Should I consider DIY?

I went with china boards and so far im very happy. I havent used them for very long yet, but the ones I got work quite well.
I got 16 boards with individual heat-sinks, drivers, dimmers, power cords, and hangers then built some cheap shitty frames and had them running for around $1200 all in. Shipping was 2 roughly 3x3x3 boxes and cost $200 of that.
China savings is when you go big. The more you buy, the more you save because shipping is a big part of the cost.
In the process of restructuring my flower setup. Packing all of these over a 6x10 area.

Ok guys, thanks for the help. Got it narrowed down to two different options based on your recommendations that I go with 2X 320w units for the 5x5 space.

1) $431 for 2X LM301b + 660 Epistar
2) $495 for 2X LM301H + 660 epistar + 12pcs UV+ 12pcsIR

Pretty similar but I'm leaning toward option #1 since it's the same number of leds and a better price. Option 2 does have the supposedly better LM301H (who knows for real though) and also has the the UV and IR. Option 1 also has a thicker heatsink if that matters.

Thoughts? Does the UV and IR actually make any sort of noticeable difference?

Mine are meijiu boards with 561s and the 660nm epistar and the plants seemed to love them, i dont have much other reference though aside from my veg T5s which they smash on. Was very happy with the quality I got from meijiu

fragileassassin said:

Mine are meijiu boards with 561s and the 660nm epistar and the plants seemed to love them, i dont have much other reference though aside from my veg T5s which they smash on. Was very happy with the quality I got from meijiu

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Ended up purchasing 2x kingbrite lights. LM301H + 660 epistar + 12pcs UV+ 12pcsIR

I'm excited to see what they do in a 5x5. Going from a Viparspectra blurble light off amazon I'm hopeful it will be a big improvement.

Innerorbit said:

Ended up purchasing 2x kingbrite lights. LM301H + 660 epistar + 12pcs UV+ 12pcsIR

I'm excited to see what they do in a 5x5. Going from a Viparspectra blurble light off amazon I'm hopeful it will be a big improvement.

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It's gonna be an insane difference

HolyAngel said:

It's gonna be an insane difference

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I'm pumped! I think I'll turn the Vipar into my veg light for mothers, clones and veg before throwing them into the 5x5 with the 2x 320 watt units so I can get a sort of perpetual thing going on.

Previously you'd mentioned that I'll probably need cal mag now. Is that just to help support faster plant growth that'll occur under the new lights?

Innerorbit said:

I'm pumped! I think I'll turn the Vipar into my veg light for mothers, clones and veg before throwing them into the 5x5 with the 2x 320 watt units so I can get a sort of perpetual thing going on.

Previously you'd mentioned that I'll probably need cal mag now. Is that just to help support faster plant growth that'll occur under the new lights?

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Yeah you will most likely need either calmag or epsom salt or both. These boards really make the plants need a lot of magnesium compared to any other type of light. I'm 6 weeks into veg and using 1ml/gal calmag+1/4 tsp/gal of epsom salt or I see leaves taco'ing and other mag deficiencies. I can't really double up on the calmag or I start seeing nitrogen toxicity, so yeah, I have to use both myself.

Innerorbit said:

Ok guys, thanks for the help. Got it narrowed down to two different options based on your recommendations that I go with 2X 320w units for the 5x5 space.

1) $431 for 2X LM301b + 660 Epistar
2) $495 for 2X LM301H + 660 epistar + 12pcs UV+ 12pcsIR

Pretty similar but I'm leaning toward option #1 since it's the same number of leds and a better price. Option 2 does have the supposedly better LM301H (who knows for real though) and also has the the UV and IR. Option 1 also has a thicker heatsink if that matters.

Thoughts? Does the UV and IR actually make any sort of noticeable difference?

Click to expand...

I ordered 2 250 watt series 3 rspecs from Budget LED. They are out of Michigan. Basically plug & play. They have 320 watt, if that’s what you want. Check them out. They are supplying a lot of medical growers out there