Lighting Switching from outdoor to indoor, need help with lights! (RIP)

[jack_trips]

Hey everyone,
First, I'd like to take a moment of silence for the so far 4 meph plants I have lost to caterpillars and bud rot. Threw two full ones with at least 4 ounces of prime bud away today. The sour stomper and double grape were smelling beyond belief and I can only imagine what the high would be like with that trich coverage. Given this and that I'm moving to an apartment soon with no backyard, I'm finally making the switch to indoors. Excited for some more control, but all these lights confuse the fuck out of me. I kinda get everything else I need, but am at a complete loss for lights.

My tent size is either going to be a 3x3 or a 2x4. So far I've heard of the classic mars hydro lights, (thinking fc or sp). Also heard of the spider farms quantum boards. I have no idea what to go with, and am open to anything. Being that this is my first time growing indoors im not looking to break the bank, but if a light is really worth it, I could spend 300-400. If there isn't much difference for a pretty new grower w/ a 100-200 dollar light though, I would rather go with those. Either way, I appreciate the advice.

Pour one out for my ladies. Hold yours a little closer today.

 

[DCLXVI]

Ah that's terrible to hear! How dissapointing. Well, I think the general consensus on the forum is that the Mars TS1000 is a decent light for a decent price. I don't think it will quite fill a 3x3 so you might need two or a different Mars light like the SP series or FC line depending.

How many plants do you want to run at once? That might guide your decision more than the tent itself. If it's only one or two you could probably get away with a single lamp. If you are going to stuff a 3x3 with 3/4/5 plants jammed in you'll probably need something with a bit more punch.

Loads of great lights out there. I have a Migro Aray-2 120W and I certainly like it. I would opt for the larger 3 or 4 bar version for a 3x3, a bit spendy but I liked the design and the specs on it. I also only have a 27x27" tent and run usually one 3gal or two smaller plants.

If I could up grade to a 3x3 I would get one of the boards from growlightsaustralia simply due to having all the new LED tricks like far red and UV built in. Their website seems spotty at best so they might be having some issues.

 

[Green Hornet]

I agree with @DCLXVI one SP-3000 should do the trick in my opinion. They run cool do not use much juice and are in your price range.

 

[Modernviking]

After it being drilled into my head, I'm going to go with HLG either the 550v2 or 1 300L and get another later. I'm pretty new so take it with a grain of salt but I've seen the words "DONT SKIMP ON YOUR LIGHTS" enough to think its true now. I have to replace 2 Shitty amazon lights so you've already done better than me lol

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

@jack_trips Welcome to AFNYour lights are IMPO the most important factor in crop quality and yield. You will be able to grow good crops with lights in the price range you are shopping. Chances are pretty good you will replace them in a couple of years with lights that grow great crops. I feel it is important to get a light with a driver that can be placed outside the tent if you live in a warm climate or opposite in a cold climate?

Get a fixture about 30% larger than you need for your space and run them at 70%. It makes them more efficient power-wise and will pay for itself in energy savings in a short time.

Spectrum comes next. Blue heavy spectrum are good for veg but poor in flower and vise versa. It is easy to add more blue in veg with an inexpensive Blue Puck so I would go with a fixture that favors the bloom period.

Then as you become an advance indoor grower you will want to look at adding Far Red, UVA and UVB. These can wait.

 

[jack_trips]

Thank you all for the support!! Makes me feel better.

@DCLXVI that's a good question on plants. When I grow outdoors, I dont do much training. I'm probably going to start lst? I think I'll go with three gallon pots. Given that, would three plants be pushing it? I'd kinda prefer to be able to run more than 2. I was looking at the migrow lights, and I liked them. Only thing is I couldn't figure out which light was for which side.

@Green Hornet I'm kinda leaning this route. besides the 2x4 or 3x3 difference, is there a difference between the SP-3000 or the FC-3000? They are about the same price. Can't tell if "best commercial lights" is just a marketing gimmick.

@Modernviking lol I love that! See I think im gonna do the thing @Mañ'O'Green is saying I'm gonna do and move onto the HLG, growlightsaustralia or some other expensive quantum board in some years.

@Mañ'O'Green Thanks for the welcome!! I live in a pretty warm climate. I'm seeing the FC-3000 has a removable driver. I'm assuming these mars hydro lights have a good ration of red to blue that you're talking about? Good looks on the blue puck though. I had no idea those things existed.

So i guess i'm leaning towards the mars hydro SC-3000 or the FC-3000. Seems like they are good quality w/o being too pricey. Will probably be back in a year or two asking about quantum boards lol!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Thank you all for the support!! Makes me feel better.

@DCLXVI that's a good question on plants. When I grow outdoors, I dont do much training. I'm probably going to start lst? I think I'll go with three gallon pots. Given that, would three plants be pushing it? I'd kinda prefer to be able to run more than 2. I was looking at the migrow lights, and I liked them. Only thing is I couldn't figure out which light was for which side.

@Green Hornet I'm kinda leaning this route. besides the 2x4 or 3x3 difference, is there a difference between the SP-3000 or the FC-3000? They are about the same price. Can't tell if "best commercial lights" is just a marketing gimmick.

@Modernviking lol I love that! See I think im gonna do the thing @Mañ'O'Green is saying I'm gonna do and move onto the HLG, growlightsaustralia or some other expensive quantum board in some years.

@Mañ'O'Green Thanks for the welcome!! I live in a pretty warm climate. I'm seeing the FC-3000 has a removable driver. I'm assuming these mars hydro lights have a good ration of red to blue that you're talking about? Good looks on the blue puck though. I had no idea those things existed.

So i guess i'm leaning towards the mars hydro SC-3000 or the FC-3000. Seems like they are good quality w/o being too pricey. Will probably be back in a year or two asking about quantum boards lol!

We have an onsite rep @Marshydro that can answer your questions and let you know the inside scoop.

 

[Green Hornet]

I only use the SP-3000's currently. I purchased them about a year ago and have not had any issues. The Mars Hydro rep would be the one to ask about their other lights. I do know the SP-3000 will cover a 2x4 or a 3x3. In the past year I know they have come out with others.
Lots of lights out there and Man o Green is well versed (from his posts) on the science. So have fun do your homework and have fun with your grows I do.

 

[Marshydro]

Welcome to indoor! @jack_trips :smoking:

For a 3x3 tent, you can try TSW2000 and FC-E3000 according to your budget. They perform well.
For 2x4 tent, SP3000 is the best, and TSL2000 can also do.

Hope you have joy and harvest with indoor grow!

 

[Modernviking]

Welcome to indoor! @jack_trips :smoking:

For a 3x3 tent, you can try TSW2000 and FC-E3000 according to your budget. They perform well.
For 2x4 tent, SP3000 is the best, and TSL2000 can also do.

Hope you have joy and harvest with indoor grow!

I haven't upgraded yet but I've been looking at the FC-E3000 more often lately due to the fact its such a great deal. my tent is 4x4 but I don't really plan to fill it to the walls. Your the perfect person to answer this question but what's the difference between the FC-E and the regular 3000?