Benefits of Choosing 1000W LED Grow Light For Indoor Gardening 0

When you plan for your winter indoor growing this season, 1000W LED grow lights make a great choice to use.

LED grow light for winter will provide the light needed to get your crop all the way to harvest.

We have looked for the best 1000W LED grow lights that will help you with your indoor gardening.

Listed here are the top three 1000W LED grow lights for indoor gardening.

1. California Lightworks SolarXtreme 1000W

Manufacturers Description

The SolarXtreme 1000 is an easy to use full-spectrum LED grow light designed especially for grow tents and smaller-scale home growing. 

Covering 25 square feet, it is one of California Lightworks most productivity-enhancing LED grow lights.

The SolarXtreme series uses a revolutionary new generation of COB (chip on board), as well as new direct AC drive technology, which eliminates the need for LED drivers that can turn large LED lights into energy guzzlers. 

This offers high-efficiency LEDs at a much lower cost than traditional LEDs. This fixture puts out a full spectrum suitable for all phases of growth without the need for adjusting.

Our newest horticultural LED lights suit different types of growing operations. If you're looking for full-spectrum LED lights to use indoors, this is one of the most efficient and effective products on the market.

A low heat signature not only conserves energy but protects your yield as well. Precise controls enable you to use the SolarXtreme 1000 with all types of indoor plants, flowers, and vegetables. 

This system enables more yield per power draw than any other indoor LED grow lights built for such a wide range of yields and applications.

2. Black Dog LED PhytoMAX-2 1000 LED Grow Light

Manufacturers Description

At 1015 actual watts, and 1602 μMol/s total photon flux, the patent-pending PhytoMAX-2 1000 LED grow lights are the most powerful LED grow lights available worldwide.

The PhytoMAX-2 series by Black Dog LED delivers the most powerful and reliable, truly full-spectrum (365-750nm, UV to NIR) LED plant grow lights! 

The PhytoMAX-2 1000 uses only the highest-quality, latest-technology, top-bin LEDs to deliver Black Dog LED's proprietary full-cycle Phyto-Genesis Spectrum™ evenly over the entire footprint, with unprecedented PAR levels, canopy penetration, and yields!

More Than Replaces any double-ended (DE) 1240W HID (HPS/MH)

• Producing a superior yield with higher quality flowers
• Increases yield by 60% or more over a 1000W HPS
• Saves on electrical, cooling, reflector and bulb replacement costs

420 High-Output 5-watt LEDs

• Every top-bin LED is selected from the industry leader for the particular wavelength, including Cree, Osram, etc.
• Glass lenses provide durability and are easy to clean
• High light intensity crucial for canopy penetration
• Even coverage eliminates leaf burn and hot spots

1050 True Watts - 2100 LED Watts

• The PhytoMAX-2 1000 LED grow lights are the brightest, highest-power LED grow light on the market

Largest Proven Footprint of any LED Grow Light

• Up to 6.5' X 6.5' (42 square feet!) of flowering footprint coverage!
• Proven by independent spectroradiometer testing

Phyto-Genesis Spectrum™

The most efficient spectrum for growing plants, based on over 6 years of research and testing, outperforming HPS, MH, CMH (LEC), induction, fluorescent, and "white", so-called "full-spectrum" LEDs in equal wattage tests.

One ideal spectrum for both vegetative and flowering stages eliminates growth stalling associated with spectrum changes such as switching from MH to HPS

True full spectrum ranging from UVA to NIR (365-750nm) goes Beyond PAR™ for ultimate flowering and vegetative plant cycles

Appears white to human eyes, allowing easy determination of plant health

Targets not only photosynthetic peaks but also:

Increases antioxidants / vitamins and pigmentation with UV light

Includes near infrared (NIR) light to boost photosynthetic efficiency through the Emerson Effect

Decreases internodal spacing to direct more of your plants' energy to flowers and leaves, instead of stems

• ETL certified to UL safety standards
• Unique no-glass design delivers up to 8% more light to your plants
• The best active heat management in the industry, crucial to maximizing LED efficiency,life, and spectrum stability
• Largest heat sink in the industry for superior cooling and increased LED life.
• Ultra quiet, long-life fans: 70,000+ hour rated lifespan

Fast, Proven ROI

With a 6-12 month average return on investment, PhytoMAX-2 LED grow lights are the best value per watt of any commercial LED grow light

In Addition:

• Metal adjustable ratcheting 8-foot light hangers
• Industry Leading 5 Year Warranty

Once you grow with a PhytoMAX-2, you'll understand why people say HID is a thing of the past!

3. Mars Hydro Mars TS 1000 Quantum Board LED Grow Light

The Mars Hydro LED light will look like and mimic sunlight. The thin metal frame holds numerous LED chips inside. 

The chips will come in both red and blue color spectrum, but the light shining over your plants will be yellow. 

The Mars Hydro is an energy-efficient light, and the light's height can be adjusted as needed.

Manufacturers Description 

The newest line of Mars Hydro LEDs are their best LED grow lights yet. You get full spectrum white light, high quality quantum boards, an upgraded power supply, and it all runs completely silent (no fan required). Buy the TS series today!

Free Ratchet hanger included

• Actual Power: 150W+/-5%@100--277V
• Coverage:Veg:3'x3'(90x90cm); Bloom:2'x2'(60x60cm)
• Compared to HPS/MH/HID:250W
• Average Yields: 1.5g/W
• PPE:2.1--2.35umol/J

About 1000w LED Grow Lights

You may wonder what an LED grow light is. A grow light is a light that generates low heat and is an energy-efficient light source. 

LED's are extensively used for growing in an indoor garden and are very useful for this purpose as they use a customizable spectrum of light.

An LED (light-emitting diode) is a type of lightbulb that was created back in 1962. They work as a semi-conductor by releasing energy in the form of photons.

Light On The Spectrum That Humans Can See

Your eyes can see color over wavelengths that range from about 400 nanometers (this would be violet) to about 700 nanometers (this would be red). 

This range of light, from 400 - 700 nanometers, is called visible light of the visible spectrum. 

Light in the range outside of this spectrum may be visible to other organisms, but the human eye will not perceive it.

The wavelengths of visible light are:

• Violet: 380 - 450 nm
• Blue: 450- 495 nm
• Green: 495 - 570 nm
• Yellow: 570 - 590 nm
• Orange: 590 - 620
• Red: 620 - 750 nm

Light Spectrum Of An LED Grow Light

An LED grow light has a wide spectrum range, which is why they are used so extensively in growing operations. 

They emit a warm white, soft white, or bright white colors. An LED grow light can contain other colors as well, such as red, blue, and green.

When doing winter indoor growing, it is essential to know the role that light plays in a plant's growth cycle. Then you will know what your plants need.

The wattage of a fixture is the amount of electricity that the fixture will use. A fixture that lets you turn off LED's, dim them, or put them on a timer will help you conserve electricity when it is not needed.

When considering a LED grow light, take into account the color of the light and how customizable it is.

White LEDs and Colored LEDs

As with any product, there are those users who feel that white LEDs are the best and those who swear by colored LEDs. 

It may be a matter of opinion, but there is something to be said for each type, and you will need to decide for yourself which will work best for your situation.

Those who use all-white LEDs do so because they feel that this spectrum is the closest to natural light because of its similarity to the sun. 

When your plants are growing under white lights, it is also easier to inspect them. Plants look natural under white light. You will be able to pick up on any wilting or discoloration much easier with white lights.

Those who do not prefer white lights will point out that white light is mainly green and yellow. 

