Grow Light Tests and Reviews
LED Fixtures
Small: Up to 6sq. ft
- ViparSpectra XS1500 Pro
- Atreum Lighting Hydra 1000
- ViparSpectra XS 1000
- Maxsisun MF-1000
- Mars Hydro TS 1000
- ViparSpectra XS 1500
- Viparspectra P-1500
Mid-Size: 6-12sq. ft
- Medic Grow Mini Sun-2 320w
- Mars Hydro FC-E3000
- Atreum Hydra 3200
- ViparSpectra KS3000
- Mogobe Octopus 300
- Photontek SQ 300w PRO
- ViparSpectra XS 2000
- Maxsisun MF 2000
- Mars Hydro FC-3000
- Mars Hydro SP 3000
- Mars Hydro TSL 2000
- Spider Farmer SF 2000
- Migro Aray 4 240w Full Spectrum
Large: Over 12 sq. ft
- Cultiuana CT-800
- Spider Farmer SE7000
- Mars Hydro FC-1000w
- Spider Farmer G8600
- Medic Grow Smart 8 Plus
- Medic Grow Smart 8
- ViparSpectra KS5000
- Mars Hydro FC-E8000
- Mars Hydro FC-8000
- ViparSpectra XS 4000
- Medic Grow EZ-8
- Mars Hydro FC-E4800
- Photontek X 600w PRO
- Photontek XT 1000W CO2 PRO
- Mars Hydro FC-E6500
- Mars Hydro FC-6500
- Spider Farmer SF 7000
- Grower's Choice ROI-E720
- Geek Light GeekBeast Plus
- Medic Grow Fold 8
- ChilLED Growcraft ULTRA X3-330
- Lumatek Zeus 600w Pro
- Mars Hydro SP 6500
- Mammoth 10 Bar
HID Fixtures
- Omega CMH 315w
Grow Light Tests and Reviews
LED Fixtures
Small: Up to 6sq. ft
- ViparSpectra XS1500 Pro
- Atreum Lighting Hydra 1000
- ViparSpectra XS 1000
- Maxsisun MF-1000
- Mars Hydro TS 1000
- ViparSpectra XS 1500
- Viparspectra P-1500
Mid-Size: 6-12sq. ft
- Medic Grow Mini Sun-2 320w
- Mars Hydro FC-E3000
- Atreum Hydra 3200
- ViparSpectra KS3000
- Mogobe Octopus 300
- Photontek SQ 300w PRO
- ViparSpectra XS 2000
- Maxsisun MF 2000
- Mars Hydro FC-3000
- Mars Hydro SP 3000
- Mars Hydro TSL 2000
- Spider Farmer SF 2000
- Migro Aray 4 240w Full Spectrum
Large: Over 12 sq. ft
- Cultiuana CT-800
- Spider Farmer SE7000
- Mars Hydro FC-1000w
- Spider Farmer G8600
- Medic Grow Smart 8 Plus
- Medic Grow Smart 8
- ViparSpectra KS5000
- Mars Hydro FC-E8000
- Mars Hydro FC-8000
- ViparSpectra XS 4000
- Medic Grow EZ-8
- Mars Hydro FC-E4800
- Photontek X 600w PRO
- Photontek XT 1000W CO2 PRO
- Mars Hydro FC-E6500
- Mars Hydro FC-6500
- Spider Farmer SF 7000
- Grower's Choice ROI-E720
- Geek Light GeekBeast Plus
- Medic Grow Fold 8
- ChilLED Growcraft ULTRA X3-330
- Lumatek Zeus 600w Pro
- Mars Hydro SP 6500
- Mammoth 10 Bar
HID Fixtures
- Omega CMH 315w
Mars Hydro SP 3000 Test Results
Usable PPF
630.3
Usable PPE
-
0.00
Efficiency Rating
Power
Draw
-
297
Power
Draw
-
297
Harvest
Potential
-
0.0 - 0.0
-
0.0 - 0.0
Coverage
-
0.0 -
0.0
Ideal Hanging Height
-
19.5
-
50
Manufacturer's Data
- Power Draw: 300 w
- PPF: 840µmol
- Efficiency: 2.8
Ideal Hanging Height
-
19.5
-
50
Mars Hydro SP 3000 Review
The Mars Hydro SP-3000 is an impressive fixture. It is brand new model being released in July 2020. It is a significant upgrade over the previous generation of SP fixtures. It shares a similar chassis with the older SP models but features top of the line Samsung LM301b diodes and a 300-watt Mean Well driver. It is 108cm (42.5”) long in a bar shape. Since it is a single bar, I was concerned about its edge and corner coverage, but I was very impressed with the performance in my PAR test.
I tested the the SP-3000 in a 4×2 space. It produced one of the best PAR maps I have seen. At a height of 50cm (19.5”) the center reading was 999 µmol. The lowest reading that I recorded was in a corner with 734 µmol. Most fixtures cannot keep their corner readings above 500 µmol. The SP-3000 kept all the corners above 700 µmol and the corner squares were the only regions that were below 800 µmol. That is really an exceptional distribution of light.
