Lighting Recommendation for $200

[Lysergik_kid]

Looking to upgrade my light.. I should be upgrading my tent.. a 27"x27"x64 but that'll be later on, I'm using a Marshydro 300 and a Chinese true 50 watt full spectrum COB (amazon) I wanna ditch the cheap COB and add something to up my yields because I feel my plants arent getting enough..

Would 1 autocob from the cob shop be enough to make a difference? Or would getting something like 2 more mars hydro be better? I just want to give the plant a variety of spectrum so I assumed mixing the cobs might be better.. but I'm a nooblet so dont mind my noobiness

 

[wes]

1 autocob would definitely make a difference in a tent your size. I added 2 autocobs to my 3x3 vivosun tent with a Chinese blurple LED and the difference is huge. You can see my plants from the link in my signature below.

 

[Lysergik_kid]

1 autocob would definitely make a difference in a tent your size. I added 2 autocobs to my 3x3 vivosun tent with a Chinese blurple LED and the difference is huge. You can see my plants from the link in my signature below.

Wow thats awesome, those plants look awesome! So do you believe adding 1 of the 3500k Autocobs from the cobshop to my already existing Mars will be better than say.. 1 Mars Hyrdo 300 (135 true)

 

[AutoWonders]

The Autocob is a great light. I'm sure you will like it.

 

[wes]

Wow thats awesome, those plants look awesome! So do you believe adding 1 of the 3500k Autocobs from the cobshop to my already existing Mars will be better than say.. 1 Mars Hyrdo 300 (135 true)

I believe so. Each autocob is the equivalent of 150w hps, but draws only 54 or 57 watts. The spectrum of the 3500 is also better for the flowering. You will notice a difference in the intensity as well as visible light spectrum immediately. You will definitely notice a difference in the plants within a week. The mars hydro 300 is a good light, but I think you will get better results overall by adding the autocob to your existing light. They are also well built, totally silent, and produce very little heat.

 

[Lysergik_kid]

How is this guy?

https://timbergrowlights.com/chibi/

How much would the separate pieces cost to make one?

 

[Burn victim]

How is this guy?

https://timbergrowlights.com/chibi/

How much would the separate pieces cost to make one?

Looks nice , I have timber lights & they are well made . Check out the QBs 96 elite from HLG or the chilled logic puck . Same as a cob , just the diodes are spread out for better light spread & heat management. The qb96 has white light but also includes 16 deep red & 16 far red diodes for flowering enhancement, the chilled puck has 4 red diodes . The qb96 can be pushed hard , up to 175 w without active cooling & higher with . You can get a qb96 & heat sink for $ 100 . You could build a frame for it like the chibi from timber . I’m thinking about getting the chibi and replacing the cob with the qb96 & upgrade the driver to a HLG 185 . I have plenty of qb/cob light for my 4x5 , I just want to test the 96 to see the benefits of the added red . Solstrips sells a 15” 3 row duel spectrum 2700/5000k 75 w strips for $70 . It includes power supply & a heat sink tapped at each end & it’s assembled. If you talk to Brett at Solstrips.com he will build anything you want . Have fun !

 

[Lysergik_kid]

Thanks dude.. you seem very knowledgeable @Burn victim so I'll ask you a question. So right now I'm eyeing the HLG 65 quantuum board light which is 60w true watts.
Is that light better than say, a Mars Hydr 300 which is 130 to 135w true watts..

I'm aware that it's not really about wattage but spectrum.. but my question is would the mars out perform the HLG if it went on a head to head grow off?

 

[Arthur]

Cobshop has great stuff! I've got some timber lights in addition to 4 DIY cobs running now all 3500k. 450w (512 @ the wall) go with real cobs even if only one...(quantum boards are cobs too) you'll be very happy you did.

 

[Burn victim]

Thanks dude.. you seem very knowledgeable @Burn victim so I'll ask you a question. So right now I'm eyeing the HLG 65 quantuum board light which is 60w true watts.
Is that light better than say, a Mars Hydr 300 which is 130 to 135w true watts..

I'm aware that it's not really about wattage but spectrum.. but my question is would the mars out perform the HLG if it went on a head to head grow off?

I have no experience with Mars lights so I can’t honestly compare. I bought lights similar to mars & then did some research & felt stupid. Always research first lol! I gave those lights to a friend . Then after studying a bit I bought a 200w Timber rig . After a year of growing I’m impressed, it definitely out performs the lights I gave my buddy with the same strain ! Buy the HLG & avoid buyers remorse!