Plants minimally use these two lights, and therefore some people think that you are wasting electricity and energy when using white lights. 

While white light might mimic the sun, sunlight is free, but you will have to pay for the electricity you use when white lights are used in a growing operation.

Customized LED Grow Lights

There are LED lights that have separate modes, and so you can use one mode for the veg stage and a different mode for the bloom stage. These types of lights give you more control over the spectrum. 

The other advantage of having separate modes for your lights is that plants don't need as much light during the vegging stage as they do during flowering. 

Plants need even less during cloning. When you can dial back on the amount of light that you need, you use less power. Less power used means a lower electric bill.

While all of that sounds great, there is a downside. You will save in lower energy consumption and electric bills, but your overall growing cycle will be longer. 

This happens because when you change the color spectrum mid-grow, the plants have to adjust to the shock of the change. 

They will stall in the growth process from a few days to as long as two weeks. But you will still have to run the lights and make sure the plants get the nutrients they need. 

You will still save money in the long run, but if shorter grow times are important to you, it will be important to consider this when deciding what type of lights to use.

What To Look For When Buying a 1000w LED Grow Light

Reputable Brand

Your LED lights will be an investment, and you want them to last. When you are interested in a light, check out the brand. 

Check to see if they have a website or other social media channels. Look at reviews on the products to see what other buyers are saying. 

In particular, what type of customer service do they have? You will want to be able to contact the manufacturer if you need support or have questions about the LED light you purchased.

Check out the Specifications

Cross-reference the spec and information on the LED light you are interested in across different sites. 

Look on YouTube to see if there are videos that show how the light was tested and how it works when put in use. Some makers will list their light as 1500W light when in actuality, it has 100 diodes at 15 W each. 

The most crucial factor in a grow light is how much light it emits. The accurate way of measuring light output is by measuring the PPFD.

PPFD is photosynthetic photon flux density. It is the amount of light that actually reaches your plants, it can also be considered the number of photosynthetically active photons taht fall on a given surface (your plants) each second. 

Budget

Know before you start looking for LED grow lights how much you can afford to spend. 

As a rule of thumb, you will need to spend about $100 on a grow light that will produce enough light for one or two plants, and $150 - $200 for a light that will cover two to four plants. 

Usually, the higher the grow light price, the more light and better coverage you will get. 

That equates to more plants and a bigger harvest. Smaller, inexpensive lights will work well for herbs and spices, but if you want to grow larger plants, you will need more light and larger grow lights.

In Conclusion

Before you purchase an LED grow light, it is best to educate yourself to understand the basics of how lights work. 

Learn about the light spectrum and what it takes to grow plants from seeds to harvest. 

If you understand the growing process, you will be better able to make wise decisions regarding the LED grow lights you purchase.

FAQ

How do you take care of a grow light?

LED grow lights have a long lifespan. Use a power strip that has surge protection when plugging them in. Avoid using LED lights in an area that will have a lot of moisture or humidity. 

Never hose your lights down. As with anything electrical, you will need to protect your LED lights from water and humidity.

How far from plants do you position an LED grow light?

Check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend. If you don't have access to that information, here are some general suggestions for the height that you should hang the LED light above plants:

200w LED grow light:

• 12 - 20 inches for vegging stage
• 8 - 10 inches for blooming stage

600w LED grow light:

• 30 - 38 inches for vegging stage
• 18 - 30 for blooming stage

1000w LED grow light:

• 36 - 46 inches for vegging stage
• 21 - 36 inches for blooming stage

Deciding Which LED Grow Lights Are Best For Your Winter Indoor Gardening 0

With winter upon us, it is the best time to choose your LED grow lights for winter. Plants need a full-color spectrum to grow correctly, especially when you are doing winter indoor growing.

LED grow lights make growing indoors in winter easy to do. The LED lights are specially designed to simulate the natural light that plants need to complete an entire growth cycle.

From seedlings to harvest, LED grow lights offer the latest technology and are extremely energy efficient.

We have listed 11 LED grow lights that range in size and cost to help you decide which one will be ideal for your winter indoor growing operation. 

The 11 Best Grow Lights For Your Winter Indoor Growing

Number 1: Optic LED Optic 1 COB Grow Light | White Spectrum LED

Manufacturer Description

Optic 1 Patent Pending 54 watt full Spectrum LED Grow Light. The Most efficient COB in the Optic LED Lineup is coming in at efficacy 2.15. 

Harnessing the CREE XLamp® CXB-3590 with a glass projection lens to spot beam the light into your desired grow area, maximizing your yields. 

Passively cooled by an overbuilt pin fin heatsink Optic 1 emits very little heat making your environment easier to manage. 

Optic 1 comes in daylight white 3500k color temperature, which does amazing in flowering and does really well in VEG as it has a well-balanced Spectrum.

The XLamp® CXB3590 LED Array is the brightest member of the second generation of the CXA family that delivers up to 30% higher efficiency and up to 20% higher lumens than the first generation in the same Light Emitting Surface. 

The CXB3590 LED delivers high lumen output and high efficiency in a single, easy-to-use Chip that is designed to last many years. 

2.15 umol/watt efficiency rating puts Optic 1 at the Top of the charts in efficiency for LED Grow Lights today.

Number 2:  Mars Hydro TS 1000 Quantum Board LED Grow Light

Manufacturer Description

The newest line of Mars Hydro LEDs are their best LED grow lights yet. You get full-spectrum white light, high-quality quantum boards, an upgraded power supply, and it all runs completely silent (no fan required). Buy the TS series today!

Free Ratchet hanger included

Actual Power: 150W+/-5%@100--277V

Coverage:Veg:3'x3'(90x90cm); Bloom:2'x2'(60x60cm)

Compared to HPS/MH/HID:250W

Average Yields: 1.5g/W

PPE:2.1--2.35umol/J

Number 3: California Lightworks SolarExtreme 250W COB LED Grow Light Online

Manufacturer Description

The SolarXtreme 250 is one of California Lightworks easiest to use full-spectrum LED grow lights. Designed especially for grow tents and smaller-scale home growing.

The SolarXtreme series features a COB (chip on board) design and utilizes a direct AC drive, so LED drivers are not needed. 

This enables high-efficiency LEDs to be used at a much lower cost than traditional LEDs. 

Users, therefore, benefit from full-spectrum grow lights that accommodate all stages of plant growth and flowering for many types of indoor plants, vegetables, and flowers. 

No adjustments are needed during the growing cycle.

California Lightworks horticultural LED lights have been developed based on years of research and knowledge of photosynthesis and biological processes. 

The SolarXtreme 250 represents a convenient innovation in indoor LED grow lights suited for smaller cultivations and users who wish to conserve on power draw.

Best of all, just mount the unit, plug it in, and start growing!

Number 4: Spectrum King Closet Case 140W LED Grow Light

Manufacturer Description

Start saving on your power bill today with The Closet Case 140W LED Grow Light, designed to work for both veg and bloom.

The Spectrum King Closet Case 140W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light that is proudly made in the USA.

It easily replaces 400 Watt HPS and 315 CMH setups while reducing power consumption by 60% and producing substantially less heat.

The Closet Case is made for smaller grow spaces and shorter plants, can be used for BOTH vegetative growth and flowering, and is all you need to grow from seed to harvest.

Coverage Area: 9 sq ft (3 ft x 3 ft)

Safety Certified and IP65 Rated. With a specially designed rugged waterproof housing. It's designed for use in wet and humid conditions and fit for indoor and outdoor use.

The closet case's efficient heat sink minimizes radiant heat, which can be problematic in small tent environments.

