Lighting Cobshop.net info, questions and answers

[Budson 420]

This grow for me is my first in a few years. I had a few things from old grows but never grew in a tent before. The autocobs were an addition and not necessarily a replacement. I needed light, and knew cobs was what I wanted,

I bought the 4 autocobs for a 3x3 space deal. i had already in an 8x4 a 600w hps and a 315w cmh. The space needed more light. I have the 4 autocobs surrounding the 315w cmh. This easily covers the 4x4 half of the tent. 515 watts for a 4x4 with some lighting overlap on the other half of the tent. And runs cooler than the 600w hps side of tent. Here's the 4x4 half of the tent with the autocobs

I am going to see how the 515 combined watt cmh/autocob does versus the 600w hps. Split the tent in half. And honestly, I need a 1000 w hps to cover the 4x4, a 600 doesn't cut it.

I switched to cobs because I want to see for myself what they can do. I knew I wanted to go with citizens or crees after doing some research. I had another hps but sold and bought the auto cobs. I also went specifically with the AutoCobs because of the versatility. I have plants of multiple strains, different stages of growth, some open space in the tent that does not need light atm, and another space that is 3x3 that I could put one or two autocobs if I want.

When it comes to money, it's a no brainer for me. These lights have enabled me to use less of my window ac and less fans, as well as run the lights 19/5 instead of 24/0. If I have the means, next grow I am going to run two tents versus each other. One 19/5 cobs and one 24/0 hid lights.

Seems like I'm in the same boat as you my dude, for me though I just want an upgrade, if I can be more efficient with power, and get more PAR per wattage then I'm doing it.
I dont know lights well but your right you'd need a 1000w hps, I'm sure a 600w is suited for a 3x3 that's what I'm running anyway, got a link to your journal? I'll tag along,
Not understanding why you went from 24/0 with hps to 19/5 with cobs? Personally I would of went the opposite way.. I'm only running 18/6 with hps to save power other wise I'd be running at 20/4, witch when I get my cobs I will be doing, unless there's a certain reason you dropped the cob lighting down to 19 hours? Or was that just personally preference?

 

[NebulaNuggets]

I had been advised that with the cobs a 24 hour cycle is over kill and a plant can only utilize so much light in a 24 hour period. I had thought the same as you, but I read up on some cob grows and it seems to be the case. I also am coming into the hot season here in southern AZ and less power consumption during the hot part of the day is a nice break for the plants. It's already difficult to cool the tent with the tent open and ac running 24 hours. Helps immensely with temps and saves a few bucks on elec without sacrificing plant growth for the cob side at least. Not really sure if the benefit of 24 hours under an hid is even correct, as it seems nature had intended for some dark period. Indoor growing seems to be contradicting nature in many instances and I like to know why this is so I went 24/0 and now flipped to 19/5. I had never grown autos, or even grown under 24 hours for veg. I was just curious if 24 hours was ideal for autos so I decided to give it a go.

My journal is here https://www.autoflower.org/threads/nebula-grow-journal-an-8x4-full-of-mephistos.58871/#post-1410898 Just got set up and going this month. Should have a good idea what each light can do versus each other after this grow

 

[Budson 420]

I had been advised that with the cobs a 24 hour cycle is over kill and a plant can only utilize so much light in a 24 hour period. I had thought the same as you, but I read up on some cob grows and it seems to be the case. I also am coming into the hot season here in southern AZ and less power consumption during the hot part of the day is a nice break for the plants. It's already difficult to cool the tent with the tent open and ac running 24 hours. Helps immensely with temps and saves a few bucks on elec without sacrificing plant growth for the cob side at least. Not really sure if the benefit of 24 hours under an hid is even correct, as it seems nature had intended for some dark period. Indoor growing seems to be contradicting nature in many instances and I like to know why this is so I went 24/0 and now flipped to 19/5. I had never grown autos, or even grown under 24 hours for veg. I was just curious if 24 hours was ideal for autos so I decided to give it a go.

My journal is here https://www.autoflower.org/threads/nebula-grow-journal-an-8x4-full-of-mephistos.58871/#post-1410898 Just got set up and going this month. Should have a good idea what each light can do versus each other after this grow

I didn't know that man, though I can see what they mean by "over kill" I've never done 24/0 or 20/4 for that matter, IMO plants need a rest, even autos, but I had the idea of 20/4 would kick ass for some autos, maybe not?
You've probably already though about this but why not change your lights "on" hours during the night when it's cooler? I had to do that, plus "off peak" times for my power provider are during the night so there's another saving,
Anyway I'll head over to your journal, getting a little off topic here

 

[White Punk on Dope]

Howdy boys. I run my AutoCons 24/0. Big plants that finish faster.

 

[AutoWonders]

Howdy boys. I run my AutoCons 24/0. Big plants that finish faster.

24/0 is how I roll too. When I changed from photos to autoflowers, it was light light light light. I just started my all cob shop grow.

