Mars-Hydro LED Grow Light Discussion

[Icemud]

Mine look green too, I always thought they were When I take a high def pic they come out white, I never even looked before.

I'm curious when the Mars II 400w model spectrum was changed to add more blue? Why was it changed? Here is a photo of my mars II panel from Nov 2013...

 

[randy355]

btw, back to the topic of this thread Randy, were those nice buds grown under Mars lights?

why don't you have journals?

They were grown under Mars 2 and reflectors with a 60 X 5 thrown in to fill a low light area. I have not done journals due to lack of time it can be weeks before I even look at this forum

 

[Doozy]

Hi doozy just want over to your journal. I hold my hands up i went strate to the last few pages after the first page. Btw some setup you got there well dialed clean n tidy how it should be. Last page you mentioned your first actual weight and touched on what you expected the second and third stage harvest to be. Question is what was the final dry weight altogether? If it were around 500g as you thought then I get your pist with the result with that many panels although I would be happy I think. I understand also wat your saying with the 0.5gpw it does seem to be the target for most. But again see why your disappointed with it after all your training. I wouldn't give up on the leds. I would give it another bash. And I wouldn't add any more panels. For that space I think it's spot on. Specially as wall wats isn't as big of a thing with led and lumens/lux etc it's hard to find the perfect amount of light but I reakon uv got plenty. U mentioned less topping and bigging colas. Give it a go and il be sure to pull up a seat.
Iv grew for a fair few years now and iv never hit better than 0.7gpw. I recently bought a mars 2 1200. But only put it in the room a couple weeks into flower so can't get a good gauge yet vs hps. Next grows led start to finish. Sorry about the ramble
Peace

Thanks for the advice friend. I'm certainly not going to throw these panels away as i've invested quite a lot of money in them, but with my type of setup i would expect around 1gpw if i'm dialed in. I really don't think that's too much too ask after all the work that has gone in to making that kind of tent.

In answer to your question, i hit around 440g, which is around 0.4gpw. However, i turn a lot of my trim into BHO so i don't trim the smaller buds at all......so in reality i hit closer to 500.

Putting any more panels in my tent is obviosly a ridiculous suggestion, and as i said before, the Mars 2s really did perform well in veg, the plants seemed to love them and i had very few issues with heat and nute def of any kind, but the plants clearly needed something else in flower. I know this is going to sound pretentious, but i could just tell that they weren't getting what they needed from the lights to start putting real weight on.

In my position i can only do one grow a year.....my setup is taken down each grow and then re-assembled, so i really need to get as much as i can from each grow. I think these lights still have a use in making a great start to a grow (i use them all the way from seed) all the way through veg, and perhaps even throughout the stretch, but when it comes to big fat buds, i'm not convinced these lights are up to it, so i'm revertng back to HPS for that part of the grow.

I'm a big fan of LEDs, my whole house if full of LED tech, but i don't think budget grow light LED technology is quite there yet.

 

[nobodyuknow]

I'm curious when the Mars II 400w model spectrum was changed to add more blue? Why was it changed? Here is a photo of my mars II panel from Nov 2013...

My older one that I bought when they first came out under TopLED is like yours too. I remember getting the new one, and did notice that it seemed "more blue" when I used it. It never even dawned on me to actually count the LED's, and as I was showing a picture to someone else, they noticed it like you did. Since then I've noticed more people talking about it.

 

[Icemud]

Thanks for the advice friend. I'm certainly not going to throw these panels away as i've invested quite a lot of money in them, but with my type of setup i would expect around 1gpw if i'm dialed in. I really don't think that's too much too ask after all the work that has gone in to making that kind of tent.

In answer to your question, i hit around 440g, which is around 0.4gpw. However, i turn a lot of my trim into BHO so i don't trim the smaller buds at all......so in reality i hit closer to 500.

Putting any more panels in my tent is obviosly a ridiculous suggestion, and as i said before, the Mars 2s really did perform well in veg, the plants seemed to love them and i had very few issues with heat and nute def of any kind, but the plants clearly needed something else in flower. I know this is going to sound pretentious, but i could just tell that they weren't getting what they needed from the lights to start putting real weight on.