Its specially designed 90-degree reflectors spread light evenly to your plants.

Comes with a six-foot power cord, hanging clips and bracket for easy installation.

Number 5: Dorm Grow G8LED 240 Watt Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Veg/Flower

Manufacturer Description

The G8-240 Full Spectrum LED Veg/Flower grow light is G8LED's most popular grow light.

This 240W grow light has the growing power of 400 Watts of an HID (HPS or MH) System.

This light is for vegetative growth & flowering cycles and provides intense coverage for a minimum of 6 square feet and greater.

Place two or more 3 feet on center and increase the grow area per light from cross coverage.

Add a 90W Red UFO during flowering for max yield. Penetration up to 60 inches past the plant canopy.

G8LEDs use high-quality Infrared diodes which output a nearly invisible wavelength beyond the light spectrum.

With electrical savings of about 300 watts per hour, this light will continually save electricity over its 50,000 hour lifetime.

G8LED has formulated and tested the ideal color ratio with 8 bands of the color spectrum including Infrared (IR), Ultraviolet plus 6000K white.

G8LED Lights come with a 90 day money back guarantee, stellar Customer Service, and a 2 year warranty serviced directly by G8LED.

Make the smart investment for your indoor growing hobby or business with a genuine G8LED indoor grow light.

Hanging wires included. There is no need for a ballast and no need to vent extra heat. Control your environment temperature better.

Number 6: Lush Lighting Lumenator 2X LED Grow Light

Manufacturer Description

The Lumenator 2X is a compact high intensity LED grow light designed specifically for all stages of plant growth. 

The 190w Lumenator 2X will fuel your plants with the same highly energetic photons that come from the sun and the Dominator series. 

Increase your yield while decreasing your cost. This unique spectrum will reward you with healthier plants that grow faster. 

Reduce nutrients to natural levels and allow the plant to split more water molecules for energy.

We invest time and money for research behind all phases of plant growth, from root development and vegetation to flowering and blooming. 

We have researched how these phases of development occur in natural sunlight and which light-bands or spectrums promote the best growth. 

This information helped us to engineer our products to create the perfect blend of color spectrums to optimize your plant's production of chemical energy. 

It's the science behind Lush Lighting that makes our lights not only the best LEDs but the best grow lights on the market!

Number 7: Kind K3 Series2 XL300 LED Grow Light

Manufacturer Description

The NEW K3 XL Series from KIND LED will improve nearly every aspect of your grow

The all new K3 XL Series is designed with the hobbyist, home grower in mind, but packs the punch of the perfectly tuned spectrum and intensity commercial growers have come to rely upon from the award-winning K5 Series, providing unmatched quality and yield at harvest.

Taking cues from it's best-in-class big brother, the NEW K3 XL Series offers the same unprecedented results as the K5 Series with secondary optical lenses and a new expanded perfect 12-band spectrum in an easy to use, plug n' play, seed to harvest fixture.

Amplified quality and potency, with newly enhanced UV diodes to increase terpene and flavor profiles.

Significantly increase flower density and harvest weight with re-calibrated secondary optical lenses that focus light intensity and deliver 200% greater canopy penetration.

Optimized diode distribution reduces the hots spots commonly found in LED grow lights, resulting in balanced, rapid growth across the entire footprint.

Lifetime professional grow support so you never have to grow alone.

Number 8: Mars Hydro SP-3000 Quantum Board Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

Manufacturer Description

Best-Selling Samsung LM301B Leds 960pcss Samsung LM301B and Osram 660nm led chips, higher quality & more efficiency.

Upgraded Sunlike Full Spectrum More warm white and red chips added, extremely good for plants at all stages from veg to bloom.

Boom Yield & Increasing Crop Quality High PPFD at 2.8 umol/j, average yield at 1.8g/w, increasing your yield 50% or more compared with old blurple and HPS lights.

Daisy Chain Dimming Function Dimmer knob added, more convenient to adjust the brightness. Up to 15 lights can be daisy-chained and control together on just one light.

No-fan Design & Aluminum Heatsink & Removable Driver No fan design, no noise. A whole layer of the aluminum heatsink achieves optimal heat dissipation. Removable driver and 2m extension cord help lower the growing room temperature.

IP 65 Waterproof IP65 waterproof ratings, worry-free in a high humidity growing environment.

Number 9: Electric Sky ES300 LED Grow Light Online

Manufacturer Description

The Electric Sky 300 V2 (ES300 V2) is a powerful 300-watt grow light that flowers up to a 2.5'x5′ area. 

It features a wideband spectrum with a color ratio tuned for rapid vegetative growth and heavy flower yield. 

Light is projected in two directions from linear lenses to form a rectangle. A distributed design allows for maximum headroom. 

Version 2 builds upon the original Electric Sky 300's success, with greater brightness for intense light output. Designed for serious home growers or commercial applications.

Number 10: Spectrum King SK402 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light 

Manufacturer Description

All white, highly reflective 460 Watt Patent Pending Full Spectrum LED Grow Light made in the USA. The all around white coating gives better intensity on the outer edge of your canopy.

Can be used for both vegetative and flower growth.

Perfect for plants that are particularly sensitive while only using a fraction of the energy.

The SK402 LED Grow Light Covers 16 Sq ft during flower ( 4×4 feet ), and 36 Square feet for Vegetables, larger than any other LED Grow Light.

Safety Certified and IP65 Rated. With water resistant housing the SK402 LED Grow Light is perfect for wet and humid environments.

Guaranteed to lower your overall ambient room temperature.

Comes with Dual Warranty: SK402 is guaranteed to maintain 90% or better light output for 3 YEARS* with regular use plus a 5 YEAR Mechanical warranty on all parts and labor.

Has a mounting loop on top, you can add a special hanging bracket.

You can choose to add a manual dimmer which enables turning the power down to as low as 10% power for more control when needed.

Number 11: NextLight Mega 650W LED Grow Light

Manufacturer Description

This bright white LED grow light is named "Mega" not for its size but for the increased production and large footprint it will supply to your canopy.

Using only 650 watts, this light is perfect for growers looking to cover larger areas using less. This unit is part of the NextLight Commercial Series. 

This distinction means each unit is covered by a 5 year full manufacturer's warranty, has a 100,000 hour life rating, is UL listed and you will never have to change a bulb again.

The Mega is designed to meet the needs of commercial and home growers alike. We understand excessive power consumption, bulb replacements, and heat are the biggest problems indoor growers face. 

The NextLight Commercial Series alleviates all of those issues. Coming in at 2.15 PPF/Watt, the Mega is the most efficient full spectrum LED, period.

NextLight's Full Spectrum provides the same sun-like qualities plants love without the negatives of high energy requirements and high heat.

Using NextLight's Full Spectrum you will see faster growth, tighter internodal spacing and increased production overall.

Includes 120V and 240V High Voltage power cords.

This unit has a daisy chain option: do NOT daisy chain more than 2 Mega fixtures per 15 amp 120 volt circuit and no more than 4 Mega fixtures per any 240 volt circuit.

In Conclusion

Consider your unique growing needs and then match those needs to the grow light that best suits the conditions. 

Your winter indoor growing will be more effective when you operate and position  LED grow lights to maximum efficiency.

During the winter months, life tends to slow down a bit as we spend more time indoors. 

This makes the season an ideal time to use LED grow lights for the winter when you will be able to devote more of your time to your plants.

Good Finds: The Best Cheap LED Grow Lights For You 0

There are cheap grow lights available for those of us on a budget, but just because it is cheap, you can still get a quality built light for less money. 

