budget LED grow light for first indoor growing

HydroRed · Mar 27, 2018

Fayzz399 said:
Thanks buddy.I will check it out.I can't afford quality cob or qb at the moment,so I'd go for good budget LED now.

You can DIY a COB led light (equal to what is being sold by reputable sellers) for under a $1 per watt.
Just recently built this 200W light. Very simple to do and I'm in under $180 since I already had wire, thermal paste, etc from another DIY project.

Its basically this light ( http://timbergrowlights.com/model-2ts/ ) just built with a home made aluminum frame and some hardware.

EDIT: your comment about only considering led wasnt up when I posted.

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

Budzbuddha said:
Tent or open space ?
Budget ?

In a 3'x4' tent.Budget would be $300-400.

Budzbuddha · Mar 27, 2018

Ok well if funds are tight , then you can definitely do the blurple for a couple bucks .

However .... Look into T5 or T8 flouro lights . You literally can grab a 4-8 bulb lamp from Home Depot. But if you are looking to get right into a " PANEL " look on this forum at ACTUAL grows using an led panel you are interested in.

Many growers will try to steer you to this and that. But we all started with basic shit.
I have been there done that. I used CFL , MARS , VIPARSPECTRA and others before getting better gear. They do serve a purpose especially if growing a few plants.

Don't get blinded by " power claims " they all lie about that.

Example : Mars " 600" actually only pulls 278w at wall , and yes you can get bud from it .
Just don't be surprised if you are looking for something else after a year.

So if money is tight ... Hit us up on this thread on which model and we will go from there.
You will need a panel made to cover at least a 3x3 footprint.

Good luck ...

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

Tim Fox said:
the words "budget" and "led" should not be used in the same sentance

Maybe,but I've heard some good things about Led that not cost too much.I am trying to figure it out.Thanks a lot.

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

Peaceful Smoker Of Weed said:
I've seen some pretty cheap ones and some pretty expensive ones. What should a guy look for when buying?

I think some lights are over price.Not all expensive items are good,and not all cheap items are junk.just find some light with reasonable price and can also work well for plants.

Olive Drab Green · Mar 27, 2018

Budzbuddha said:
Ok well if funds are tight , then you can definitely do the blurple for a couple bucks .

However .... Look into T5 or T8 flouro lights . You literally can grab a 4-8 bulb lamp from Home Depot. But if you are looking to get right into a " PANEL " look on this forum at ACTUAL grows using an led panel you are interested in.

Many growers will try to steer you to this and that. But we all started with basic shit.
I have been there done that. I used CFL , MARS , VIPARSPECTRA and others before getting better gear. They do serve a purpose especially if growing a few plants.

Don't get blinded by " power claims " they all lie about that.

Example : Mars " 600" actually only pulls 278w at wall , and yes you can get bud from it .
Just don't be surprised if you are looking for something else after a year.

So if money is tight ... Hit us up on this thread on which model and we will go from there.
You will need a panel made to cover at least a 3x3 footprint.

Good luck ...

I feel like I’d rather use a large T5 over an LED panel.

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

Budzbuddha said:
Ok well if funds are tight , then you can definitely do the blurple for a couple bucks .

However .... Look into T5 or T8 flouro lights . You literally can grab a 4-8 bulb lamp from Home Depot. But if you are looking to get right into a " PANEL " look on this forum at ACTUAL grows using an led panel you are interested in.

Many growers will try to steer you to this and that. But we all started with basic shit.
I have been there done that. I used CFL , MARS , VIPARSPECTRA and others before getting better gear. They do serve a purpose especially if growing a few plants.

Don't get blinded by " power claims " they all lie about that.

Example : Mars " 600" actually only pulls 278w at wall , and yes you can get bud from it .
Just don't be surprised if you are looking for something else after a year.

So if money is tight ... Hit us up on this thread on which model and we will go from there.
You will need a panel made to cover at least a 3x3 footprint.

Good luck ...

Thanks a lot,buddy.Yea,what I am looking for is Led PANEL,maybe I should start with these basic items,I've heard some things about mars,and I know their 300w,but maybe not enough for my area.I will keep going to seeking 1 or 2 suitable light with 3'x3' footprint.Thx for your help.