 

[BongoBongoLand]

Hey, what's the beam angle? (using measurement format in image below)
[sorry if been asked already, can't find]

 

[BigSm0]

Hey, what's the beam angle? (using measurement format in image below)
[sorry if been asked already, can't find]

Cobs are directional with a 115 degree angle. The reflectors at cobshop are 90 degree. This is pretty much the standard for grow lights. There are other options available down to 60 degree I believe but the coverage area suffers and the intensity is way to much for plants to handle.

 

[BigSm0]

I didn't know that man, though I can see what they mean by "over kill" I've never done 24/0 or 20/4 for that matter, IMO plants need a rest, even autos, but I had the idea of 20/4 would kick ass for some autos, maybe not?
You've probably already though about this but why not change your lights "on" hours during the night when it's cooler? I had to do that, plus "off peak" times for my power provider are during the night so there's another saving,
Anyway I'll head over to your journal, getting a little off topic here

This is exactly what I do and I do it year round. Lights out for me is between 11-4pm as it's the warmest part of the day. This is also helpful in winter too.

 

[Evil-Mobo]

Well I'm glad about the efficiency! My biggest worry is sending my power bill sky high now I have a HPS/MH, I'd like to keep the cost of power as low as I can, as that factor alone decides if keep growing or not, so cobs have the win there, I mean clearly cobs are the way to go and I will get there, I just like to know what I'm buying and how to use it affectly before I buy it, another thing is the price, it looks good in USD but once converted to AUD my jaw drops, I guess you have to pay the big money up front.. and in return you save on electricity in the long run?
Do all your model of cobs have the same spectrum range you said the most popular is 35k? So would a different model cover different areas of spectrum?
Thanks for the PM to brother, if you still can't say what you need to in there I'll give you my email.

Hey man thanks for the add info!
What model mars did you have if you don't mind sharing?
I can see how having the ability to move a single cob to suit a single plants needs is a huge factor (personally) I have two seedlings sitting in a bench in the tent, stretching and bending towards the light, if I had a cob this wouldn't be a problem, I had to build a diy seedling grow box just for them, and I probably will have a perpetual grow going, so in this aspect if I was to go down the cob road, you wouldn't suggest building a frame, but instead leave them seperate? How's penetration to the lower buds? As you'd know HPS is hopeless at this my current plant has undeveloped buds left right and centre, speaking of buds, how do they form under the cobs? Are we talking nice phat dense colas, or airy lose buds? Did you see an increase in yield/resin/potency, more rapid explosive growth? List of of the most noticeable changes you've come across since ditching the hps?
One more question for now, where I live it's hot summers and cold winters, there's no in between, even my hps with cool tube got to hot in summer, but the affect is opposite atm cause its providing heat.
(To give you an idea, its 18degrees outside of tent, and 25 in the tent) so this time of year it's actually a benefit, do the cobs provide any extra heat? ( so if it's 25 outside your tent room temperature, is it still 25 in your tent or do they give off heat?)
So sorry my questions are all over the place and not ordered properly, I'm at work and I'm stopping and starting the comment haha,
Appreciate any info my bro, have a good one champion

Sorry for the delayed response, health hasn't been cooperating the last few days so I have been MIA from the rest of the world........

I had one of these before I knew better:
https://www.mars-hydro.com/led-grow-light/mars-pro-epistar160-led-grow-light-usa.html

Then I "upgraded" (LOL) to a Hydroponics Hut Pro Grow 260 I believe was the model number....? Their site was down just now when I went to go look for a link to paste here. Both lights are NOT the best for Flower for veg the blurples kill it as most anything would.............

I think the LED's would serve you well.

As for how well they work and whether I recommend a frame or not I would have to give you my honest answer which a lot of times people don't like. No two grows are alike PERIOD. So this depends on you. What's your preferred method to grow? SCROG, SOG, more al natural, etc. You already stated heat not being an issue so that's good many people deal with this badly as did I in my old spot before I moved. (different states LOL)

Do you grow the same strain per grow, or switch it up.

What's your budget, etc etc.

Not everything works for everyone, just take cloning as an example. I think this aspect of growing in itself, as well as drying shows us all how one thing can work for one person at one location and be a total dud for another person.

I'd say first decide on your space and then look to match the lights with how YOU grow.

As I said already, the COB's work well and so do the QB's, but for right now what I see is the advantage of being able to move these COB's around as needed. BUT, I grow different strains within each grow, I need to have the variety and want it. I do not do mono crops. There is no BEST light in my opinion, but there are lights that better suit certain grows over others. And there are still situations where I'd recommend an HID over LED, it just depends.

What you will learn as you grow more (at least I have) is that the guys that can really grow and are good at it, can grow anything under any light, they're good enough to understand how much the environment dictates the grow and adjust accordingly.

Hope this helps and again sorry for the delay. If you have any other questions please fire away and I will try and help as best I can. I'm no pro brother, just a regular guy who grows his owns meds and always looks to do the best he can and learn more. When you think you know everything about growing you have failed.


Just my
Cheers

 

[BigSm0]

Spot on. There is definitely no best light. Cobs deliver the most light per watt but do cost more upfront. They are the cheapest per par watt and that's the most important thing. Flexibility and expanding at your own pace makes these a hit over the other dozens of cob lights available. I wouldnt recommend doing a warehouse with them but great for the rest of us.