Lighting Newbie needing some help

[RubberDuckie]

Hi,
so i will be getting a 40'x40'x80' tent, I have a LED light right now that i am not really liking( cheap), i have been trying to do my research but honestly it has been a bit overwhelming and im not sure what i really need.

I am trying to find 1 light ( LED preferably ) that i can use from seed to flower my budget is $300ish less would be better of course

So can someone help me choose a light? or at least point me in a better direction

any help is appreciated
Thanks

 

[baked in the bluegrass]

Heya!
Lights can ne a bit overwhelming and confusing for sure!
Not very experienced yet but ive done a crapton research and ill toss this out there.
Quick easy formula to find a general starting point on lights, find the square footage of your tent. Yours would be something like 3 foot x 3 foot, or 9 square feet for this purpose. We want to hit in the range of 30 watts per square foot for decent coverage. 30 x 9 =270.
Now youve got a ballpark number to look for, something in the 250-300 watt range will possibly provide ample light.
Theres a billion other factors im sure but ya got a direction at least

 

[baked in the bluegrass]

Thats the non specific general answer, some good choices in that range will include autocobs, and quantum boards.
I personally use 1x 65w autocob, you can find their website and info here in afn. And i also use a 160w quantum board from hlg. Not far outta that price range.
Thetes a stupid amount of info on both of those choices here in afn and there ate some other great choices as well.
Mars hydro, another afn fav, is having a sale right now i believe, and they have a couple lights im eyeing, under 200 bucks and good performance, yes please!
If ya can see em both, left side light is the autocob, its a perfectly shaped round pendant style led, and on the right is the quantum board.
Between em ive got a lot of options for lighting but if i could only grab 1 id grab the quantum board.
I dont know how much it matters but you get more raw wattage per dollar of initial cost. 65w autocob is $129-150 and the 160w quantum board is $190-200. Im not smart enough to figure out which is cheaper to use but i digress.
If ya like the pendant style and want some more power right under 200 bucks check out rapidled Theyve got a 100w cob that looks to be pretty sweet.

 

[RubberDuckie]

So the 260W QB is on sale for $330 but only in the 3000k, would the 3000K work ?

 

[baked in the bluegrass]

Itd get you through the whole grow!

 

[baked in the bluegrass]

Is that a mars hydro or a hlg?

 

[Death The Cultivator]

Hi,
so i will be getting a 40'x40'x80' tent, I have a LED light right now that i am not really liking( cheap), i have been trying to do my research but honestly it has been a bit overwhelming and im not sure what i really need.

I am trying to find 1 light ( LED preferably ) that i can use from seed to flower my budget is $300ish less would be better of course

So can someone help me choose a light? or at least point me in a better direction

any help is appreciated
Thanks

You need about 333 watts if 40in x 40in or 50 watts if 40cm x 40cm.

You have quantum boards or strips to choose from then the whether you want to DIY or not.

I personally use Bridgelux strips to give my canopies even coverage. Cobs lack the coverage of strips or quantum boards and then between quantum boards or strips there is the cost factor of heatsink and how you want to light the space.

https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

 

[RubberDuckie]

Is that a mars hydro or a hlg?

HLG

 

[baked in the bluegrass]

I didnt even really consider diy, if youre inclindd thatd be probably the best bang for your buck!
I do luv plug and play options tho!

 

[baked in the bluegrass]

HLG

https://www.mars-hydro.com
Check out some of the lights here, even better price than hlg. Have no idea of performance but mars is luved herr in afn, theyre a vendor.