If you’re in the indoor grow industry, there is a high chance that you’ve heard of “Quantum Board LED Grow Light”. Quantum Board LED grow lights have continued to grow in popularity since Horticultural Lighting Group first introduced them in the market. Currently, several brands have started creating these grow lights and there are some DIY kits as well.
The biggest question lingering on the minds of growers is; are they effective and reliable as other Samsung LED grow lights? As you will find out later in this review and guide, Quantum Board LED Grow Lights, normally shortened as QB LED grow lights are very efficient and effective in performance. These lights have several advantages over COB led grow light such as better efficiency and much easier thermal management.
What is a Quantum Board Led Grow Light?
Quantum board grow lights are the next step above chip on a board (COB) LED grow lights. The LEDs are connected to a carefully wired board. The quantum board may be sold as just a circuit board. In these cases, you combine it with a pin heat sink or conventional extruded aluminum heat sink.
The LED bulbs themselves share the same advantages as other LED lights such as a long life expectancy and energy efficiency. Quantum board LEDs are as controllable as other LEDs. For example, a 300 watt system can typically be dimmed down to 120 watts in the early stages of growth. A quantum grow light that matches a 150 watt CFL in light output uses around 80 watts while covering a roughly two foot by two foot growing area.
Quantum grow lights that cover a 6 foot by 6 foot area for vegetation growth may only provide enough light for a 4.5 by 4.5 blooming crop. But it will consume only 350 to 500 watts of power while matching the light output of a rough 1000 watt bulb.
The best quantum board led grow lights are properly sized for the growing area. Know that this may mean setting up several grow lights to get full coverage.
- Uses 480 watts — save over 50% on your electric bill over HID lights
- Dimmable to 240 watts — save even more when you don’t need the full output
- Incredible output — PPF of 1257 μmol/s is an amazing output for only 480 watts of power consumption
- Equivalent to a 1000 watt HID system — but costs far less to operate and generates far less heat, too
- Perfect spectrum for plants — 3500K white light
- Does not require a ballast
- Suitable for all small indoor systems
- Can be placed close to the plant canopy, due to construction
- Comes with hanging kit and power cord
- Bright light
- Well-built
- Quiet fans
- User-friendly due to easy utilization
HLG Brand 100 V2 4000K Quantum Board Grow Light
This quantum board LED grow light puts out 4000K white, full spectrum light. This means it can be used for all phases of plant growth as well as supplemental light for plants. The V2 stands for version 2 of the design; this model is more energy efficient than version 1. It uses roughly 100 watts of power, while the light output is similar to that of a 200 watt T5 or 200 watt metal halide light bulb.
The unit can provide full light for a two foot by two foot swath of flowering plants or three foot by three foot growing leafy plants. The 4000K cool white light is perfect for indoor plants, since this is the type of light found in commercial offices or industrial spaces.
The manufacturer ships the quantum board and hanging kit along with a free sample of a root stimulator solution. There are complaints that the root formula goes bad. The wire hangers included by the manufacturer are fairly long, and that may force you to buy different wires if you can’t make them shorter some other way.
While the lights can be dimmed, you’ll have to buy a separate dimmer. Nor does the manufacturer provide thermometers, but that’s rarely an issue with this type of grow light.
The power supply that powers the entire board is located on the top of the quantum board. If the solder breaks, you’ve lost the entire board. This may happen if you drop the quantum board or if it is hit hard enough to shake it loose.
- Energy efficiency
- May eliminate need for fans in growing operations
- Full spectrum light you can dim
Maxisun Brand 2020 Model PB 2000 LED Grow Light
This grow light comes with a basic hanging kit. You can buy a sturdier, more adjustable version from the manufacturer. You should buy this grow light if it is the right size for your growing area, because it doesn’t seem to be suitable for daisy chaining and you only get a short power plug with the grow light.