In my position i can only do one grow a year.....my setup is taken down each grow and then re-assembled, so i really need to get as much as i can from each grow. I think these lights still have a use in making a great start to a grow (i use them all the way from seed) all the way through veg, and perhaps even throughout the stretch, but when it comes to big fat buds, i'm not convinced these lights are up to it, so i'm revertng back to HPS for that part of the grow.

I'm a big fan of LEDs, my whole house if full of LED tech, but i don't think budget grow light LED technology is quite there yet.

Hey Doozy, I just took a look at your grow and see your want for a higher g/watt, have you tried lowering the lights? By the looks of it you have the 400w versions? When I checked the PPFD (PAR measurements) of the 400w panels, the ideal height was around 12-15" from the top of the canopy, anymore may not provide enough photon count to really give you the boost you are looking for. What are your lights at now in distance from the canopy? Seems like you have the right amount of lights in there, but I think if you lowered them you would have much better results. Just a suggestion for you. Hope it helps.

 

[Doozy]

Hey Doozy, I just took a look at your grow and see your want for a higher g/watt, have you tried lowering the lights? By the looks of it you have the 400w versions? When I checked the PPFD (PAR measurements) of the 400w panels, the ideal height was around 12-15" from the top of the canopy, anymore may not provide enough photon count to really give you the boost you are looking for. What are your lights at now in distance from the canopy? Seems like you have the right amount of lights in there, but I think if you lowered them you would have much better results. Just a suggestion for you. Hope it helps.

Hi Icemud, always good to hear from you! I hope you're well.

I was keeping the lights at rounghly 18-20inches from the canopy during flower.

In hindsight i should have tried different heights for all the lights and see which height works best. I did post numerous questions about the ideal height above the canopy but at the time no-one seemed to have a definitive answer so i stuck with around 18inches.

It's a good suggestion to lower them a bit so thanks for that.

Cheers.

 

[Dennise]

Good morning Sara... Just a peek inside the tent under the 2 Mars II 400's and the 144x5w reflector.....

 

[nobodyuknow]

I like those little stands you have! Where did you find them at?

 

[Dennise]

I got them at the dollar store for $3... they work great too and fit the 5 gallon smart pots perfectly....

 

[nobodyuknow]

Hey Doozy, I just took a look at your grow and see your want for a higher g/watt, have you tried lowering the lights? By the looks of it you have the 400w versions? When I checked the PPFD (PAR measurements) of the 400w panels, the ideal height was around 12-15" from the top of the canopy, anymore may not provide enough photon count to really give you the boost you are looking for. What are your lights at now in distance from the canopy? Seems like you have the right amount of lights in there, but I think if you lowered them you would have much better results. Just a suggestion for you. Hope it helps.

I always run my 400's at around 12 inches during flowering. I've never got any bleaching either, but I do always have my plants on a 16 inch turntable and rotate them daily. I did have a Northern Lights that stretched all the way to up about 6 inches to the light, and I couldnt raise the light any higher, and it never got burned or bleached. I had a small fan that blew across between the light and plant so that might've helped some.

Oh and thanks for your hard work on all your videos!

 

[nobodyuknow]

I got them at the dollar store for $3... they work great too and fit the 5 gallon smart pots perfectly....

Ok I'm gonna look there They are perfect! and

 

[CO Finest]

Well with all the Epistar led talk I have seen here I thought this would be a good time to show you all a look at the new Mars Hydro light that is going to have a option for CREE or Epistar led in it.
Here is the Epistar

And here is the CREE

Mars Hydro is going big... Keep it growing green..

 

[nobodyuknow]

Wow I havent seen these! What are the wattage on those? That first one thats flat looks very interesting!

Thanks for posting!

