Setup

So this is my first setup and honsestlh ive enjoyed it even though I’m WAY over budget lol hasn’t hit too hard though, I’ve taken my time I’m setting up over the past 6 months or so.

•I’m running a 5ftx4ftx6.6ft vivosun tent
Doing DWC in two 17 gallon totes with 2 plants each.
•Using a general hydroponics air compressor 320gph with two 4” air stones in each tote.
•Using 2(1each tote)hydrofarm 160gph irrigation pump to have top feed in beginning stages (I’m starting with clones)
•California Lightworks solar system 550w/uvb & control unit
•ac infinity T6 w/carbon filter exhaust fan w/temp gauge and control box
•1 small oscillating fan(optional for 2nd, 1 high 1 low?)
•CO2 meter, monitor and controller(future upgrade) I am going to give those exhale bags a try so I wanted the monitor to tell.

I think that’s about it as far a presently.

future upgrades will be water cooler for reservoir, thinking of doing ebb & CO2 enrichment(unless those exhale bagswork really well.

You’ll definitely need more light when it comes to flower time. That one will do to veg the plants fine though

Shit bill I fucking hope not lol otherwise I woulda grabbed the 1000w equivalent light. This one say it does a 4x4 area, that’s all I’m using of my 4x5 tent (there’s a divider).

Hopefully they arent overly boosting their stats?

HydrizzalE said:

Shit bill I fucking hope not lol otherwise I woulda grabbed the 1000w equivalent light. This one say it does a 4x4 area, that’s all I’m using of my 4x5 tent (there’s a divider).
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Hopefully they arent overly boosting their stats?

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Invest in a quality light for your flowering, I know you're over budget already but it is one of the most important singehanded factors that will directly effect the size of your yield.

HydrizzalE said:

Shit bill I fucking hope not lol otherwise I woulda grabbed the 1000w equivalent light. This one say it does a 4x4 area, that’s all I’m using of my 4x5 tent (there’s a divider).
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Hopefully they arent overly boosting their stats?

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I use 2 of the 550 in a 4×4. Have serious doubts that one can flower a 4×4.

One can veg a 4×4.

HydrizzalE said:

Shit bill I fucking hope not lol otherwise I woulda grabbed the 1000w equivalent light. This one say it does a 4x4 area, that’s all I’m using of my 4x5 tent (there’s a divider).
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Hopefully they arent overly boosting their stats?

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No way is that gonna replace 1000 watts. It says 0-400 actual watts. It should be called a Solar System 400 if you ask me.

PadawanWarrior said:

No way is that gonna replace 1000 watts. It says 0-400 actual watts. It should be called a Solar System 400 if you ask me.

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I'm guessing it is about equal to 550 watt of hps. Have never ran a 600hps but probably the most comparable to one ss550

Yea the 550 is a 600watt equivalent putting out 400 watts. The 1100 is a 1000 watt equivalent putting out I think 600watts. Well I’m about 2/3 weeks out from receiving clones so we’ll see how this one light does. Maybe on my next batch I’ll grab the 1100

HydrizzalE said:

Yea the 550 is a 600watt equivalent putting out 400 watts. The 1100 is a 1000 watt equivalent putting out I think 600watts. Well I’m about 2/3 weeks out from receiving clones so we’ll see how this one light does. Maybe on my next batch I’ll grab the 1100

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The 1100 is two 550 together in a bracket.

Sofa King Smoooth said:

I'm guessing it is about equal to 550 watt of hps. Have never ran a 600hps but probably the most comparable to one ss550

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If he's lucky. Some of that 400 watts is powering fans. That's also blurple tech. Totally outdated.

I'd really want to be able to provide 50 watts per sq ft for blurple, so 800 watts in a 4x4. Newer white LED's I'd be cool with 35 watts per sq ft, so like 560 or so.

HydrizzalE said:

Yea the 550 is a 600watt equivalent putting out 400 watts. The 1100 is a 1000 watt equivalent putting out I think 600watts. Well I’m about 2/3 weeks out from receiving clones so we’ll see how this one light does. Maybe on my next batch I’ll grab the 1100

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Don't believe the hype. They claim this is 1000 watts.

PadawanWarrior said:

If he's lucky. Some of that 400 watts is powering fans. That's also blurple tech. Totally outdated.

