Making the switch, HPS to LED

For one of my side projects I run a scrog with two 150w hps fixtures in a 26x26x60" tent and it gets awfully hot in there. Can anyone suggest a suitable replacement?

I see these flat 12x12" "1000" series led boards on Amazon, by spider farmer, mars, viparspectra, maxisun, etc. Most are 100w and the Mars one says its 150w. They all suggest that one of these is enough for the 2x2 space while Mars says 2.5x2.5. They also have the "2000" series which is 12x24" with twice the number of lights. They claim these to suffice for a 3x3. I've always been from the school of thought that more light is better, having always worked with fluoros and hid's, and so I'm leaning toward the "2000" series. But I know LEDs are a different animal. I assume these run cooler than the hps?

I hope to hear your opinions and experiences with these lights. If I'm barking up the wrong tree as far as lighting choice, please point me to the right one. I am totally new to using LEDs as a main light source.

1. I'd prefer to stay under $200 but may be willing to spend up to $300 if it would make a tangible difference.
2. I'm limited in height. My container is 1ft tall and my tent is 5ft tall, so that leaves 4ft to the ceiling to fit the light, the plant and empty space in between (fan and filter sit outside the tent). I figure that means I need something that can sit within 10-14" of the trained canopy.



Thanks everyone!

I would shoot for a 200-235w fixture.

How about this one?

oldfogey420 said:

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07SKM3GV1/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A1CLX3M21C6YH2&psc=1

Click to expand...

I dont know much about LEDs, i would seek advice from others. Just tossing out the amount of power your looking for.

oldfogey420 said:

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07SKM3GV1/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A1CLX3M21C6YH2&psc=1

Click to expand...

Excellent find. No telling how good it is, or how long it will last, but the design is solid, and the price is V G.

Bar lights are better than boards as they allow heat and humidity to rise up above (between the bars) and either be exhausted out, or at least get out of the grow area below the bars. One caution is spacing between the bars. Migro tests lights on his YTC One recent test with a bar light shows the area in the center between 2 bars to not have much light (I see a shadow)

That's a lot of light for a ~ 2 x 2. Keep it up high! Hope you start a thread

hth

PhatNuggz said:

Excellent find. No telling how good it is, or how long it will last, but the design is solid, and the price is V G.

Bar lights are better than boards as they allow heat and humidity to rise up above (between the bars) and either be exhausted out, or at least get out of the grow area below the bars. One caution is spacing between the bars. Migro tests lights on his YTC One recent test with a bar light shows the area in the center between 2 bars to not have much light (I see a shadow)

That's a lot of light for a ~ 2 x 2. Keep it up high! Hope you start a thread

hth

Click to expand...

If he had a 2x2 i would say its probably to much but the extra square foot he has should make this light a perfect fit. Might be a bit much for seedlings.

Thanks for your input folks, I appreciate it!

Depends how much heat you need to shave off.

But 4.66square feet @30w psf , 150w of spider farmer would work well, 180w of mars.

Lots of options in that range for your space.

I like that little bar light you linked but would want it dimmable, cant see if it is. If it isn't then you may have issues in veg.

Check these HLG boards. 4 of them for a buck fifty. You will have to buy a driver and diy but its not hard. So for $250.00 you nearly 300 watts of top end lighting https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/quantum-boards/products/qb120-quantum-board

coreywebster said:

Depends how much heat you need to shave off.

But 4.66square feet @30w psf , 150w of spider farmer would work well, 180w of mars.

Lots of options in that range for your space.

I like that little bar light you linked but would want it dimmable, cant see if it is. If it isn't then you may have issues in veg.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

For veg a simple cheap vanity fixture from Lowes/HD + 2-3 screw in LED bulbs (2 NW + 1 WW) do a great job for seedlings and clones

I opted for the Mars TS1000 and I'm happy with that decision. The heat issue is completely resolved and the girls seem to really like the light.

I am currently building a 5x5 room to replace my 4x4 tent to give me more room for fans and, well, more room for my ladies to spread out a little. I had been running a 600w hps along with six 12" cheapo 45w led boards to supplement around the edges of the tent. Heat has always been an issue in this particular setup, and I think it may have a lot to do with my airy buds in my last couple grows.

I'm torn with between three options for my new space.

1. Hlg650r

2. Mars FC6500

3. 3 of this fixture - Mars TSL2000
.

The only reason the TSL2000 is on the list is the versatility. I can adjust the height as needed if some plants decide to stretch more than others which is bound to happen.

Otherwise HLG was leading the way until I came across the Mars FC6500. Which per Mars' maps has super even light distribution, and 1100 ppfd in the corners.

I have a weak understanding of the QB's, from my first round of research when I originally created this thread. I have no knowledge whatsoever about these folding bar lights like the FC6500. I've always been an HPS guy until I tried the Mars TS1000 in my 2x2. That light sold me on LEDs and as I understand it, it's only a mediocre light when compared to the likes of HLG.

oldfogey420 said:

1. I'd prefer to stay under $200 but may be willing to spend up to $300 if it would make a tangible difference.

Click to expand...

I just purchased a Spider 2000 for a 4x4, tis supposed to be for a 4x2 but I stuck one of my old LED'z in there with it until I can purchase another one. I'm 6 plants deep and the plants are happy, happy!