In addition to an amazing PAR map, the SP-3000 has a superior Photon Efficiency. I measured a Usable PPF of 630.3 µmol with a power draw of 297 watts. That is a Photon Efficiency of 2.12, which competes with some of the best fixtures on the market. However, none of them can compete with the SP-3000 on cost. The SP-3000 comes in at only $0.63/µmol. These numbers are almost too good to be true – but they are true, I tested it myself.
In addition to having superior efficiency and an outstanding distribution of light, the SP-3000 has a few other cool features. It has a very easy to use dimming knob on a control box that is mounted on the top of the fixture. You can connect several fixtures using an ethernet cable (included) and then control them all with one master fixture. I tested the dimming function and at 50% on the dimming knob, both the PPFD reading and the power draw were almost exactly half of their full power.
Most of the LED diodes are Samsung LM301b. However, the SP-3000 also features Osram 660nm diodes which help fill in the red spectrum. All of the diodes are coated in a waterproof seal which protects the lamp in humid grow tent conditions.
The fixture did not run too hot in my test. I measured the temperature of the heat sink at 122f and the driver got up to 148f. It is a large single driver powering the 300-watt fixture, so I was not surprised that it got warm. Fortunately, the driver is removable and comes with a 2-meter (6’) cord. If temperatures run too hot in your tent, you can easily remove the driver and locate it outside the tent. Conversely, if the tent is too cold you can leave the driver mounted on the fixture.
As soon as I took my first PPFD reading in the corner of the test area I was sold on this light. I actually thought there must be some mistake and I reverified that the center was under 1000 µmol. The PAR map is impressive, the efficiency is superior, and the price is a bargain. I have not seen a better 300-watt fixture for a 4’x2’ grow space. Not just at this price, but at any price! Two of these in a 4’x4’ tent would be amazing. The SP-3000 can probably easily cover a slightly larger space than the 4’x2’. I have two of them and will run some additional tests in alternative areas both individually and together. Look forward to seeing how the 2 of them do together in 4’x4’ and 5’x5’ grow spaces.
NEW VIDEO with all the Additional PAR tests is now LIVE! Check it out! 5 Total PAR tests with the SP3000s and a fun exploration of Grow Light Physics!
I give the SP-3000 my highest recommendation. It is an awesome fixture and I am sure that any grower will love it.
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The Coco for Cannabis Grow Light Guide
Grow Light Tests and Reviews
LED Fixtures
Small: Up to 6sq. ft
- ViparSpectra XS1500 Pro
- Atreum Lighting Hydra 1000
- ViparSpectra XS 1000
- Maxsisun MF-1000
- Mars Hydro TS 1000
- ViparSpectra XS 1500
- Viparspectra P-1500
Mid-Size: 6-12sq. ft
- Medic Grow Mini Sun-2 320w
- Mars Hydro FC-E3000
- Atreum Hydra 3200
- ViparSpectra KS3000
- Mogobe Octopus 300
- Photontek SQ 300w PRO
- ViparSpectra XS 2000
- Maxsisun MF 2000
- Mars Hydro FC-3000
- Mars Hydro SP 3000
- Mars Hydro TSL 2000
- Spider Farmer SF 2000
- Migro Aray 4 240w Full Spectrum
Large: Over 12 sq. ft
- Cultiuana CT-800
- Spider Farmer SE7000
- Mars Hydro FC-1000w
- Spider Farmer G8600
- Medic Grow Smart 8 Plus
- Medic Grow Smart 8
- ViparSpectra KS5000
- Mars Hydro FC-E8000
- Mars Hydro FC-8000
- ViparSpectra XS 4000
- Medic Grow EZ-8
- Mars Hydro FC-E4800
- Photontek X 600w PRO
- Photontek XT 1000W CO2 PRO
- Mars Hydro FC-E6500
- Mars Hydro FC-6500
- Spider Farmer SF 7000
- Grower's Choice ROI-E720
- Geek Light GeekBeast Plus
- Medic Grow Fold 8
- ChilLED Growcraft ULTRA X3-330
- Lumatek Zeus 600w Pro
- Mars Hydro SP 6500
- Mammoth 10 Bar
HID Fixtures
- Omega CMH 315w
Impartial Testing and Reviews
At Coco for Cannabis, our mission is to help growers maximize the success of their cannabis crops by providing scientifically accurate information and sharing proven growing practices. We created this guide to share reliable grow light data and empower home growers with the best information about grow lights.
We always put growers first. We report accurate information and give our honest evaluation of each fixture. Our recommendations are based on the science, testing and our honest evaluation. You support our work by following our links and using our discount codes when you make a purchase. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer:
The information on cocoforcannabis.com should not be considered as financial, legal, or medical advice. You are responsible for knowing and following the local laws that pertain to cannabis cultivation, possession, and use. Decisions to grow cannabis should be made in consultation with a lawyer or qualified legal advisor. Decisions to use cannabis should be made in consultation with your doctor or medical professional.