You want to find a light that is low in cost but not low quality in construction or materials.

We have put together a list of cheap grow lights that still provide a quality product although they are less expensive. 

Optic LED 1 Veg COB Grow Light 5000k $129.00

Manufacturer’s Description:

The Optic 1 VEG is equipped with a CREE XLamp® COB Led on a passive pin heatsink and Meanwell Driver running @54W continuous. 

This light gives you the full spectrum white light technology at 5000k color temperature, ideal for vegetable growth. 

Optic 1 is plug and play ready, features a hanging hook on the top side, which easily attaches to your ratchet hanger.

The XLamp® CXB3590 LED Array is the brightest member of the second generation of the CXA family that delivers up to 30% higher efficiency and up to 20% higher lumens than the first generation in the same LES. 

The CXB3590 LED delivers high lumen output and high efficacy in a single, easy-to-use package that eliminates the need for reflow soldering. 2.15 umol/watt efficiency rating along with the 3' x 3' 

Coverage area makes this 1 of the best choices for VEGGING a 3' x 3' area. 

High-quality glass optics spot beams the light into a concentrated area, further enhancing the light intensity, Par output & light penetration by up to 200%. 

California Lightworks Solar System UVB Grow Light $139.00

Manufacturer’s Description:

The SolarSystem features the latest generation high output UVB T8 fluorescent bulbs as well as the most versatile control system on the market. 

This system is perfect for a single light in a tent or several hundred lights in a large commercial operation. 

The T8 Fluorescent will help to improve the resin development and potency. This system also has a piggyback design that means you can install multiple lights from a single outlet.  

It offers a four by four-foot coverage and is the most effective when used during the last few weeks of flowering. 

Mars Hydro SP-150 Quantum Board Full Spectrum LED Grow Light $139.99

Manufacturer’s Description:

Waterproof LED board for the Mars SP 150 growing lamp works within a high humidity greenhouse growing environment. 

This Mars Hydro grow light has a 50% longer lifespan compared with other brand lights.

Newest SMD LED technology can get an average yield at 1.8g/w (power draw), 2.75μmol/J. 

This will help you increase your yield by about 50% when compared with other 250w led grow lights.

This efficient grow light uses only 135W with 322 LEDs. The Mars Hydro saves up to 70% energy than other led plant lights. 

One light is perfect for a 2x2ft growing area, and four will cover a 4x4ft growing area.

The casing is a heat sink, and with a fanless design, it will make your growing life easy and quiet. With no noise, this grow light is suitable for indoor plants growing.

Mars Hydro TS 1000 Quantum Board LED Grow Light  $139.99

Manufacturer’s Description:

The newest line of Mars Hydro LEDs is their best LED grow lights yet. 

You get full spectrum white light, high-quality quantum boards, an upgraded power supply, and it all runs completely silent with no fan required. 

The TS 1000 will provide you with two by two feet of light coverage with a white light spectrum.

The Mars Hydro has a dimmable ballast and 500 uMol needed for the vegetative stage. 

There is a single outlet timer so that the light does not need to be unplugged at the end of each day’s light cycle.  

Kind LED X-series Bar Grow Light $169.95

Manufacturer’s Description:

The X40 and X80 are the most versatile LED bars lights on the market. 

With a wide-angle footprint and Perfect Blend Ideal Spectrum, the X-Series bar lights will be the ideal addition to any seedling, propagation, mixed-light, supplemental, complete indoor, or greenhouse application.

The X-SERIES Bar Lights were designed with the utmost versatility in mind. With an IP65 rating and ETL listing, its applications limitless possibilities open up to the grower.

Perfect Blend Spectrum available in either flower or vegetative integrations provides ideal photon emissions in every essential wavelength along the photosynthetic spectrum.

Perfectly tuned photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) delivers optimal concentration and quantity of photon energy from canopy surface to the plant's base.

From propagation to harvest, leafy greens to fruit-bearing, greenhouse to indoor, the X-Series bar lights will take any growth to the next level and beyond.

Optic LED Optic 1 XL COB LED Grow Light 100w 3500k $179.00

Manufacturer’s Description:

Optic 1 XL 100w COB LED Grow Light utilizes the latest in technology at every level. 

Starting with CREE's most efficient & highest yielding COB to date, the CXB-3590, which illuminates your grow space in our daylight white color temperature. 

The passive cooling system has been overbuilt by 25% to help the light run cooler and extend the lifespan of the COB. 

Industry best Meanwell Driver pumps 100 actual watts of high power growing through CREE's USA Made COB. 

Modern-day glass lens technology allows us to spot beam every photon into our desired coverage area while giving you unprecedented canopy penetration resulting in more developed flowers deeper into your canopy and higher-end yields. 

High-quality Glass Optics can magnify PAR and increase canopy penetration by up to 200%.

Optic LED 1 XL 100W Dimmable COB Grow Light $189.00

Manufacturer’s Description:

Optic 1 XL Dimmable COB LED Grow Light utilizes the highest quality components in COB LED Tech today. 

Starting with CREE's most efficient and proven highest yielding COB LED Chip to date, the USA Made X-Lamp CXB-3590. CREE's COB LED chips last forever, and CREE is backing every one of their COBs with a lifetime replacement warranty. 

The Xlamp CXB3590 is still 1 of the most efficient LED technologies on the market, boasting powerful PPFD numbers helping to propel your garden to the next level. 

CREE's Full Spectrum white light technology not only delivers the spectrum your plants will love and absorb easily but also illuminates your growth in a 3500k Daylight White overall color temperature making your plants appear green just as they are in mother nature. 

The ultimate in Low Key growing with fanless technology delivers a noiseless operation that keeps you flying under the radar. 

Optic 1XL cooling system has been overbuilt by more than 25% to help the light run cooler, Shine brighter & last longer. 

Industry-best, commercial-grade Meanwell dimmable driver pumps 100 true watts of high power growing through CREE's USA Made COB LED Chip. 

Modern-day glass lens technology allows us to spot beam every photon generated into our desired coverage area while giving you unprecedented canopy penetration resulting in more developed flowers deeper into your canopy and higher-end yields.

How Does a Grow Light Work?

A grow light mimics the light wavelengths that plants of all kinds use for their growth from seedlings to vegetation. 

Used indoors, a grow light provides an electromagnetic spectrum similar to that of the sun. 

Typically used for indoor gardening, a grow light is used extensively for such operations that include hydroponics and aquaponics.

Know About The Light Spectrum

All green plants require light to grow. Light is necessary for the process of photosynthesis, as this is how plants synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

The light spectrum gets its definition by the temperature wavelength emitted by the colors, both visible and non-visible, that sunlight provides.

Most of the light that plants use is from the blue (cool) and red (warm) spectrum. Blue light will stimulate vegetative growth like the leaves and the roots on a plant. 

The red light in the spectrum will enable the plant to produce flowers and fruit. 

The amount of light that a plant needs to thrive will vary widely depending on the type of plant. 

Get The Needed Spectrum Light From Cheap Grow Lights

Grow lights provide the lighting needs for your plants. That is why it is necessary to know what type of light your plants need and what bulbs will deliver that light. 

You will find that early growth and maturity do better with warmer, short wavelengths of light. That would be towards the blue end of the spectrum. 

When it comes time for bloom and plant production, it is the time for the wavelengths found in the spectrum's red end.

Grow lights give you the ability to control what light your plants receive throughout all the growth stages. 

Growing Indoors

As an indoor grower, it is important to know a few basic concepts about lighting in general so that you understand how light affects your plants. 

