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Looking to upgrade my lighting for a 2×4 tent set up.
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Looking to upgrade my lighting for a 2×4 tent set up.
Thanks to the DGC I’m about to start Grow 2.5 with a completely controlled environment (DLI, VPD and all that good stuff). With this set up I have pretty accurate control of everything. The one upgrade I would like to make is to my current lighting set up that can sometimes run too hot.
My current lighting rig uses two ViparSpectra xs1500 Pro’s, and while they have excellent PAR coverage and I did very well with them on the first run, I know I can find something that will not raise my internal tent temperature as much and has similar coverage.
All that being said, now that my grow budget has opened up and I have an adequate working system that preforms decently well, I’m looking for the “buy once, cry once” option. Meaning I really don’t care about cost at this point.
My goal is to have the absolute best 2×4 set up possible for my grow style since upgrading to a larger environment is not an option as I live in a high rise condo in Downtown KC and space is at a premium.
I’ve poured over ppfd charts and reddit reviews, which are mostly worthless, so I turn to you DGC to help with this first world problem of a decision.
I added a pic of my set up for reference.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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28 Replies
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I don’t have any recommendations, but this tool might help you decide.
https://www.cocoforcannabis.com/grow-light-calculator/
cocoforcannabis.com
Grow Light Calculator - Coco For Cannabis
Our grow light calculator provides an accurate way to analyze & compare grow light fixtures. Enter your own grow light data or select preloaded fixtures.
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I recommend the calculator too. I used it to buy 2 lights now and it’s great. afaik they are working on a new version but the old one is still so useful
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Here’s kinda where I’m at. If anyone had other suggestions I’m here for them. I’d rather make the right decision than a rushed one.
https://www.kindledgrowlights.com/products/spectrum-led-grow-light
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/all/products/hlg-350r?_pos=11&_fid=3a69e82b5&_ss=c
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This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by Redweasel.
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HLG seem to be very reliable and have been proven over the years. I haven’t heard of the others, not that that means anything.
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That was my first thought, but digging a little deeper, it seems that I’ll run into the same issue. That is kind of what I’m after. Something with a good warranty, (5yrs or so) and possibly a touch overpowered. That’s what dimmers are for.
Looking back on the Gorilla light intrigues me because of the ability to have presets and adjust the far red and UV, but it seems to be pretty dang new, and that makes me unsure.
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I find it odd how vague that gorilla one is lol I like their tents but..unless I missed it the don’t actually say what diode version the use, just osram and samsung..they have no PAR map and no SPD graph (spectrum) ..really weird way to advertise it.
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At the end of the day a watt will always produce the same amount of heat. I’m not a lighting nerd but if you’re adding IR and running, for example, 400w, then the heat load will always be pretty much the same. I’d go with reliability and a trusted brand over marketing jargon. If you can get the ballast outside the tent that will help too.
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I agree with the marketing, it’s seems like spiel rather than giving you some numbers to go on..par maps if accurate really help decide if a light is going to give coverage how you want..but as far the watt im not sure about that in practice, the efficiency means a more efficient diode can produce more light output per watt of energy consumed, which can mean you can turn them down but get similar light output to a less efficient diode at the same power
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All true. I wish the HLG had a detachable driver, then it would be an easy decision. The ACI, Mars Hydro and Spider Farmer lights look great and all, but are really not enough of an upgrade to what I’m running now to justify it.
That’s another reason I’m taking my time deciding. What I have now is adequate for the time being, and i actually dig these lights a lot. I just want to invest in something I won’t feel the need to upgrade again for a few years if not longer. If that’s even possible.
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This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by
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See it’s funny but this is where the ‘iongrid s22/t22’ come into their own. Low heat, great coverage and therefore can be hung close to the plants with a very low setting like 3/10. But they were shat on for some reason (probably because people where comparing them to commercial setup up grow lights )where the iongrid are more versatile but not a replacement for commercial setting, and have disappeared..but they are great for small grows,far better han most bar lights and all the boards. this two you posted look great if extortionate haha but then you said you don’t mind the cost!
