New Grower Hey guys need some genius advice so I came to AFN. R&B or NW? COB or normal LED? Big yielders? etc

[EazeLee]

Hi AFN heads,

just toying with ideas for my next set up and would appreciate some input..
(not a new grower but never done auto or indoors so technically new)

I have a couple Qs and would be grateful for any advice.

1. Are COB lights better than normal LED in terms of harvesting a large yield w/o sacrificing potency ?

2. Are R&B (or R&B normal LED) better than Warm White Neutral White or Cold White for an entire grow, or just a specific period i.e. vegging/flowering?

3. I read somewhere that reflective surfaces aren't be helpful for LED, in that case does that negate the need for a tent if temps & humidity can be controlled easily?

4. a) What sort of lighting set up would you recommend for 4 autoflowers, with the aim being maximum yield?
b) Would two 300w R&B COBs at 45 degree angles throughout the grow be the most efficient, or would I benefit from having one NW one RB?
c) Would throwing in a HID toplight or sidelight be beneficial, and if so what would you recommend?

5. Can anyone stand by/recommend any COB manufacturers based off experience?

6. Again off experience, which auto strains tend to be the big yielders?

I realise it's a fair bit to ask and appreciate any help at all, thanks in advance.

Regards
EzLee

 

[dcat0921]

Lots of good questions...I'm gonna tag along here cuz I'm interested in the answers too.

 

[A-Train]

I can't answer any of the COB vs LED I only have experience with LED and HID..

@The Elvis runs a mix of LED and HPS and his plants love it so it's a great thing. If it were me growing 4 plants with plenty of room and could control heat I would put a 400 hps and the 2 300 Watters for LED.

I don't know experience with most but I have seen the bud master COB rigs do well.

And if you want yield look for the more sativa longer running strains. Dutch passion puts out a lot of them as well as short stuff has a few. But keep in mind Imo ypu will sacrifice quality for quantity. I am yet to grow a plant that can yield 300 grams but the quality even be close to a 100 gram mephisto genetics plant...

Cheers hope that helps if only a little

 

[Trippyness]

Honestly, RIU has the best resources for led growers. especially cob growers.
That being said. What we need to tall about is PAR.
COB's have much better Par than regular LED and a wider spread.
With that being said. Its all about who makes the diodes. You can get just as good of par with regular 5w diodes , with brands like osram and Cree.
Making your own and creating your own configuration for spread makes up for par.
Bad about cobs... they are generally 1wdiodes in series on a PCB board.
I personally think that going with 5w diodes with a better spread is much better than cob.
Getting diodes with 3100k -3500k seems to be the best for all around growth.
Instead of coloured LED, due to the fact that you are getting even spectrum.
I personally think cob growers don't understand they are using a high powered chip with not as good of penetration due to 1w diodes in series.
I would go diodes over cob any day if building myself.
There is a reason LED companies don't use cobs.
Checkout fluency bioengineering, formerly BML. They use Osram diodes and beat out DE even with coloured diodes. Cobs are overpriced and not as effective, trends catch on though.