I'd really want to be able to provide 50 watts per sq ft for blurple, so 800 watts in a 4x4. Newer white LED's I'd be cool with 35 watts per sq ft, so like 560 or so.

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Not exactly blurple but definitely less white diodes. The light has three channels blue diodes, red diodes, and white diodes.

Diodes are quality diodes.

There are two fans per 550 and an extremely thick finned aluminum heatsink.

Agree with 50watt/square foot when using the controller and adjusting the spectrum. That will give sufficient headroom to allow decreasing output of separate channels.

I would say it is an led with built in ability to adjust spectrums like used to be done with florescent bulbs. Not necessary but it does grow good weed.

Of course so does Marshydro or Alibaba or whatever brand

I guess I should of made an account sooner lol oh well live and learn. I’ll struggle through my first batch and see what happens. I’ll keep an eye out for a 1000 watt led equivalent for future use. Probably stick with CLW only cause I already have the controller for them. I’m more worried about my water quality than anything else currently

HydrizzalE said:

I guess I should of made an account sooner lol oh well live and learn. I’ll struggle through my first batch and see what happens. I’ll keep an eye out for a 1000 watt led equivalent for future use. Probably stick with CLW only cause I already have the controller for them. I’m more worried about my water quality than anything else currently

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It is not a bad light. It is pricey and does things that are not necessary for growing good weed. That's my opinion and I jumped in headfirst on them.

The light intensity is tightly focused with a hot spot in the center that drops off quickly at the edges.

In order to get the most out of the lights, put mine on movers which significantly increases the cost per light plus extra electricity. But already had the lights and figured might as well get the most from them.

Sofa King Smoooth said:

It is not a bad light. It is pricey and does things that are not necessary for growing good weed. That's my opinion and I jumped in headfirst on them.

The light intensity is tightly focused with a hot spot in the center that drops off quickly at the edges.

In order to get the most out of the lights, put mine on movers which significantly increases the cost per light plus extra electricity. But already had the lights and figured might as well get the most from them.

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i mean that’s kinda how I feel, I’m already 998 deep.Do I buy another 550 or just grab the 1100? That’s the question. I’m leaning with a 1100 since eventually I’ll have a full plant cycle going so I can continuously grow. So I’ll use the 550 for seedling or clones

HydrizzalE said:

i mean that’s kinda how I feel, I’m already 998 deep.Do I buy another 550 or just grab the 1100? That’s the question. I’m leaning with a 1100 since eventually I’ll have a full plant cycle going so I can continuously grow. So I’ll use the 550 for seedling or clones

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There's better options, but they can all grow weed.

HydrizzalE said:

i mean that’s kinda how I feel, I’m already 998 deep.Do I buy another 550 or just grab the 1100? That’s the question. I’m leaning with a 1100 since eventually I’ll have a full plant cycle going so I can continuously grow. So I’ll use the 550 for seedling or clones

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Well, as an option, could use the one 550 with controller as a seedling/clone veg lamp with all the adjustments and get one of the bar type lamps for flowering. They seem to be about as good as it gets for light spread and efficiency.

If I were just starting I would seriously be comparing the bar lights and look through the journals of excellent grows with that type of light.

That's what i would be buying today. Havent seriously shopped them so have no recommendations but there are several growers on here killing it with those type lights

Sofa King Smoooth said:

Well, as an option, could use the one 550 with controller as a seedling/clone veg lamp with all the adjustments and get one of the bar type lamps for flowering. They seem to be about as good as it gets for light spread and efficiency.

If I were just starting I would seriously be comparing the bar lights and look through the journals of excellent grows with that type of light. ‘Fucking nooblol

That's what i would be buying today. Havent seriously shopped them so have no recommendations but there are several growers on here killing it with those type lights

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You’re talking CLW correct? Cause that’s what I was reading review wise that they were a decent option. I think I underestimated the size I needed by listening to the manufacturers listed growth size instead of actually reading real life grow scenarios like you said. … fucking noobs lol

Yeah, manufacture info can be very misleading if not downright false.

LED's still do not have the depth of power that HID's can provide, just bite the bullet and buy a 600w ballast to supplement your LED beyond late veg and bloom (both working can produce great results!)