Add More LEDs?

rob333

rob333

Well-Known Member
ryikk said:
I’m about halfway through my first grow and noticing some areas of improvement. I run a 4x4 RDWC setup circulating roughly 35 gal of water. I currently run 2 x Viparspectra 600W LED. The center of the grow is rock solid but the corners seem weak.

To maximize this space, my thought is to add 2 additional LED, mostly for the additional coverage not necessarily the wattage.

I guess I’m more asking if suring up the corners is worth the $325 that would run me
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now if u spent your coin on a hps you would not be having this issue and u would have 1 light
 
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eighties

Member
I don't see why you need to throw out the Vipars and make the complete switch to QBs at once. Why don't you think about just dipping your feet in the HLG world and supplementing what you've got? You'll also get a chance to compare the lights if you see one side of the tent growing much better than the other. I'd think about shifting the Vipars to one side and adding 2 QB288s, 2 QB96 elites, or 4 QB132s. Much smaller investment and you can add on later. I think you can do any of those setups for about $250 max.
 
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MidWestMayhem

Well-Known Member
ryikk said:
Now I know Viparspectra are not end game Lights, I knew that going into this. I balanced budget with output. Now yes there are tons of great options out there and I did a little research on the HLG and found this would likely be the light I would need, so instead of $325 I would be looking at almost 3 times that to swap out new lights. Now I get that those are superior lights and would likely make a difference, but how much of a difference? Would it give me a 10% output boost? I don’t do this for $ so there is no return on investment (unless we are talking significant electricity savings where it would pay for itself in a year or less.

Could anyone expand further on why it would be better to ditch $325 worth of lights and replace with $900 worth.
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If you got higher tier lights it would boost your output by more than 10% that i can guarantee - if they are using the same 'true' wattage. Like 1000 watt of viper vs an HLG 550 for example. HLG 550 would easily destroy 10% more yield of that I am nearly 100% certain. They will pay for themselves and your plants will love you too. Vipar do work just are terrible quality. (Used both in case your wondering ;)))))) ).

Quality of your weed will improve too under top quality lights.

But you can definitely still grow fine herb with vipar but these new LEDs are just game changers imo. Will never go back I tell you!
 
Juiceifer

Juiceifer

Well-Known Member
eighties said:
I don't see why you need to throw out the Vipars and make the complete switch to QBs at once. Why don't you think about just dipping your feet in the HLG world and supplementing what you've got? You'll also get a chance to compare the lights if you see one side of the tent growing much better than the other. I'd think about shifting the Vipars to one side and adding 2 QB288s, 2 QB96 elites, or 4 QB132s. Much smaller investment and you can add on later. I think you can do any of those setups for about $250 max.
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Something like this is what I'd suggest also
 
B

Bookush34

Well-Known Member
Buy a timber grow light kit and supplement them where needed. Then when you want to upgrade you can add to your existing COBs as budget allows.
 
Couch_Lock

Couch_Lock

Well-Known Member
Timbers are quality, I'd agree. But QB's are overpriced for what they are.

And now I will get many haters, lots here just follow the crowd. Do your own research and lots of it is my suggestion.
 
ryikk

ryikk

Member
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MidWestMayhem said:
If you got higher tier lights it would boost your output by more than 10% that i can guarantee - if they are using the same 'true' wattage. Like 1000 watt of viper vs an HLG 550 for example. HLG 550 would easily destroy 10% more yield of that I am nearly 100% certain. They will pay for themselves and your plants will love you too. Vipar do work just are terrible quality. (Used both in case your wondering ;)))))) ).

Quality of your weed will improve too under top quality lights.

But you can definitely still grow fine herb with vipar but these new LEDs are just game changers imo. Will never go back I tell you!
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So this is where I ended up on my very first grow. The extra thick canopy was a product of vacation right at the wrong time and ended up with over grown veg I couldn’t get under the net. Live and learn. As you can see I had to supplement in the far edges as the buds were not developing. I’m still researching lights (work has been crazy so that has been slow going). If I had the budget I found a few really nice ones I would like but they are a bit out of reach ($1,300+). Just harvested so cleaning the setup and my next round is already cloned. Can’t wait to apply what I learned to the next grow. Right now I’m looking for a solid performer for the 4x4 tent. Trying to stay around $700 give or take. Any recommendations that fit those 2 requirements would be greatly appreciated.
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ryikk

ryikk

Member
2 lights I’m looking at right now are...

HLG 320 XL V2 (x2)

HLG 600H V2 (x1)

Anyone have any thoughts on these?
 
Couch_Lock

Couch_Lock

Well-Known Member
Not sure what "pre assembled" means at HLG. If it means its built and tested BOTH hlg has some good deals. Their lights are quality, also like Timber.
 
ryikk

ryikk

Member
Couch_Lock said:
Not sure what "pre assembled" means at HLG. If it means its built and tested BOTH hlg has some good deals. Their lights are quality, also like Timber.
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I’ll have to check out timber, never heard of them. Got a link to anything specific?
 
coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
ryikk said:
2 lights I’m looking at right now are...

HLG 320 XL V2 (x2)

HLG 600H V2 (x1)

Anyone have any thoughts on these?
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You could also use 2x HLG260w v2 or v1 if you want to save a few quid. I used two over half my 8x4 (v1) Its plenty of light and I don't mean its just enough, they almost keep up with my cob light I built which was 720+ watts over other half of my flower tent.
The HLG600 I assume your looking at growers lights, its a solid light with a bit more output than the HLG550 for less money.
Difference is mainly in the 3 year warranty you get with the 550 vs 1 year with the 600.
I think the 600 is as good a value as you can get from their lights.

Timber are lovely COB lights too.

Like others have said, no need to go for broke, you can always add one light to your existing set up and add another down the road in a few crops time. Or HPS , cmh.

It doesn't matter what you add, if you increase wattage your going to increase heat and you will have to deal with that one way or another.

I really do think 2x 320w xl is a bit overkill for 4x4 but that's just me.
 
ryikk

ryikk

Member
Yeah so after jaring up everything last night after the dry I could tell I need more light for sure. Buds turned out loose and airy. Given what I learned from this grow I can’t wait to adjust the lighting.
 
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