It's time to start up a new grow journal. Been awhile and things have changed. Long time members may have seen my side by side box grows of the past, but my space and needs have changed. I now have 2 small closets to grow in and could see that heat would be my biggest problem. To keep things under control, including cost, I decided to build my own lights. In the next few posts I will go over what I used, why I chose what I did and how it all worked out. First up, the lights. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
When I did my side by side testing in the past I was convinced that LED was the best option for my grow style. I've grown 3000w rooms, 150w grow boxes, flouro, MH mixed with HPS. No way could my space handle the heat of HPS this time around. I used an Advanced LED 100w light in the past and liked how it worked, but didn't like the price much, so I started looking around to see what was new on the market. I came across these guys [Pack of 2] 50W Led Chip Full Spectrum Plant Grow Light (380nm-840nm / Driver Free / AC110V / 50 Watt) SMD COB Emitter Diode Components 50 W Bead for DIY Hydroponic Flowers Growing Lamp I have seen most people using a warm white spectrum and heard the blurple lights make for spindly plants, so I decided to mix them. The 50w driverless is also available in warm white and cold white. I settled on a 2-1 ratio using 2 full spectrum lights to 1 warm white. I have also seen plenty of tests on UV lighting, so I added a 10w UV lamp and the matching ballast. Chanzon High Power Led Chip 10W Purple Ultraviolet (UV 395nm/900mA/DC 9V-11V/10 Watt) SMD COB Light Emitter Components Diode 10 W Ultra Violet Bulb Lamp Beads DIY Lighting Chanzon LED Driver 900mA (Constant Current Output) 6V-10V (Input 85-277V AC-DC) (2-3) x3 9W 10W Power Supply 900 mA Lighting Transformer Drivers for 10 W High Power COB Light Lamp Bulb (Plastic Case) I put all of that on an aluminum block that I drilled for water cooling. As you can see I drilled in from corners on the long axis. Those holes start from opposite ends and go through all but about 1/2 inch. Then I cross drilled the short axis and plugged the drill holes. Some plumbing to connect it all, a couple of hangers and it was done. Next up the cooling system. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
On to keeping the lights cool. I don't have many parts links to share this time around, but will detail what I can. I used a heater core from an old british Morgan that I already had and a hot rod power steering reservoir that I also had. I ordered a small fountain pump, 2 strong axial fans and some silicone tubing to connect it all. Bgears b-Blaster 90mm 2 Ball Bearing High Speed Extreme Airflow Fan EnPoint Water Pump Fountains, Submersible Pump Fountains Pump DC 12V 4.8W 240LPH 64GPH Waterproof Micro Brushless Pump Adapter Plate Aquarium Fish Tank Pond Statuary Hydroponics Silicone Tubing - 10 Foot Piece (High Temp Hose - 500F) (5/16" I.D. x 7/16" O.D. x 10 Foot) This setup generally keeps the lights around 90f with minimal transfer of heat to the grow space. Next up, some previous results. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
On to keeping the lights cool. I don't have many parts links to share this time around, but will detail what I can. I used a heater core from an old british Morgan that I already had and a hot rod power steering reservoir that I also had. I ordered a small fountain pump, 2 strong axial fans and some silicone tubing to connect it all. Bgears b-Blaster 90mm 2 Ball Bearing High Speed Extreme Airflow Fan EnPoint Water Pump Fountains, Submersible Pump Fountains Pump DC 12V 4.8W 240LPH 64GPH Waterproof Micro Brushless Pump Adapter Plate Aquarium Fish Tank Pond Statuary Hydroponics Silicone Tubing - 10 Foot Piece (High Temp Hose - 500F) (5/16" I.D. x 7/16" O.D. x 10 Foot) This setup generally keeps the lights around 90f with minimal transfer of heat to the grow space. Next up, some previous results. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
A few pics of some previous runs I did. A Dinafem Blue Widow And Dinafem Strawberry Amnesia I have been quite pleased with my new setup. Growth has been strong, buds have been dense, sticky and stinky. Some of the best results I've had with any lights and no heat issues. Next time I'll move on to what I'm running now. More pic, nutes and my newest lights. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
So, up top is my current plant, a Dinafem Blue Widow. I've decided to switch from the GH lines that I used in the past to the advanced nutrients jungle juice line. I've been very pleased with the results. When I switched I saw a diffence in the plants the next day. The end result has been very good too. Dense, sticky, stinky. The next pic is my newest light, a 710 NM flower initiator. Super simple design, just the LED, power supply and heatsink. Will update on how well it works on my next run. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
My newest project... A male isolation chamber. I've decided to start making seeds again. I'll be using homemade colloidal silver on cuttings in a sea of green style grow where I'll be starting the process as soon as I have growth. The first plant in will be my old standby Blue Widow from Dinafem. I'll collect some pollen and self cross as well as outcrossing with some of my other strains. What do you guys think? Am I gonna end up with seeds on everything? I'm pretty confident, but we'll see. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
Looks like I've got a mutant! Count the leaves. Bagseed Blackwater Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
Some updated pics. The Blue Widow, about a week away from harvest. And the Blackwater bagseed. So far so good on the blackwater, only seeing female so far. And my Blue Widow in the reversal chamber. No signs of flowering yet. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
Did a little topping. Does anyone use scissors or a razor for topping? The old school advice I got long ago is to simply break off the top node. Just get in there and give it a little push. Clean break and no slow down in growth. Also an updated pic of my Blackwater. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
Thanks for sharing! We are having Mars Hydro Giveaway event. You can share your best photos to our thread, the winner can get a free light! You can find more information on Mars Hydro Grow Family Thread started on page 1544, click here to get a fast access. Wish you have a good luck!
Thanks for the invite. Already have a pic of my blue widow entered. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
Ive been wanting to build a watercooled LED or HPS setup as well. I've been building liquid-cooled computers for about 8 years, and thought it would be awesome to build a lighting setup.
It works great. Keeps my chips around 90f and I keep my grow cool here in Nevada's hot summers Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
absolutely genius my friend!! watercooled COBs! your onto something here mister.. you could build standalone custom systems and sell them shits i bet you anything!
I have thought about putting together kits. Probably too much liability to be selling as a light. If somebody was interested tho I could probably be talked into building one. I've kinda been beta testing. It's been running for about a year without problem. I kinda want to build in more redundancy. I've added a thermal switch to shut things down in case of a pump failure, but kinda want a backup pump. I'd also like separate power supply's for the fans in case one fails. Just a little paranoia I guess. Sent from my XT1093 using Tapatalk
man let me tell you... dark transactions over the web.. you'd be good. no liability. people will just have to understand that you run shit cuz ur a boss and u watercool ur cobs lol. like they should understand that this woudnt be a proper manufactured item, it will be 100% custom. thats how id look at it. sry for the bad grammar, i was in a rush. you've got me mapping out my own project now ^_^ i will share the details as they solidify