When you know this, you will also be able to see what makes a particular type of grow light more suitable for your goals. In turn, this will save you time and money.

Light, both visible and invisible, falls in a range somewhere on a light spectrum. Spectrum measurements are nanometers. 

These nanometers correspond to the wavelength of light. As an indoor grower, you will need the 400 - 700-nanometer range.

Lighting terms

Light Intensity

The amount of light that reaches a surface (or plant) at any given distance from the light sources itself is called intensity. 

This is important to understand because a very bright bulb that is a foot away from a plant would provide the same light intensity as a dimmer bulb that is only two inches from the plant. 

So the intensity of a light bulb is important. The more intensity, the farther away from the plant, the light can be positioned.

The best cheap grow lights will deliver a light intensity that is enough for your plants to be able to grow from seeds to harvest. 

To do that will mean that you need 20 to 40 moles of light every day. You will want a grow light that will emit somewhere between 600 uMols and 925 uMols of light for a maximum yield. 

That will cover the 18 hour vegetation and 12-hour flowering that you need for your plants. 

If your grow lights have sufficient intensity, then the wattage is not a factor that you need to concern yourself with as wattage is not an accurate indicator of performance when it comes to grow lights. 

Duration

Most grow lights will have an on and off switch, but some have timers. In lighting terms, the duration is the number of hours that a plant receives light in a 24 hour period. 

You will need to know the duration of light required by the plants you are wanting to grow. 

Color

The third lighting term that is important to know is color. This is simply the visual appearance of the grow light. 

Most, but not all, grow lights provide the full-spectrum light. As we had said previously, plants use blue and red ends of the spectrum. 

They use a little, but not as much, of yellow and green light. 

Consider The Stages of Plant Growth You Need Light For

If you are on a budget and trying to find cheap grow lights, you still need to provide the specific light that your growing plants will need. 

Consider the various stages of plant growth, especially if you are growing from seedlings.

LED Lights Are The Best For Growing Plants

The calibration on most LED lights meets the exact needs of an indoor plant. The blue lights will simulate stronger roots, enhance photosynthesis, and give peak growth. 

As a bonus, LED lights let off very little heat.

While LEDs may cost more upfront, there are still cheap LED grow lights that you can find. They are definitely the way to go. 

LED's use half the electricity and last five times longer than a fluorescent bulb, which would be your other choice for growing.

Not only is an LED good for your budget, but it is also good for the earth. 

LED tubes are mercury-free, and they don't shatter like glass. Fewer LED lights end up in landfills, which is a very good thing.

What to Look For When Buying a Cheap Grow Light

Good Spectrum

The best cheap grow light will have a balanced spectrum. Try not to choose a light that has too much blue or too much red. 

That will not give you enough to get through the veg or flower stage of growth.

In general, a good cheap grow light will use a white spectrum or use a balance of blue and red. 

Check it out by looking at the spectrum chart for the light you are considering. 

Size of The Cheap Grow Light

One of the first considerations when choosing a grow light is the number of plants that you will need cover for. 

Most cheap grow lights won’t cover much more than a 2 x 2-foot area. If you need more coverage than that, you will have to consider getting multiple units. 

Also, take into consideration if you will leave the plants in one location or if you might need to move them from place to place. 

If you need to move them, look for a cheap grow light that will be lightweight and portable. 

Type of Cheap Grow Light

There are various types of grow lights to consider. Some hang from overhead; there are panels or ones that will screw into a regular fixture. 

Take into consideration the type of plants you will be growing, if there will be any existing natural light, and where you want your plants located. 

That will help you determine what type of light would be best suited for your operation. 

Size of Your Space For Growing

The space you will have available for your growth will also influence the type of cheap grow light you will look for. 

The more that you grow, the more lights you will need. Even with cheap grow lights, that cost can add up quickly. 

Before you buy, know the footprint size that the light provides and what you need to cover.

In Conclusion

There are cheap, but quality, grow lights available to suit your needs. Before you buy, make sure that the light will do what you need it to do.

A bit of research before purchasing will help you choose the right cheap grow light and save you time and money.

FAQ

Which cheap LED grow lights should I avoid?

Avoid the cheap grow lights that emit less than 400 uMol and cover a small space that is only about one foot. 

Don't get any that have an unbalanced spectrum, for example, only red or only blue. It isn't easy to find a good grow light for less than $100.

When I buy LEDs, should I buy them based on watts or lumens?

It is best to buy based on lumens; watts determine how much energy it takes to produce those lumens. The higher the lumens, the less energy you will need to produce the light.

What Is CRI?

CRI stands for Color Rendering Index. It is a measurement of the quality of light. CRI measures on a scale that runs from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best number. 

LED's are usually in the 70 to 95 range, with the higher the CRI, the more expensive the LED chip, and the more expensive the product itself.

Wet vs. Dry Trimmer: Which Theory Holds Water? 0

Whether with a large or small operation, any grower will tell you that there is a lot involved with the process of growing buds. 

There are numerous steps along the way, from planting seeds to harvesting and curing your flower.

All of the steps are important and have their challenges, but the one step that gets your bud from a grow house to shelves involves trimming.

Again, there are important factors along the way, but during the trimming process, all of your previous work comes to fruition. 

If this step in the process goes awry, then all that came before was wasted time, effort, and money. 

This part is where harvested buds are trimmed and prepped for curing and for sale.

Bud trimming is the process that removes the unwanted plant material that is around the bud. Curing comes after trimming.

There are two methods for trimming buds. Like many other things in life, there is a genuine debate over which practice is best; wet trimming or dry trimming. 

As both methods are employed, it would seem that there is no one clear winner over the other. 

It may be more a case of personal preference. A bit like Coke over Pepsi. 

It may also just come down to taste. Let's look at both wet and dry trimming and what they entail.

Why Are Buds Trimmed?

Aesthetic Appeal

One of the reasons is that the product looks better. If you are going to be selling, this will be important to you. 

There are many sellers out there that trim their product, and if yours does not look as good as theirs, yours probably won't sell as readily.

Smoother Going Down

The leaves left on can lead to an end product that is not very smooth. 

It can be an irritant to the throat. This is of particular importance to those who use the product for medical purposes.

Leaves Not As Potent

Most of the concentration is in the buds, not in the leaves. Growers would rather have more yield per gram when leaves are processed separately. 

Trimming increases the potency of the end product.

Before we discuss both wet and dry trimmers' pros and cons, we will look at the trimmers themselves. Starting from largest to smallest, here are trimmers that will help with your harvest.

Centurion Pro Mini Trimmer

Product description Per Manufacturer:

The CenturionPro Mini replaces 15 human trimmers without sacrificing quality.

It has a processing capacity of 12 - 16 lbs dry per hour (60 - 80 lbs wet). It might be called "Mini," but it is a true powerhouse that is perfect for small to medium-size operations that are looking to streamline their process.

The Mini runs completely off of 120-volt power and includes a 1.5 hp leaf collector system with 2000 CFM of suction power. This makes for tighter cuts.

The Toro hardened steel cutting reel has 11 high-quality blades, twice as many as the competition. The Centurion triple-bag system for keif and trim allows you to collect both and process them for even greater profits, so you can get the absolute most out of your product.

Like all CenturionPro trimming machines, the Mini can handle both wet and dry products. It ships with two hybrid tumblers that are designed for both wet and dry trimming.

Having two means no downtime for cleaning. Simply swap them out and continue trimming with the second tumbler while you clean the first.

Centurion Pro Tabletop Trimmer

Product Description Per Manufacturer:

The Centurion Tabletop Pro is the smallest, most efficient tumble style trimmer in the world. Includes both Wet and Dry Electropolished Tumblers. 

