Nibiru Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Hi. long time lurker I currently use 285w CFL (2 x bulbs, 1 x 85w and 1 x 200w) in a 0.8m x 0.8m x 1.6m tent, planning to grow 3-4 plants LSTed to screen of green. This is for personal use of course so want to maximise effeciency. I am willing to invest R5k more or less in a decent setup that will increase my yield and also down my electricity costs! I have checked out local shops and know what their options are, but I am still undecided on "branded, plug and play" spectrum setups like Mars / Californiaworks and a Quantum board / COB setup. I know Californiaworks plug and play are COBS? I am not too confident in importing unless someone can guide me through it. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks guys 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsyCLown Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 LED's are certainly the way to go and with your budget a Quantum Board will be perfect! 2x QB288's with a maximum draw of around 240w will fill your tent without issues, infact you will likely be running it dimmed, only putting out 120w - 180w so that will certainly save costs compared to your current setup and will without a doubt increase yields. Locally there are a few places which sell Quantum Boards, however you could get it for less if you are willing to do some DIY and and import - perhaps drop me a PM if you want a bit more info on importing QB's (quantum boards). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibiru Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 Just now, PsyCLown said: LED's are certainly the way to go and with your budget a Quantum Board will be perfect! 2x QB288's with a maximum draw of around 240w will fill your tent without issues, infact you will likely be running it dimmed, only putting out 120w - 180w so that will certainly save costs compared to your current setup and will without a doubt increase yields. Locally there are a few places which sell Quantum Boards, however you could get it for less if you are willing to do some DIY and and import - perhaps drop me a PM if you want a bit more info on importing QB's (quantum boards). Will definitely give you a shout, appreciate your reply! From my experience CFLs are fine for VEG (currently vegging 4 plants) but completely suck in flower. Frosty nugs, sure but they dont get dense and yield is low. If I can upgrade my light before Flower, will it be fine to swap it out in this grow which was grown with CFLs so far? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsyCLown Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 7 minutes ago, Nibiru said: Will definitely give you a shout, appreciate your reply! From my experience CFLs are fine for VEG (currently vegging 4 plants) but completely suck in flower. Frosty nugs, sure but they dont get dense and yield is low. If I can upgrade my light before Flower, will it be fine to swap it out in this grow which was grown with CFLs so far? Yeah, you can swap out the CFL's for the LED's anywhere during the grow. If you are going from a particularly low powered light to something really strong, it may be best to gradually increase the power you're giving your plants. I have not experienced it myself but heard some people had issues with their plants when changing to a stronger light or taking it from a shit indoor light to the sun outdoors, no clue how true this is though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkunkPharm Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Swopping out lights would not be an issue... I do it regularly with my setup now with load shedding. Tomorrow will be 50w cobs instead of the 150w HPS. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibiru Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 Awsome thanks guys, appreciate the swift input. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakDogg Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) LED's are finally here to stay, replaced all my HPS lights with LEDs. I would look more into strip lights as quantum boards don't have ideal spread and create hot spots in the Centre of the canopy. Edited July 23, 2020 by BlakDogg Forgot pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vaper Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 Hey there@Nibiru. Exciting times. Advice from one new upgrader to another. I have recently moved from 200w cfl's to 75w led or at least I think it's 75w (@growopz QB75). Anyway do your homework on distance from canopy. I think I burnt my plants from hanging the light to close. I'm hoping it's light burn though and not some sort of deficiency, easier to rectify.I won't give a distance as I am still trying to find the sweet spot by asking the bud's on the forum and researching.Sent from my DRA-LX5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibiru Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 2 hours ago, DamDave said: Hey there@Nibiru. Exciting times. Advice from one new upgrader to another. I have recently moved from 200w cfl's to 75w led or at least I think it's 75w (@growopz QB75). Anyway do your homework on distance from canopy. I think I burnt my plants from hanging the light to close. I'm hoping it's light burn though and not some sort of deficiency, easier to rectify. I won't give a distance as I am still trying to find the sweet spot by asking the bud's on the forum and researching. Sent from my DRA-LX5 using Tapatalk Appreciate the advice. This forum has been so enlightening, I never knew it existed. My 4 x plants are very very happy and healthy under my 285w(1 x 200w 2700k and 80w 6400k) cfl setup during veg (although I have not had another light to compare), but suffers in flower. I cant wait to upgrade. How is the immediate comparison between cfl and led except for getting used to the light distance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vaper Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 1 hour ago, Nibiru said: Appreciate the advice. This forum has been so enlightening, I never knew it existed. My 4 x plants are very very happy and healthy under my 285w(1 x 200w 2700k and 80w 6400k) cfl setup during veg (although I have not had another light to compare), but suffers in flower. I cant wait to upgrade. How is the immediate comparison between cfl and led except for getting used to the light distance? Growth spurt buddy, thinking I gonna have to make a bigger cabinet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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