Indoor Best LED spectrum for vegging Autos?

[DTOM420]

I’ve decided to set up a veg tent and I’m wondering what the best color temp/spectrum is for Autos; or if there’s any differences from photos? I’m building another light using Samsung QB’s and I can either go with 4000k (my first thought) or 3500k. I already have a 4 board light in 3000k that pulls a true 640w that I’ve been using with a dimmer during veg; but I’d like to have a specific veg light and keep a rolling harvest going. Just curious if autos tended to do better with a certain spectrum/color?

Hope @autobeast chimes in.

 

[Dudeski]

I think 4k or higher for veg. 6500 would be badass!

 

[DTOM420]

I think 4k or higher for veg. 6500 would be badass!

I don’t believe that Samsung makes a QB any higher than 4000k; and I know they don’t make any cooler temps in these QBs. These are horticulture specific quantum boards and the V2’s in the size I need for a 4x4 veg tent just dropped....like yesterday! These are about 7% more efficient than the first version and are only offered in 3000k and 4000k. It’s the boards that HLG uses. I’m planning to pull an actual wattage of 275w and I can build it for less than $325.

Just wasn’t sure if autos tended to prefer a warmer light than photos; or something like that?

 

[Dudeski]

I think they all like the same spectrum so 4k for veg. Have you looked at the Folux boards? They are a vendor here and seem to be a good board so far. Same Samsung strips. They have a 5k board on their website. These is a communal thread here in the growlight section

 

[DTOM420]

I think they all like the same spectrum so 4k for veg. Have you looked at the Folux boards? They are a vendor here and seem to be a good board so far. Same Samsung strips. They have a 5k board on their website. These is a communal thread here in the growlight section

I have not. I’ll go look for them and compare them.Theyre definitely more expensive and require a heat sink, which these new Samsung boards DO NOT. So, using them in a build would more than double the price of the light. I’m not opposed to spending more money for a better light; but for probably 2.5x more money, I’d want a pretty major performance bump and I don’t know if that’d be the case in a veg light. There are a couple of LED gurus I know on another site that can explain any differences to me. I can assemble them just fine but as for comparing their specs and configuring then with the perfect driver to create an efficient system that produces the best bang for your buck.....I trust their judgement. They’re all photo growers, mainly, though. So, I wanted to check in with the Auto experts here at AFN. Thanks Dudeski!

 

[wetwood]

The boards i have are powerlite 4k the spectrum is only really lacking red going by the spectrum chart, so was thinking of just adding some individual red cobs inbetween my strips. Which would make them good for veg to flower. Regardless ul get a good crop out of 4ks

 

[DTOM420]

I think they all like the same spectrum so 4k for veg. Have you looked at the Folux boards? They are a vendor here and seem to be a good board so far. Same Samsung strips. They have a 5k board on their website. These is a communal thread here in the growlight section

I reached out to Folux and they’ve replied very quickly and have been very nice but have ignored repeated requests for specs on output and a PPFD map. I’m really interested to check them out but without specifics I won’t consider them - especially at 2x the cost. Since the boards I wanted are not quite available yet (2-3 week delay) I’m hoping Folux will provide the specs, in the meantime. I don’t mind spending money for quality but there’s a lot of hype in the LED grow light market. Plenty of “proprietary” technology that’s just slick marketing to create giant profit margins. So, I want to be careful and research what I use. A couple hundred dollars savings is a lot of compost, amendments, water filters, etc I can buy.

The boards i have are powerlite 4k the spectrum is only really lacking red going by the spectrum chart, so was thinking of just adding some individual red cobs inbetween my strips. Which would make them good for veg to flower. Regardless ul get a good crop out of 4ks

I’ve got a great 3000k light that I built that works ok from veg through flower when I turn it down during veg. So, I dont need another flower light. I’m looking for an efficient light that’ll be great for veg-only and I’ll put them under my big 3000k light for flower. I did a search for “Powerlite 4000k LED Grow Light” and came up empty. Do you have a link to the light you’re using.

 

[Dudeski]

I reached out to Folux and they’ve replied very quickly and have been very nice but have ignored repeated requests for specs on output and a PPFD map. I’m really interested to check them out but without specifics I won’t consider them - especially at 2x the cost. Since the boards I wanted are not quite available yet (2-3 week delay) I’m hoping Folux will provide the specs, in the meantime. I don’t mind spending money for quality but there’s a lot of hype in the LED grow light market. Plenty of “proprietary” technology that’s just slick marketing to create giant profit margins. So, I want to be careful and research what I use. A couple hundred dollars savings is a lot of compost, amendments, water filters, etc I can buy.



I’ve got a great 3000k light that I built that works ok from veg through flower when I turn it down during veg. So, I dont need another flower light. I’m looking for an efficient light that’ll be great for veg-only and I’ll put them under my big 3000k light for flower. I did a search for “Powerlite 4000k LED Grow Light” and came up empty. Do you have a link to the light you’re using.

The Folux board, smaller one is about 200 for the whole kit. Which one were you looking at compared to this one? Would like to check it out myself. The Samsung LEDs have done me right so far. But you are right, there is a lot of fudging on specs.

 

[wetwood]

I reached out to Folux and they’ve replied very quickly and have been very nice but have ignored repeated requests for specs on output and a PPFD map. I’m really interested to check them out but without specifics I won’t consider them - especially at 2x the cost. Since the boards I wanted are not quite available yet (2-3 week delay) I’m hoping Folux will provide the specs, in the meantime. I don’t mind spending money for quality but there’s a lot of hype in the LED grow light market. Plenty of “proprietary” technology that’s just slick marketing to create giant profit margins. So, I want to be careful and research what I use. A couple hundred dollars savings is a lot of compost, amendments, water filters, etc I can buy.



I’ve got a great 3000k light that I built that works ok from veg through flower when I turn it down during veg. So, I dont need another flower light. I’m looking for an efficient light that’ll be great for veg-only and I’ll put them under my big 3000k light for flower. I did a search for “Powerlite 4000k LED Grow Light” and came up empty. Do you have a link to the light you’re using.

I dont actually they were old stock and dont seem to be on the website anymore sorry bud. Most 3.5k 3k 4k are same light spec but better efficency. Will see what i can find.

 

[wetwood]

I can find some spec charts if you give me exact model il go hunting.

Helios FH-240K