This machine sits at a trim 24'' in length x 10'' width x 21'' in height. Weighing only 35 lbs, this trimmer is the epitome of elegant engineering at its finest. 

Built for the connoisseur who admires the finer things in life, this machine was designed to be the most delicate machine on the market today.

Don't be fooled by the size; the Tabletop Pro replaces over six human trimmers without sacrificing quality. 

This trimmer is currently being shipped World Wide to small growers who demand quality, durability, and privacy. 

This machine works with wet flowers and will harvest 15-20 lbs wet per hour of use. The Tabletop Pro runs completely off 120v power and comes with a strong 1hp leaf collector with 1800 CFM of suction power.

Another quality of the Tabletop Pro is ease of keeping the blade clean, which is made out of D2 hardened steel. 

Unlike any other brand on the market, The Centurion Tabletop Pro employs a magnetic blade holding technology that allows for a five-minute clean-up during operation, ensuring the machine has a consistently sharp, clean-cut and operates at a rapid pace.

The Centurion brand is the only machine in the world that comes inclusive with a non-stick QuanTanium Coated tumbler. 

The non-stick properties of the QuanTanium tumbler prevent precious trichomes from adhering to the tumbler surface. T

his results in the flowers having a better visual appearance while maintaining their strong natural aroma and flavors. Overall, you will notice a more potent flower as all-natural properties are preserved during the harvesting process.

The extra-large hopper makes consistent feeding of the machine easier.

Centurion machines are the only brand that uses a unique diverter to help fine-tune the flow and cut on different strains giving the grower the ability to quickly adjust to different strains or density of flowers. 

These diverters are how the machine can process dry flowers so delicately while still ensuring a tight clean cut and finish!

A double bag system for trim collection aids in the ease of keeping the bags clean and helps save the trim for further extraction processes.

Elite Stand Up Leaf Trimmer

Product Description Per Manufacturer:

 The Elite Stand Up Leaf Trimmer is here to revolutionize trimming. It will last season after season with it’s all aluminum, rust-proof, corrosion-proof construction. 

It’s lightweight and easy to transport from site to site. 

The trimmer is also designed to be super easy to clean! The top portion of can be tilted to pour out it’s contents easily, and the included catch bag's built-in handle makes for quick transportation and disposal. 

Twisted Trimmers build the industry’s best trimmers and will shave time and stress off your harvest today! 

Dimensions:

14.5" Diameter, 19" Depth, 37.5” Tall 

Twisted Trimmers 18" Clear Top Bowl Trimmer

Product Description Per Manufacturer:

You won't find this size anywhere else; it's an industry first! The Twisted Trimmers 18" Clear Top model features a clear plastic top for better visibility and a removable handle for convenient storage!

Cut twigs and remove leaves from a multitude of different plants for projects like making essential oils, aromatherapy products, and potpourris. Save time and energy and let the trimmer do the work for you!

This 18" bowl trimmer harnesses the power of 30 scissors in one unit and includes (1) straight blade made of high-quality stainless steel.

When it's time to harvest from your hydroponic system, you'll be glad you have it!

Twisted Trimmers 16" Open Top Hand Trimmer

Product Description Per Manufacturer:

These metal top trimmers are 100% stainless steel and built to last. There is no plastic, which makes them extremely durable.

The open-top allows you to easily see your work and also fill it without having to remove the top.

This no-frills trimmer will get the job done.

When it's time to harvest from your hydroponic system, you'll be glad you have it!

Trim'R-matic Electric Handheld Trimmer

Product Description Per Manufacturer:

The benefits of using an automatic trimmer are numerous. The Trim'R-Matic will triple your trimming output, with speeds of up to 12 cuts per second!

But no need to worry about sacrificing quality, the Trim'R-Matic handles easily and allows for higher levels of precision than trimming on your own.

Studies show that repeated actions with your hands can lead to all sorts of repetitive motion disorders using the Trim'R-Matic helps eliminate those worries, as it does all that work for you! 

The Trim'R-Matic goes to work for you with an oscillating blade and two blades on either side that it traps the leaves of the plant between. 

Using the handy, built-in speed controller, the user can change the speed of the trimmer from slow to high, and it also works as the off switch.

The Trim'R-Matic runs on 120v or 240v and plugs straight into the wall or power strip, which means that there is no heavy power supply to carry around, making trimming all that much easier. 

Its compact size makes it ideal for working in a tight grow room, grow tent, or hydroponic setup!

Wet Trimming

Immediately after harvesting, the leaves are removed from the bud. It is referred to as wet trimming as the plant is still wet when trimmed. 

The bud will dry up, so this trimming needs to happen before the bud dries up. Most feel that wet trimming is easier and possibly more efficient. 

Once the trimming is done, the grower just needs to dry out the buds and does not need to remove the extra leaves afterward. 

Growers who prefer the wet trimming method point out that mold issues occur between the stalk and the bud. 

In wet trimming, the bud gets removed from the stalk. This will significantly reduce the chances of mold. 

When a bud is wet trimmed, and then dried, it gets the opportunity to "puff out." This can make the bud visually more appealing to the end-user. 

Wet trimming is compatible with trimming machines because the bud is already humid and easier to cut in a tumble style machine. 

Large scale operations find that wet trimming is the most efficient choice for them.

Wet trimming advantages include:

It is easier. When buds are fresh, the leaves lie perpendicular to the buds, making them easier to trim off.

It is faster. The leaves are easy to see at this point, so the time taken to trim is lessened.

Reduction in the risk of mold. Mold develops wherever there is moisture. Leaves on the buds are likely to hold moisture. An increase in humidity can lead to mold, so trimming the bud while it is still wet reduces the chances of this occurring. 

Less space needed for drying. The buds' size is smaller when trimmed, so they don't require as much room for drying.

Wet trimming disadvantage includes:

It is messier. If you are using scissors, the wet material builds up on your scissors, decreases their performance, and makes you stop to clean them frequently. 

Lots to do in a short length of time. This practice is labor-intensive. If you are a private, not a commercial grower, you will probably need help with this step. 

All the plants need to be cut down, separated, and trimmed all at the same time. 

Dry Trimming

The opposite (obviously) of wet trimming, dry trimming as its proponents too. While the process can be less efficient, some growers feel strongly that dry trimming is more effective. 

When you dry trim, you control the drying speed. It also produces a bud that has less harsh smoke. 

When dry trimming is employed, it allows the grower to control the speed at which the buds dry out. 

They can then prevent them from drying too quickly. Indeed, buds dried before being trimmed are not as "pretty" as those wet trimmed, but proponents feel strongly that it delivers a better product for the end-user.

In dry trimming, harvested stalks and buds are hung to dry before trimming. Growers will cut the branches with buds into medium, manageable sizes. 

The next step removes the bigger "non-sugar" leaves, and the buds and stems get hung to dry. 

This will produce a "gentler" product, but a dried bud is not as easily trimmed. 

Once the drying process is complete, removal of the smaller "sugar" leaves takes place.

Dry Trimming Advantages Include:

You get high-quality buds. When the sugar leaves remain on the bud during the drying process, it slows down drying speed. 

As this slow process continues, the chlorophyll fades from the bud, and you will get smoother buds for consumption.

Not as hectic at harvest. Instead of needing to do the harvesting and trimming simultaneously, if you are dry trimming your buds, you don't have to do the trimming all at once. 

Both large and small operations benefit from this grace period when time is of the essence.  