One interesting trait about the Maxisun quantum board grow lights is that it is essentially waterproof. The IP67 rating means you could in theory drop it in a tray of water, take it out and turn it back on once it dries out. This unit won’t short out because a water mister hit it, and it won’t rust. These are the best quantum board led grow lights for use around aquariums and hydroponics systems.
- Quiet
- Energy efficient
- Water proof
HLG Brand 100 V2 4000K Quantum Board Grow Light
The manufacturer ships the quantum board and hanging kit along with a free sample of a root stimulator solution. There are complaints that the root formula goes bad. The wire hangers included by the manufacturer are fairly long, and that may force you to buy different wires if you can’t make them shorter some other way.
While the lights can be dimmed, you’ll have to buy a separate dimmer. Nor does the manufacturer provide thermometers, but that’s rarely an issue with this type of grow light.
The power supply that powers the entire board is located on the top of the quantum board. If the solder breaks, you’ve lost the entire board. This may happen if you drop the quantum board or if it is hit hard enough to shake it loose.
- Energy efficiency
- May eliminate need for fans in growing operations
- Full spectrum light you can dim
Why Do Marijuana Plants Need Light?
Marijuana plants, regardless of where you are growing them – indoors or outdoors, need lighting. Light is very important for plants to grow as it helps them with the process of photosynthesis and helps them produce chlorophyll as well. Photosynthesis is an important process because that’s how plants prepare ‘food’ which gives them energy. Sunlight also helps break down various sugars and compounds in the plant’s body and it is also based on the lighting hours that they ge that the marijuana plant’s levels of CBD and THC are also affected at times.
Photoperiod is also very important for regular plants (non-autoflowering plants). These plants grow based on the sunlight that they get and they need about 22 to 12 hours of lighting based on the phase of growth that they are in. Different phases of the growth cycle not only need different amounts of lighting but also require different types of light. When the plant is in its early and vegetative stage of growth, it needs more of ‘blue light’ which is on the cooler spectrum of lighting. When the plant matures into pre-flowering and flowering stages, it requires red lighting. However, most growers prefer providing a combination of both these kinds of lights for a better result.
The Benefits of Quantum Board Led Grow Lights
Chip on a board LEDs reduce the loss of power through circuit boards sending power to each LED in a grow light array. Quantum boards are even more energy efficient. This dramatically reduces their power consumption. This can also reduce the waste heat generated by the grow light.
A side benefit of the large and often exposed board has excellent ventilation, since the large flat board is exposed to the air. It may not need fans to keep it cool. The quantum grow board can be combined with a large, board-like heat sink. In this case, the heat created by the grow light array is continually pulled away from the board.
That’s why the best quantum board led grow lights never cause your grow tent to overheat. On the other hand, you may want ventilation to minimize smells or manage the humidity inside the grow tent. Yet the lack of fans may make the growing operation nearly silent.
The standard lightweight board is perfect for do it yourself projects. Its design may allow you to install it in tighter spaces than the standard LED grow light with a large plastic protective shell. You may be able to stick it to the top of a grow tent or the top of your closet to provide light to the plants underneath. Now you don’t have to deal with a hanging kit. Note that this approach means you can’t raise and lower the grow light as the plants grow.
Quantum grow lights are typically broad spectrum light similar to white LED or HID bulbs. This includes the red light that growing plants need. Whether or not you can put out predominately red or blue light depends on the quantum board design.
Conclusion
Cheapest Quantum board LED Grow Light are not as revolutionary as the LED was, but it is a step forward in the technology. While quantum board grow lights may not be the best choice for every application, they are a decent product for a number of applications.
In this article, the Polish chicken breed is discussed in detail.
The head feathers on these lovely birds are a fashion statement for sure – once you see them on them, they make an impression.
There is a very striking feather crest on the Chicken, which is a breed of chicken native to Europe.
It is from the Netherlands that these birds have their oldest populations.
A moderate longwing is held close to the body.
Polish chicken eggs yellow legs with wide sets.
