4x8 tent. One Blackdog 1000 on a light rail, vs, two smaller lights without a light rail

J

jrman

New Member
Hi guys. I am debating on what to do and would love some advice.
I have a 4x8 tent and I am wondering, how would one larger light going back and forth on a light rail compare to two smaller lights on each side?

These are the options I am thinking about:
1) One Blackdog phytomax2-1000 (1050w) on a light rail, moving back and forth.
2) Two Spider Farmers SE7000 (730w each)
3) Two HLG Scorpion Diablo (650w each) - way more expensive than the se7000s and less wattage. Is it worth it?

If you recommend something else, please let me know.

Also, I assume that the spread footprint of a light with light bars means the light and the heat from the lights is better dispersed. So the Blackdog would not be the best option for me if I want to keep the lights close to the canopy. Is this correct?

Thanks again!
 
Lordhooha

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
jrman said:
Hi guys. I am debating on what to do and would love some advice.
I have a 4x8 tent and I am wondering, how would one larger light going back and forth on a light rail compare to two smaller lights on each side?

These are the options I am thinking about:
1) One Blackdog phytomax2-1000 (1050w) on a light rail, moving back and forth.
2) Two Spider Farmers SE7000 (730w each)
3) Two HLG Scorpion Diablo (650w each) - way more expensive than the se7000s and less wattage. Is it worth it?

If you recommend something else, please let me know.

Also, I assume that the spread footprint of a light with light bars means the light and the heat from the lights is better dispersed. So the Blackdog would not be the best option for me if I want to keep the lights close to the canopy. Is this correct?

Thanks again!
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I'd do the scorpions. I wouldn't use black dog if they were free. And spider farmer is just that spider farmer.
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Avoid light movers, they don't create more light anyways, the extra coverage is only by spreading the light thinner over the whole cannopy.

Black dog phyto-2 has low efficiency, nice spectrum but you could get something similar in spectrum for a lot less: growlight Australias 420 highlight boards.

Spider farmer is decent at best.

Brand new diablo scorpions: great but expensive option. Make sue you get new stock with 301H Evo and not older stock diodes.
 
MisterKister

MisterKister

Well-Known Member
Rocket Soul said:
Avoid light movers, they don't create more light anyways, the extra coverage is only by spreading the light thinner over the whole cannopy.

Black dog phyto-2 has low efficiency, nice spectrum but you could get something similar in spectrum for a lot less: growlight Australias 420 highlight boards.

Spider farmer is decent at best.

Brand new diablo scorpions: great but expensive option. Make sue you get new stock with 301H Evo and not older stock diodes.
Click to expand...
That isn't the point of light movers... it allows you to run the light closer increasing usable ppfd and eliminates hot spots. They also make it so there's no shade in the canopy increasing penetration (something you want with leds). I recommend the light rail 4.0 because it has adjustable speed and dwell times
 
grotbags

grotbags

Well-Known Member
MisterKister said:
That isn't the point of light movers... it allows you to run the light closer increasing usable ppfd and eliminates hot spots. They also make it so there's no shade in the canopy increasing penetration (something you want with leds). I recommend the light rail 4.0 because it has adjustable speed and dwell times
Click to expand...
the best thing about led's after their effeiciency is being able to spread your wattage evenly over the canopy, if you need a light mover you have chose the wrong light...
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
MisterKister said:
That isn't the point of light movers... it allows you to run the light closer increasing usable ppfd and eliminates hot spots. They also make it so there's no shade in the canopy increasing penetration (something you want with leds). I recommend the light rail 4.0 because it has adjustable speed and dwell times
Click to expand...
Photosynthesis runs on total amount of photons, not on intensity. 1000 ppfd for an hour is worth less to the plant than 500ppfd for 2 hours. It's a bit like thinking that your new high pressure nozzle on your tap will help you fill your bucket faster than without the nozzle.

2 scorpions on a light rail? Look up the light and have a look at it's specs, parmap and dimensions and you will hopefully see why this isn't a good idea.
 
Hobbes

Hobbes

Well-Known Member
.

I've got a Black Dog 1000 and love it for a 4x4 but the sucker weighs over 50 lbs - a light mover is going to have a hard time with that. At 1000 watts over an 8x4 area you'll only have 500 watts per 4x4 area.

I'd go with two Diablos, they've got great light footprints. I'm winning the next contest so we'll both have SDs.

.
 
M

MVincent420

Active Member
Hobbes said:
.

I've got a Black Dog 1000 and love it for a 4x4 but the sucker weighs over 50 lbs - a light mover is going to have a hard time with that. At 1000 watts over an 8x4 area you'll only have 500 watts per 4x4 area.

I'd go with two Diablos, they've got great light footprints. I'm winning the next contest so we'll both have SDs.

.
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Dude, I've got the Blackdog 800 and that fucker is heavy too!! I'm running it in a 4x4 w/o co2 and love the results. I'm only on my second grow and haven't tried anything else, maybe I got beat; maybe I didn't, but I will say, they claim 2 lbs average under the 800 and being as inexperienced as I am, I've hit that mark both grows. It's already paid for itself. I don't understand the hate and maybe thats just because I don't know any better
 
OldMedUser

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
MisterKister said:
That isn't the point of light movers... it allows you to run the light closer increasing usable ppfd and eliminates hot spots. They also make it so there's no shade in the canopy increasing penetration (something you want with leds). I recommend the light rail 4.0 because it has adjustable speed and dwell times
Click to expand...
I got a Light Rail 4.0 to do something similar to what the OP wants to do. Primarily to avoid spending more than I have to on an extra light and the power to run it at $.25/kwh. I was going to use one 1000W Hortilux SHPS but came across some 600W sets for $60 each and bought 3 for myself and 2 for a buddy. Once I get that space built I'll run 2 - 600W back to back and get 50% more light for 20% more power. Also a better fit for a 4x8' space than the 1K. I may just run the one 600 as that should be enough on the rail.

Seeing as how commercial greenhouses use a shit-ton of light movers they must be good for something.

:peace:
 
OldMedUser

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
Rocket Soul said:
2 scorpions on a light rail? Look up the light and have a look at it's specs, parmap and dimensions and you will hopefully see why this isn't a good idea.
Click to expand...
You would only need one decent LED light when using the rail. Save on a 2nd light and the power to run it. The Rail only uses 9W.
 
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