You get consistent weights with dry trimming. Trimming is easier when the bud is dry. Buds are light in weight and uniform because most of the water has evaporated. 

If you are paying someone to trim for you based on weight, this is the best way to go. 

Dry Trimming Disadvantages Include: 

You can damage the trichomes. With the bud being dry, the trichomes are now delicate and brittle. Trim with caution. This will make the process take longer. 

This takes up a lot of space.  Buds on the stalks take up more space. You have to have the space to dry them hung upside down.

This takes more time. You will need to wait until the flowers feel slightly crunchy on the outside and small branches snap easily. This can be anywhere from five to 15 days. 

You need to control the atmosphere. During the drying process, you need to have the room where they are hanging dark and between 60 - 70 degrees. 

Humidity should be between 45% - 55%. Have a small fan in the room to circulate the air, but you want to do this gently.

You need more equipment. To keep conditions right for the hanging plants, you may need a dehumidifier, an air conditioning unit, and a fan. 

In Conclusion

There are valid arguments for both wet and dry trimming. It can come down to the use you make of your product, the size of your harvest and your personal preference. 

Wet trimming is good for beginners because it avoids mold and gives you prettier bulbs. Dry trimming will give you better falvor and aroma and a shortened curing time. 

It may be a good idea to try both methods to see which one is right for you.  

A List Of The Best Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights 0

Best LED lights for Indoor Growing

It is not easy to get started in your own indoor growing operation. More likely than not, you are doing this on your own without previous experience. 

There is a lot to know to get yourself set up and you want to start out with the right equipment from the beginning. 

You don’t want to experiment with what will and won’t work as that can be expensive.

The grow light that you chose will be one of the single most essential pieces of equipment for growing your plants. 

You want it to do its job properly so you get them most from your time, effort and money. 

Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights

Mars Hydro is a manufacturer of LED grow lights that is known for its affordable and quality line of grow products. 

If you are looking for LED lights for your small to medium-size grow area, the price and quality from Mars Hydro cannot be beaten.

We have chosen seven different models from Mars Hydro. 

Each light will have a different feature, like size, that would be advantageous to growing plants indoors depending on how large the area will be. 

List Of The Best Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights

1) Mars Hydro COB 100 watt LED Grow Light

Mars Hydro offers a CREE powered COB LED light in 100 watts. In case, like me, you were unsure what COB stood for, COB is short for Chip-on-Board. 

This Chip-on Board packaging technology describes the mounting of multiple LED chips onto a surface where it forms a single module. 

This process has tiny LEDs wired and packaged together into a single ceramic or copper board, and they function as a sole light source. 

CREE's are super high-performing, energy-efficient LEDs that provide a crisp output. When you combine those two, you get a superior growth light. 

Important to create a trouble-free operation, the Mars Hydro COB light has an IP65 enclosure that has complete protection against particles and water. 

This is especially important in a growing environment that has a lot of moisture. 

Using Meanwell drivers, CXB-3590 COB diodes, there are supplemental red and blue spectrum diodes built with Osram and Cree chips. 

The addition of a fan radiator helps to keep the area you are growing in cool and quiet. 

Specs

• BTU: 378.78BTU
• Compare to HPS/MH/HID: 250w HPS
• Certificate: CE, RoHS
• Draw power: 110W + - 5%@AC120V 108W + - 5%@AC240V
• Amps: 0.987A/120V 0.46 A/240V
• Voltage: AC100-240V AC277 for North America only
• Decibel value: 0db
• N.W/G.W: 3.4KG(7.5lb)
• Coverage: Core coverage: 2.5'x2.5' / Max coverage: 4.5'x4.5'
• Lifespan: 50000 hours
• spectrum: 450~475nm 620~630nm, 650~660nm, and white
• Plug Type: USA. UK, EU, AU, Japan
• UPC Number: 600740988462
• Dimension: 290*220*210mm (12'x9'x8')
• Work Temperature: -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C)
• humidity: =<90%
• Warehouse: USA, UK, DE, AU, Canada
• Chip Brand: Osram, Cree

2) Mars Hydro Mars TS 1000 Quantum Board LED Grow Light

A compact grow light, the TS 1000 has, at the highest intensity, about 590 uMols. That is exactly what you need for the vegetative phase. 

It has a simple design and is a full dimmable spectrum LED grow light.  While the TS series of grow lights are basic, they are a quality product at a budget price. 

This set of lights features a white light spectrum. Current thought believes that a white spectrum to be better than just red or blue alone. 

The TS 1000 maintains a strong intensity at the edges. The TS series are all quantum board style fixtures. 

Using Epistar 3030 chips, the efficiency of these lights will save you in the cost to run them. The TS 1000 will cover a 2' X 2' area when hanging at a lower height as in the blooming stage. 

The recommended distance to hand above your plants is: seeding: 24", germination: 24" - 30", vegetation: 18" - 24" and bloom at 12" - 18". 

You can add to these lights so that you could start with one or two and add as your budget permits.

• Actual Power: 150W+/-5%@100--277V
• Coverage:Veg:3’x3’(90x90cm); Bloom:2’x2’(60x60cm)
• Compared to HPS/MH/HID:250W
• Average Yields: 1.5g/W
• PPE:2.1--2.35umol/J 

3) Mars Hydro TSL 2000 Quantum Board LED Grow Light

Suitable for plants in all growing stages, the Mars Hydro TSL Quantum Board LED grow light will make your indoor growing easier. 

The simple and efficient design of this grow light consists of two long LED boards and an aluminum reflector and two drivers. 

At a length of 40 inches, this grow light fits nicely in a 2 X 4-foot tent. The length will put the light directly above the majority of the tent space. 

Other LED lights employ cooling fans that reduce the efficiency of the light and add to the energy costs. 

The Mars Hydro TSL is fanless. The design of the light allows the heat to passively dissipates off the light. 

With fully dimmable drivers, these dimmers are conveniently on top of the ballast. 

Other versions of grow lights require you to unscrew the ballast to dim the grow light, but the TSL makes it easy for you to dim the lights.

• Actual Power:300W+/-5%@100--277V
• Coverage:Veg:3’x5’(90x150cm); Bloom:2’x4’(60x120cm)
• Compared to HPS/MH/HID:450W
• Average Yields: 1.5g/W
• PPE:2.1--2.35umol/J

4) Mars Hydro TSW 2000 W Quantum Board LED Grow Light

The TSW 2000W LED grow light is an upgrade compared to lights that are only a few years old as the TSW provides the full-spectrum indoor plants needed to thrive. 

While similar to the TSL, the difference between the two is that the TSW adds more coverage area. 

The wider quantum board configuration is 3 X 3 feet during the flowering stage. This size makes it perfect for a 3 X 3 grow tent and easy to install. 

When considering a PAR perspective, the TSW has a balance of natural white light, and it also has a mix of red and blue lights.

With a PAR value at about 910umol, this lighting spectrum is great for plants to grow in. 

Being a solid unit that emits little heat the TSW does not have fans. It does not need them because of the quantum board technology. 

This makes the TSW very quiet. On the TSW, an angled stainless steel housing redirects lights towards your plants, increasing the efficiency of the light. 

As safety dictates, don't look directly at the light unless you are wearing protective eyeglasses. 

The TSW has a dimmable feature in case you need to adjust the intensity in the various stages of growth. 

• Actual Power: 310W+/ -5%@ 100--277V
• Coverage: Veg: 4’x4’(120x120cm); Bloom: 3’x3’(90x90cm)
• Compared to HPS/MH/HID: 450W
• Average Yields: 1.5g/W 
• PPE: 2.1-- 2.35umol/J

5) Mars Hydro TS 3000 Quantum Board LED Grow Light

Wanting to design a better full-spectrum light, Mars Hydro created the TS series of lights and this particular board is a 3000-watt level. 

