Lighting One or two lights for 2x4

[JSH1973]

This is my first post. Been growing for a good bit. I usually grow in an 8x4 in the garage. Summer here always sucks. So, I decided to run photos outside this year, and just 2 autos indoors. So I picked up a 4x2.

For lighting the 4x2 I decided on a ARA 41, 3 bar kit from Atreum. Couldn’t be happier. 4’ in length so it lights the entire tent evenly. Great customer support too. Only downside is now I want a couple 5 bar kits for the 8x4…$$$.

Why don't you look at filling it with daisy chained Mars Hydro TS1000 or TS3000 lights?
It would give you a great flexibility in light height around the tent, drivers can be put outside the tent and there's a dimmer on.
AFN discount code plus the few % they give you for buying multiple units.
(you could even chance it and contact them here as they are forum sponsors)
@Marshydro

 

[Tom Bombadil]

2 x 3500k autocob

 

[Marshydro]

Why don't you look at filling it with daisy chained Mars Hydro TS1000 or TS3000 lights?
It would give you a great flexibility in light height around the tent, drivers can be put outside the tent and there's a dimmer on.
AFN discount code plus the few % they give you for buying multiple units.
(you could even chance it and contact them here as they are forum sponsors)
@Marshydro

Thank you @JSH1973 for @me. We will soon have a new giveaway here!

 

[GreenBean]

Why don't you look at filling it with daisy chained Mars Hydro TS1000 or TS3000 lights?
It would give you a great flexibility in light height around the tent, drivers can be put outside the tent and there's a dimmer on.
AFN discount code plus the few % they give you for buying multiple units.
(you could even chance it and contact them here as they are forum sponsors)
@Marshydro

I appreciate the suggestion. My lights in the 8x4 in the garage are performing fine. I just like to look ahead sometimes.

The heat issue here (Los Angeles area, San Fernando Valley) isn't really heat from the lights related. It's just generally hot as hell. And in the garage, I also print in there, conveyor dryer contributes more heat. I generally switch to some outdoors growing this time of year, which I did. I've got photos outside ranging between 6.5' and 9' in height.

I prefer to grow autos though, I find them more fascinating. So, decided to get a small tent for indoors to continue my autos obsession.

My atreum bars do have an external driver, and dimmer, and I just enjoy the full 4' width of them to be honest. When the day comes to upgrade the lights in the 8x4, I will likely get more of them. I just like them.

I have no issues with MH. I actually have one of their 6" inline fans with wall controller and read out in the 4x2 that I really like.

 

[Bill.de.Cat]

heat issues in Florida basically keep me the A/C indoors.....feel the burn, lol

 

[GreenBean]

heat issues in Florida basically keep me the A/C indoors.....feel the burn, lol

Yeah, it's a real downer for sure. I've been to FLA and you guys have some nutty humidity on top of it. I'm originally from TX so I know that pain as well. I've been growing for a while, and always got bummed during summer. I have nothing against photos. I can grow them, I just don't find them as exciting if you catch my drift.

Dunno why I finally snapped to getting a 4x2 for inside the house so I can keep growing and learning more about autos, even if I only grow a couple.

Anyway, I just saw the thread title about 4x2 lighting recs and, I know the thread's a little old. Just wanted to relate my experience, as a semi-experienced grower, and the decision I made when buying lighting for my 4x2. Maybe it'll help someone down the line with another option? No affiliation to Atreum in the slightest whatsoever. But their product, and service is great. No dead/dark spots in my tent whatsoever. On top of that, I looked at their offerings and felt I wanted a 3 bar kit for the 4x2, they only offered a 2 bar. I contacted them about it, and they agreed with my reasoning for wanting 3 bars, and they went ahead and made the kit public for everyone to purchase. So if you see the 3 bar ARA kit, I guess I had a hand in that one.

 

[tronN00dles]

Two HLG 135W QB LED v2's in my 2x4.

 

[Olderfart]

Looking for advice on one light vs two for a 2x4? I have been eyeing the Mars SP3000 vs 2- Mars SP150 specifically. I already have a Mars light and am happy with the build/quality/price so figured I'd stick with them.

Is there a significant reason to go with one light vs dual? My inexperience in looking at these data sheets indicates performance goes to the SP3000, but was unsure about the versatility of dual SP150 lights overcoming the performance advantage.

I use diy screw ins, so I can't add much regarding specifics of choosing commercial lights. I will mention that I would, other things like light quality and watts/m2 being equal, always choose two lights rather than one. Being able to adjust height independently can be helpful if you have a smaller plant or plants on one side of the 2x4, and there is not much if any downside of two lights rather than one. Also, having two independent lights makes for redundancy if one of them dies. If your single light dies, you could lose your grow, but if only one of two die, you could probably keep the plants healthy while you obtain a replacement.

OTOH, I have 30 independent lights in my 2x4, so individual failures are irrelevant - one of the things I like about DIY screwins. Not everyone's cuppa though, they certainly add more heat than led's with external ballasts would. Not a problem for me because I have to add more heat to the growdrobe anyway.

Good luck with the light shopping.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

2 autocobs

 

[McDee]

Looking for advice on one light vs two for a 2x4? I have been eyeing the Mars SP3000 vs 2- Mars SP150 specifically. I already have a Mars light and am happy with the build/quality/price so figured I'd stick with them.

Is there a significant reason to go with one light vs dual? My inexperience in looking at these data sheets indicates performance goes to the SP3000, but was unsure about the versatility of dual SP150 lights overcoming the performance advantage.

Get the SP 3000, its is ideal for a 2x4. I'm on my 2nd grow with it and love it. I have 3 auto cobs which are nice, but the SP is far superior. It's the best light for the price point I have seen so far.