me talking myself into buying new stuff, it's a hobby, what's another $500? ;) Yeah only problem with the hooded setup is any of the hoods are more or less square so they cover off up to 3.5' but could be lacking a bit on the 4'/4.5' width. That's where the flexibility of the Tasty LED fixture design come in handy, a single 4 COB fixture like the T4-1750w could cover that area really well.
Yeah you're right lol. Got plenty to keep me busy for a while and still in the middle of my first ever run lol....need to tone it down and keep on top of the current grow. The SIP's just simplified my life so much and have left me with extra time lol so I start researching stuff again.
 

Javadog

Well-Known Member
This is my first run with 3590's but in general the following applies regardless of COB tech. I think with both you'll have to weigh whether heat output (or lack thereof) is a Pro or Con. It really depends on a lot of factors because lowering heat in some conditions can be detrimental to output and raises RH which is another environmental issue in some cases. e.g. in a high humidity or cool area I'd tend to favour CMH. In a hot environment with low RH I'd favour COBs.

COB Pro's:
  • More efficient, particularly the 3590's, means more light/photons/whatever you want to call it. More usable light per watt, less heat per watt.
  • More flexible coverage or uses if you DIY or buy multiple/smaller panels (e.g. I went with 3x 100w Tasty LED's for that reason), allows me to add/remove for different runs/footprints as needed
  • Allow for taller plants in height constrained grows. e.g. minimum for CMH is pot height + ~14" for fixture + 20" above canopy = ~40" of overhead + height of plants
  • Highest quality buds/terps (could be taken as subjective but I'm consistently blown away by quality when I grow under COBs)
  • Lower overall operating costs in warmer environments, e.g. less cooling required

COB Cons:
  • Heat and related humidity has to be accounted for in certain areas/environments. Less heat can be good, but in colder climates/winter it can work against you and benefits could be negated by having to heat your room ($)
  • Lower heat = higher humidity, in high RH areas this could work against you and require additional equipment like a dehumidifier
  • Single colour COB designs lack wider range of spectrum, could cost more if you want more of certain spectrum (e.g. UV, 730nm)
  • Initial cost/investment is highest out of any lighting tech

Philips 315w CMH Pro's:
  • Very efficient, most efficient bulb-style tech due to the ballast technology used to fire/burn them (excluding COBs of course)
  • Lower cost investment up-front compared to COBs, even DIY (getting closer in DIY but not in commercial panels)
  • Wider spectrum, covers a wide spectrum range, no enhancers (UV, 730nm) required for great results
  • Faster finishing times - typically seeing 4-6 days less than running them under COBs without 730nm triggers, or hps
  • High quality buds, enhanced terps, particularly compared to hps

Philips 315w CMH Cons:
  • Height restricted rooms could be a problem dissipating additional heat compared to COBs (6' minimum height suggested)
  • Overhead of ~40" puts these at a disadvantage in low-height rooms/tents
  • Higher heat output compared to COBs, somewhere between COBs and hps (could be good or bad, depends on location/environment)
  • Requires bulb replacement, every 1 1/2 years or so @12/12
Can't think of many other major factors but if anyone has anything to add please go ahead, cheers.
What a post! Thank you for taking the time GE.
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
Are you by chance considering SIP's ?
I'v been lurking a few threads & see ya there
Hey Bob, hope you're still getting some skiing in. Checking them out to see some results and different designs of the buckets. I'm thinking of trying some out in 3.5 gal & 5gal buckets, basically a res/wick with the fabric pots sitting on top. I'd like to have as much water available to carry them for a week, sticking soil in the buckets doesn't leave a lot of room for water. Would also like to keep the bucket footprint small so as to reduce the real estate they take. If it works ok it would sure help in watering and flexibility to take off for a few days. Even if I used them when I'm heading out of town, they'd give me some flexibility.

Have a design in mind, single bucket, will try it shortly, just waiting for some parts. Will be 3.5 gal bucket with a netpot lid, attach a 6" netpot below it to reach down into the res as far as possible, maybe another 3" if it fits. The netpots filled with rock-wool for the wick. Screen on top and then just sit fabric pots with small punctures in the bottom to wick the water into the fabric pot. Something like this...

3.5-5gal-SIP-1.JPG
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
I've been watching a few grows and am liking what I'm seeing .
I like your set up, gonna watch and learn
Tnx
Should have some ready to try by the next round. I'll be running 5x 3gal, may run 2 or 3 in SIP's to see if it works alright. Main thing I'll be looking for is if they last a week. That way I can fly off for a week and not worry about it, nor depend on someone coming in :)

If GE does it, then it will be kitchen clean.

SG did a graduated wick assembly. You added a third level. LOL
Lol, will try a couple of netpots trying to reach down as low as possible, try and make all the water available. Just not sure if it'll wick that far but worth a try. I'm thinking rock-wool will be a good wicking material, the fabric pots themselves wick alright if the water gets up there. Cheers.
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
Will 3gals of soil last a run or are you going to top feed also ?
Will have to feed them as they won't last a full run on my current medium so yeah maybe top feeding them once a week. Let them dry out the res/medium and top feed then fill up the res again. Could bump up the soil mix to run a little hotter as another option.
 

Evil-Mobo

Well-Known Member
I would caution though against the rockwool remember how easy wet rock wool can develop algae.

For my wick I just used the same soil as what's in the bucket and I have had zero issues, the plants are drinking and growing plenty. :lol:
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
Have a good soil mix. Keep the resi full. Keep the top layer damp.​

Once the roots fill into the resi. The top soil will go completely dry. So once a week I've been top watering an sst. 64 oz to the 5 gal sips. And 1 gal to the 18 gal sips. Use mulch and possibly a cover too.

I added worms to my 5 gals 2 days ago. I just use stems, and branches and leaves as mulch.

Also air stones in the resi make a huge difference .

20160507_232428.jpg
 
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