The TS 3000 has an improved quantum board along with a heat reduction cooling system. The light consumes around 450 watts without the need for built-in fans. 

While this is valuable at all stages of the growing cycles, the TS 3000 does an exceptional job during the bloom phase. 

This particular grow light is also suited for use in a commercial setting, or for the person who wants the optimum performance from their grow lights. 

What is nice about this light is that Mars Hydro has put this quality within reach of the average grower. It is much less expensive without sacrificing quality. 

It;s fan-less and therefore quiet light, the reflector on the light reduces the light's heat output. 

The light's aluminum structure also does double duty to intensify the light output by about 20%. 

The TS 3000 uses a full wideband spectrum that mimics natural sunlight. This makes the light ideal for growing different types of plants. 

The best growing area for the TS 3000 is 5 X 5 feet.  From seed to harvest, the TS 3000 can deliver the light needed at each stage.

• Actual Power: 450W+/ -5%@ 100--277V
• Coverage: Veg: 5’x5’(150x150cm); Bloom: 4’x4’(120x120cm)
• Compared to HPS/MH/HID: 800W
• Average Yields: 1.5g/W 
• PPE: 2.1-- 2.35umol/J

6) Mars Hydro SP-150 Quantum Board Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

One of the advantages of the Mars Hydro SP-150 is its ability to perform in an ultra-humid environment. 

The LEDs are protected from moisture, making the light waterproof. This feature also extends the life of the SP-150. 

The SP-150 uses white SMD diodes from Epistar, so these lights are very similar to quantum board lights.  

They also added IR and UV diodes to help round out the spectrum in the areas that all-white LEDs can fall short. 

This results in the optimum spectrum for every stage of growth. 

Mimicking natural sunlight and adding red and blue light means that your plants will be getting all of the colors of light that they need the most. 

The Epistar diodes have a dimmable driver with about 245 watts at full power. 

This light will achieve a PPFD of 944umol when you hang the light 12 inches from the canopy in a 2 X 4-foot coverage area. 

When in the vegetative stage, hang the light at about 18 inches, and it will achieve 632 umol. 

The rectangle shape of the SP-150 can be an advantage when you have several rows of plants or if you stack your plants vertically. 

The light's rectangle shape allows you to install the lights directly above each row and not waste the light by illuminating aisles, as square lights will do. 

With a fixture of this shape, the light does not have to travel as far to reach the outsides of the coverage area and therefore does not lose as much intensity.

• Coverage: 2'X2'
• Max Yield: 1.8g/watt
• PPFD: 387 µmol/m²s
• Replace HID/MH: 250w
• Draw Power: 134W + - 5%@AC120V  138.9W + - 5%@AC240V

7) Mars Hydro SP-3000 Quantum Board Full Spectrum Grow Light

The Mars Hydro SP-3000 can be a more user-friendly light with its daisy chain capability. 

With this ability, you can plug the power cord into another SP-3000 light instead of having to run the cord to a power outlet.  

There is also an easy dimming knob on the unit. The SP-3000 uses high-quality Samsung and Osram LEDs. 

Use this light to cover a 4 X 5 foot grow area in the seedling and vegetative phases of growth. Mars Hydro uses ultraviolet wavelengths in its light spectrum.

The rest of the range is made up of 3000 Kelvin white that includes red wavelengths for flowering and blue wavelength s for seedling and vegetative stages. 

You can use this as the main light, or even as a sidelight. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically. 

The no fan design has a powerful heat sink, so it is a quiet grow operation.

• Best-Selling Samsung LM301B Leds 960pcss Samsung LM301B and Osram 660nm led chips

• Upgraded Sunlike Full Spectrum More warm white and red chips 

• Boom Yield & Increasing Crop Quality High PPFD at 2.8 umol/j, average yield at 1.8g/w

• Daisy Chain Dimming Function Dimmer knob added. Up to 15 lights can be daisy-chained and control together on just one light.

• No-fan Design & Aluminum Heatsink & Removable Driver No fan design, 

• IP 65 Waterproof  IP65 waterproof ratings

Brief History Of Grow Lights

The first light-emitting diode (LED) was developed in 1962 and was a red light. 

In an application concerning plant growth, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) used LEDs in 1988 for its space-based plant growth investigations. 

It was not until 2000 in Japan that the commercial use of LEDs for plant production paved the way for their use for personal growers. 

LED Lights Work Great For Growing Indoors

Today, grow lights have become the most crucial element of an indoor garden. It does not matter if you are a seasoned grower or if you dabble now and then. 

You still want equipment that is going to deliver a quality product for your effort.

The light that you choose to grow your plants will be the single most crucial item essential to your indoor garden. 

Lights are the way that you will develop your plants from start to finish. 

You will use grow lights to start your seeds in preparation for planting. Grow lights will also extend "daylight" hours for your plants.

Light Spectrum

As an indoor grower, it is important to know a few basic concepts about lighting in general so that you understand how light affects your plants. 

When you know this, you will also be able to see what makes a particular type grow light more suitable for your goals. In turn, this will save you time and money.

Light, both visible and invisible, falls in a range somewhere on a light spectrum. Spectrum measurements are nanometers. 

These nanometers correspond to the wavelength of light. As an indoor grower, you will need the 400 - 700-nanometer range. 

The Importance of PAR

Photosynthetically Active Radiation, or PAR, reflects the spectrum of light that plants need to grow.

We all know that photosynthesis is critical to your growing plants. 

Photosynthesis is the process where plants use sunlight to synthesize food from carbon dioxide and water. 

PAR refers to the wavelengths of light that plants can use for all of its needs regarding photosynthesis.

The Grow Range For Plants

Within the main 400 - 700 nanometers range, there are ranges that plants use for specific purposes.

400 - 490 nanometers: this is the “blue” light range that plants use during their vegetative growth stage

580 - 700 nanometers: this “orange-red” range is used by plants when they are in the flowering and fruiting stage.

Just in case you want to know that happens in the 490 nm to 580 nm range, that is the range that the chloroplasts in the plant cells reflect green light, and with our eyes, we see the green in the 510 - 570 nm range.

The Advantage of LED

There is a variety of grow lights on the market. High-Intensity Discharge (HID), High-Pressure Sodium (HPS), Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH), and Fluorescent.

Surpassing the use of the above lights is a relative newcomer, the Light Emitting Diode (LED)

LEDs are very popular with indoor growers because they have benefits other lights can’t match. 

An LED uses an extremely low amount of energy while putting out very little heat. 

This is a tremendous advantage for indoor growers who usually don’t have the space to deal with a lot of heat output. 

LED bulbs degrade far slower than any other type of bulb. For example, an incandescent bulb will degrade in 6 - 9 months, while that same LED bulb will take 15 - 20 years. 

LED lights have this advantage:

• Take less energy
• Last longer
• Smaller
• Solid-state, so more durable
• Produce lower heat 

In Conclusion

With the time, effort, and money you put into growing plants indoors, you want to know that you are getting the optimal results.

Mars Hydro's selection of LED grow lights will enable you to successfully take your indoor plants all the way through their life cycle and ensure you of a productive harvest.  

What's The Difference? Aquaponics Vs. Hydroponics 0

If you are wondering how it all works, like I was, here is the low-down on aquaponics.

Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture. The waste produced by fish, or other aquatic animals, supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which means in water, not soil.