Mars hydro 2 led question

Hello, I'm new to growing and am currently running xxxl Raptors in my 2 tents and my wife is getting mad about the electric.

I have a 8x8 tent and a 8x4 tent and am thinking of switching to led to save on electric but for the light I'll need it will be a fortune.

I was told Mars hydro second series people are seeing great results from? Can anyone confirm that? Not is there something else I should look at?

I'm hoping to spend under $1000
I also have no idea how to calculate what all I'll need for my space. I can use 1 xxxl raptor to supplement!

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

How many watts are you running?

Growing cannabis can be a very rewarding experience. It can also be a freaking nightmare when things go wrong. Four years ago I went through a 9 month period getting rid of spider mites. They kept adapting to everything I threw at them till I used a product with 3 applications instead of the recommended 2. It damn near killed the plants in the end. The total yield was terribly small due to the mites eating the plants up over the entire grow.

What I'm getting at is cannabis growing can be great when things are going right. If you get into a situation where problems start costing more money than expected - growing it can be very stressful especially when money is of concern.

Good luck in which ever light direction you decide to go.

I was running 1 1000 watt hps with 4 plants but not I have a total of 12 plants begging in my 8X8 under t5 when I get a little bigger I'm gonna leave 7 in this room and the other 5 in either a 5X5 or 4X8 tent.

How many raptors were you running when your wife started getting mad? Only one? W/ 1000w? If that's the case I'm sorry to say I don't think your gonna get it any lower if you want to rock an 8x8 tent full of plants. Youll need at least 2 raptors to light half an 8x8, with the other half empty to walk around it.

I've sold a few Mars LEDs to some clients who have been happy with them (for the price) and the "1600w" panel that actually draws around 800w could light up the the same area as one raptor (4x4 maybe 5x5) but I don't think it could match the yield, and would certainly require smaller plants because from what I've seen the penetration can't compete. And your only saving 200w of power consumption per unit, so if your only replacing one light that might drop your bill like $5 a month.

I'd say stick with the raptors and if she's really unhappy just wait till harvest time and light her one up, hopefully then she'll chill out. It is definately not cheap to recreate sunshine inside your house, my 1000 waters cost me about $100 per light per month once you factor in the cost of running a 24000 btu mini split to cool them all. Now if your bill is jumping because your using a bunch of power to cool down your raptors the LEDs might hold more promise because they'll definately put out less heat.

Thanks, yeah she wasn't mad by 1 raptor but when I told her 4 more were coming she wasn't as excited lol.

Not looking for super high yields as of now just wanting quality nice tight buds without the expense or heat of a 1000 watt

I like the heat reduction running leds . I know I give up yield but my garden is healthier for the simple fact I have much better environmental control. I am growing fond of the newer leds.

Not to burn your bridges mate. But honestly spend a couple more $$ and invest in something that you dont have to upgrade in 6 months time.

I wish I listened to the gents on here haha! Learn from others mistakes

If money wasn't an option Id do that but can afford much more than 600$ a light.

I did however find this light haven't seen much about it but it covers a 3x8 area supposedly and has a lot of fans. Found it for under 600$ throwing 730 actual watts.

Apollo 20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00W2V1OXM/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1435966538&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=apollo+20+led+grow+light&dpPl=1&dpID=518dXtlJ-eL&ref=plSrch

That looks cool and I like it no doubt it will grow and flower plants possibly much better than you would think. The mr hydro 1600 does look promising as well.I know people running both apollo and the mars and for far they are happy. But on a side note unfortunately either fixture has uva uvb imh opinion these wavelengths noticeably help with resin. Don,t hold a gun to my head this is just my opinion. I would find a way to supplement these wavelengths somehow if I could. I,m glad you posted this thread I.m finding it interesting reading up on leds

This light is no doubt better and has uva/uvb supplementation but unfortunately it is out of your price. range. From what I understand the components in this one are better quality but then again I never took one apart.
uvb. http://californialightworks.com/product/solar-storm-880/

Yeah Id le that light but for sure can't drop that on 1 light.


It's between Mars 1600 and apollo 20 so far apollo looks like a better light. Just waiting to hear someone who's used it.

Without opening a can of worms with which LEDS to use or avoid. I use 2 MH 900 series II panels. I have 6 runs with these and zero problems. For me it's the HEAT issue that made LED lights more appealing. Plus I chose to do smaller grows ( up to 6 plants ) at a time which is because the meds are for personal use not the neighborhood.
It has provided the yields I wanted without the high heat and extra exhaust requirements of a HPS system.

I run photo period seeds and AUTOFLOWERS with these lights.

Budzbuddha said:

Without opening a can of worms with which LEDS to use or avoid. I use 2 MH 900 series II panels. I have 6 runs with these and zero problems. For me it's the HEAT issue that made LED lights more appealing. Plus I chose to do smaller grows ( up to 6 plants ) at a time which is because the meds are for personal use not the neighborhood.
It has provided the yields I wanted without the high heat and extra exhaust requirements of a HPS system.

I run photo period seeds and AUTOFLOWERS with these lights.
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Out of curiosity what strain is that, your running?

Please open up a can of worms if anyone has experience with the Apollo 20 and think it's not good please tell me.

The thing that makes me lean toward the Apollo is its longer so it throws off a huge footprint. It has way more cooling fans and a heat exchange thing. Also has more true watts. I however don't see to much feedback. Does anyone know about this light?