Budzbuddha · Mar 27, 2018

Olive Drab Green said:
I feel like I’d rather use a large T5 over an LED panel.

Me too , but op seems pretty set in what he wants .

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

HydroRed said:
You can DIY a COB led light (equal to what is being sold by reputable sellers) for under a $1 per watt.
Just recently built this 200W light. Very simple to do and I'm in under $180 since I already had wire, thermal paste, etc from another DIY project.
View attachment 4113008

EDIT: your comment about only considering led wasnt up when I posted.

Sounds really great,but it maybe a tough thing for me to DIY,cuz I know nothing about welding.I mean I want led Panel that with various spectrum.I click the link and it looks awesome.thank you,mate

Budzbuddha · Mar 27, 2018

Fayzz399 said:
I think some lights are over price.Not all expensive items are good,and not all cheap items are junk.just find some light with reasonable price and can also work well for plants.

Where are you looking ? ................ FLEABAY or Amazon ?

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

Budzbuddha said:
Where are you looking ? ................ FLEABAY or Amazon ?

Amazon,the warranty policy on amazon is better,I think.

albert111 · Mar 27, 2018

check this one out not bad for price
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01871AHTC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01871AHTC&pd_rd_wg=4L9ky&pd_rd_r=CNY9Z1YJGGQASWH3N6WZ&pd_rd_w=EZTmT

Fayzz399 · Mar 27, 2018

albert111 said:
check this one out not bad for price
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01871AHTC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01871AHTC&pd_rd_wg=4L9ky&pd_rd_r=CNY9Z1YJGGQASWH3N6WZ&pd_rd_w=EZTmT

I just check it out,a good one.Thank you

Peaceful Smoker Of Weed · Mar 28, 2018

Fayzz399 said:
I think some lights are over price.Not all expensive items are good,and not all cheap items are junk.just find some light with reasonable price and can also work well for plants.

Okay thanks bud

coreywebster · Mar 28, 2018

Fayzz399 said:
Thanks a lot,buddy.Yea,what I am looking for is Led PANEL,maybe I should start with these basic items,I've heard some things about mars,and I know their 300w,but maybe not enough for my area.I will keep going to seeking 1 or 2 suitable light with 3'x3' footprint.Thx for your help.

Ok so your looking for 3x3 and $300-400.

https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/260w-qb-led-kit

There you go, job done and you managed to skip the cheap crap and start with the best, Quantum boards. (Terms and conditions apply, other lights are available)

If though you do go for the cheapo options look at the real wattage of the unit not the "600w grow light" bit. look at the power draw in small print and aim for 50w per square foot.
Personally I would go for the kit above and either go for a 2x4 footprint or a 3x3 and know your results are going to be good.

Like this...

mista sativa · Mar 28, 2018

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-320-watt-xl-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=1162743414812

They’ll assemble for a small fee... also available with a dimmer, since you’ll use it for veg. You can do it manually if you want to save a few dollars. I’m not sure if that layout will fit your tent, but they have different style heat sinks. I’d shoot for around that wattage or slightly higher.

Johnny Lawrence · Mar 28, 2018

Fayzz399 said:
In a 3'x4' tent.Budget would be $300-400.

Can you afford $50 more. If so, you won't need another light for at least 5 years.

https://growerslights.com/collections/horticulture-lighting-group-quantum-board-led-kits/products/horticulture-lighting-group-320-watt-xl-quantum-board-led-kit

Johnny Lawrence · Mar 28, 2018

Olive Drab Green said:
I feel like I’d rather use a large T5 over an LED panel.

Why though? T5s are inefficient af. The only real benefit is if vertical space is an issue, and that is where PCBs rule.

Johnny Lawrence · Mar 28, 2018

Fayzz399 said:
I just check it out,a good one.Thank you

Much better options, but if you insist on going cheap blurple, Meihzi and Vipar are also options to consider.

But for the most part, when it comes to LED grow lights, you get what you pay for.

Olive Drab Green · Mar 28, 2018

Johnny Lawrence said:
Why though? T5s are inefficient af. The only real benefit is if vertical space is an issue, and that is where PCBs rule.

I dunno. I’m probably just talking out my ass, but after seeing the insides of those panels, that was pretty off-putting.

budget LED grow light for first indoor growing

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