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Im growing in a 3×5 and recently purchased the new spider farmer se-4500 with the new diodes. (Made for a 2×4). Currently on my 2nd run with it and it runs very cool, very efficiently, during late flower im currently running at 65%, and getting great coverage. 320 watt light. Im happy with it. Good luck, lots of good lights out there now!
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that 4500 light gets hot when you turn it up to 100% i had to splice in a extension and move the power supply outside the tent and even then my 2×4 tent struggles to stay at 75F with half a 5k btu ac unit runnin to it and my ac infin carbon filter on the #4/5 setting.
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I guess part of the benefit of the newer LEDs is the efficiency of them. Way plenty of power for my flower tent where i dont see ever needing to go to 100%. Plenty of Par/ppfd for my needs. Im running a 6” aci inline set line at 3, and 3 6” fans, one on controller and one oscillating. Tent is also in an ac bedroom and pretty much stays at 72’f. Now that MH ts-3000 in the 3×3 gets hot af if im not careful, but i dont need to run that over 50% either. Good luck with whatever light you choose!
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What ppfd are you getting at canopy?
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Yeah, that’s what I’m trying to avoid and the only reason I want to change it up.
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I just acquired one of these for my veg area. My s44s just got too hot.
The tuneable spec was big for me since this sits over a veg only area.
Runs pretty cool. I had to turn ac up to 80 to get to 80-82 table temp.
I had to keep it at 76/78 w the 44s to achieve 82.
Gonna save me $$ … I dig that
vivosun.com
Integrated Fan Light:The AeroLight Wing 200W foldable LED grow light features a built-in circulatory fan for enhanced canopy airflow fostering a balanced environment; Crafted with 301B Diodes, a dimmable driver, and a sun-like full spectrum, this light is ideal for … Continue reading
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I like those lights i have 3 of them. The fans are OK but I think those do add a bit of heat. In my 4×4 i got 2 of those instead of one 400watt light. 2 seperate lights Work way better for coverage and I can tune in the grow a lot better.
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I’m upgrading to this. Prices have gone up and will continue to. DudeGrows coupon code saves 10%
280watt Ion frame and 80 watts of supplemental from A/C Infinity.
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I agree i have a AC infinity ION FRAME EVO3, I love this in my 2x4x6 tent, great coverage in flower + in the hot summer i remove the led driver and place it outside the tent, it helps with heat. in the winter i put it back in and it also helps with heat. Could never get it over setting 8 ppfd to high.
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As much as I love ACI for their controllers, fans & whatnot, I’m not sold on their lights as compared to others after watching & reading about them from Shane Torpey.
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He loves these ones lol .. https://youtu.be/DEbI6GsxDak?si=ZW2M6XDIOKwHyHm-
Tbf I like the array 3 ones too
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I’m curious what Shane didn’t like about the AC Infinity lights. I’ve got a couple of those evo3’s and I really like them. Easy to use dimmer, detachable ballast, ip65 water resistant, a nice spectrum with a little UV and IR… They are a little on the expensive side but besides that I have a hard time finding any issues with them.
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I’ll have to look back up what I read exactly. I think the average spread wasn’t as good as some others. I’m taking another look at them now. I do like the detachable driver.
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I use an HLG 320 Rspec FR in my 2×4.
Wouldn’t think of using anything else.
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How does your temp run typically? I have a pretty well controlled external environment.
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Migro just released some new lights. Here’s the 2×4: https://migrolight.com/products/migro-aray-250l
I have a Migro Aray 2 in a 2×3 veg tent and I’m very happy with it. A couple of those would work great in a 2×4. Currently 20% off.-
I literally just checked the new Migro five minutes ago. We may have our frontrunner.
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Yeah the array are what I had planned to replace my iongrid in the small.tents with, IF they don’t bring them the iongrid back by that time.
They’re not extortionate like all the others! I don’t like to encourage greed when you don’t have too!!
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