What’s the best way to approach your LED setup when you’re doing more than just buying a mass production model. Do you recommend COB’s or the Rigid Strips like (SolStrip’s) which are awesome or ….”insert your suggestion here”. You could also post a picture of your own LED setups!
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I personally use bar lights. They tend to be better for heat and light distribution. I have 2 5x5 tents and I have a Mars Hydro Fce 6500 in one with supplemental IR and UVB, and an Fce 8000 in the other. Both do great. I got them as they were the cheapest/most cost effective, though it is to be noted that fires have occured with MH lights, and there are certainly better(though more expensive) options. Mammoth, HLG, Thinkgrow, AC Infinity all are probably better and I know I’m missing others.
If anyone reading this does end up going with Mars Hydro, do not use their app for timers, they have failed on me several times and I haven’t even opened the app in years. If I had to do it all over, I would have gone with a better brand, or at least the FC series(better diodes), but my lights have served me well and done the job, so I don’t have too many complaints.
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Ty for your service
I use a mixed bag of leds
I have a 500 watt California lightworks and 2 smaller 150 watt on either side one HLG
And one /VIPARSPECTRA
In my small tent I have a vivosun 100 watt with a built in canopy fan
It’s great for my use
The technology has changed over the years all for the better ! eventually I’m gonna get rid of my 500 W light and replace all my lights with 4 each 300 watt leds
In the main area
Spider farm and HLG all seem good for my needs
The California lightworks is very heavy and can get hot
They even recommend I keep the light at 37 inches above the canopy
Over 500 watts you need to watch for heat stress I feel
Also it is essential that you add Cal mag to your feed regiment. The LED lights cause the deficiency
Good luck There’s lots to choose from
Paps
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I think he’s looking for DIY LED builds and whatnot. There are quite a few threads going over it on here. Look for threads with @Mr.Sparkle posting answers.
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What are you doing? How big a space? Why is mass produced no good?
I have an HLG and a MIGRO and I like them both but they do different things.
If you’re looking to build, I’m not the expert, but there are many here.
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I believe this is what he is looking for:
What up MGUSMC! 
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I’ve done best by mixing CMH 315W with a 200+ watt LED (or two). Although CMH is slightly less efficient than LED, the combo is really good.
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any1 with samsung lm301h or lm301evo chips , more chips the better
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Ot really depends on the size (grow area footprint) you want covered, if its a 5x5 I’d look at any of the 600+ watt bar lights id definitely recommend the ohilzon 630watt bar light if you’re in a budget, but if you want the best id go with the lumatek zeus 630w pro its an absolute workhorse it has a mixture of the Samsung and hortilab diodes.
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I don’t in any way mean to make you think that they are inferior. Probably better LEDs and spectrum than I can DIY lol. I’m just wanting to experiment.
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No no not at all. I was just curious as to why. “For fun” is a fair answer 
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