 

[Mars Hydro]

Morning, our new light improved with many fabulous functions, such as the remote control, dimmable, timer, flowering/ veg /sprout three period mode separately, furthermore, it can test and recollect the temperature, moisture and modes.
haha, DarkSidofMike, someone likes the curve, you can mix the angles of the lenses better, have a mix of 60, 90 and 120 degrees. Have a try, you will like them, too.

this new CREE light is amazing,

im looking everywhere to find a dimmable and spectrum control panel to suit my needs for a special very tight setting i want to try .... unfortunatly, i really dont like the "curving patern" on the sides of this new light ... dont fit my special needs at all. if the panel was normal, no curve on the sides, the small one would be perfect for my needs ....

so please tell me Sara if i can have this new panel without the strange curve on the sides

if no, will have to continu searching for the panel of my dreams ....

 

[CO Finest]

The flat one is 320 3watt Epistar so around 480 wall watts.

The curve one CREE come is 340 and 680 which is around 128 and 256 true watts, Cree needs way less to do more.

 

[Mars Hydro]

that's really so cool!

Check out my journals. My last 4 plants to come out of my flower tent under a Mars 900 and I got about 15oz of hard dense bud from 4 different strains.

 

[Mars Hydro]

Hi mungo, the leds have been controlled by different drivers inside. If one section of led goes out, it's much likely to be the problem of driver, while there is still possibility of broken leds, just to be sure, we need your help, so please swap the drivers inside and check whether the 25 leds will be on again. If they are, we will send you driver replacement. If they are not, we will send you the led diodes. If you can't fix them by yourself, you can send them to our maintenance service center.

I have a Broken mars II led. 25 of the leds are out.. what is the best action to take SmokeSara

yes, anyone here have any problem, send me an email. I will help you.

I had the same issue. Could be a bad driver. You can open it up and swap the plugs from one of the other drivers (there are 3) and see if it come on. If so, they can send you a new driver and you can fix it yourself. If not, the have repair facilities (depends where you are) that you can send it to. I would send Sara a PM with pictures of the light off and the light on.

Gorgar, thank you so much. We filmed this, haha, everybody interested can have a look. Our light is very easy to operate and fix.

This is the Mars Hydro instructional video:

 

[Mars Hydro]

Not yet, but it will not take too much time. In the middle of August, the Cree light will be for sale. I guess, very soon they will make a decision.

Have you decided on grow tests yet?

 

[Mars Hydro]

Hi sixspeedy, welcome to the thread. Reflector 96x5w can cover 4.4'x2.2' at the height of 2'. Reflector 144x5w will cover 6.6'x2.2' at the height of 2'. Reflector 96x5w will be enough for your grow tent.

What light would better suit me for my grow tent (3ftx2ftx5ft)? The 96x5 or the 144x5? Temps will be an issue but only during summer time. I only plan to do 2-3 plants max. Since the tent is more of a rectangular shape I just feel the reflector series will provide better coverage than a Mars 2 series. The 144x5 will almost be the same length of the tent which i feel like might be too much.

Thoughts?

Thanks all

MarsII700w will cover 3.5'x3.5' at the height of 2'. It will be another option for 2'x3' grow area. 2pcs Old Model 300w will give better light distribution.

96X5 will be good for 2X3 if you want medium light power. for full light power you need more and as you said 144X5 will not fit your area. a mars2 700W maybe a good option for full light power. but maybe a better option is to go with 2X old model 300W. this is what i have at home for the same area and doing very good. always better to have 2 panels instead of 1 for better light distribution. 2X 300W will be very cheap too.

 

[Mars Hydro]

Sunray, 1pcs MarsII 900w will not be suitable. The coverage of MarsII 900w is 4'x4' at the height of 2'. For 5'x5' area, MarsII 1600w is able to cover the space at the height of 2'.

Just received my first marshydro light; a 300w first gen. Very nice build quality, light output and value. I will definitely be purchasing a mars II.

Can anyone recommend what size light would be suitable for a 5' x 5' area. I was thinking a 900w?

Peace.

If you are planning on flowering in the 5x5 area, you are likely going to want a M2 1600. I use a M2 900 in my 3'6 x 3'6 area.

Yes, 4pcs MarsII 700w will cover 7'x7' area at the height of 2'. 4pcs Mars400w will be quite good for 5'x5' area.

if you want medium light power mars2 1600W will be ok for 5X5 .... if you want full light power you need 4X mars2 700W. this is a big area.