Contradicting Research.

Shaggn

Well-Known Member
wow i was expecting more heated dicussions
all in all i think hps\mh lights are great for somewhere you can control the heat a larger room etc.
Leds are awesome for smaller setups stealth cabinets and closets. where heat can easily be an issue
ive never had yield or potency issues with my led grows but you will need ~100 watts per square foot
cheers
So I would have to replace my 600 watts of hps with 1600 watts of led, hmm doesn't sound cheaper to me.....
 

Mad Hamish

Well-Known Member
The new now is heading towards CMH.
I see a few folks claiming that this is the future. Everybody is using figures on paper to say this. I will decide after I have seen them in a few real-world growing situations. Very interested indeed. Theory all looks solid.
 

Adjorr

Well-Known Member
So I would have to replace my 600 watts of hps with 1600 watts of led, hmm doesn't sound cheaper to me.....
rule of thumb I use is 60-100w per plant minimum and a light for every 2x2 are minimum. Myself I run 3 untis 2 180w and 1 240w in a 2x3 space giving me 100w per square foot
 

GrowinDad

Well-Known Member
I am running the one 160 in a 4x4 tent but not using all the space of course. This is my first full grow under it. Seems to be vegging three girls wonderfully. I flowered some 12-12s (4) under it at once and it did fine. Buds were much more dense than under past CFL grow with the same strain and genes.

My theory is that if I LST and train well, I will be able to keep 3-4 plants under it with good light. But we shall see. From my experience, 100W per sq ft is excessive. Or better stated more than is necessary.
 

Mad Hamish

Well-Known Member
I am running the one 160 in a 4x4 tent but not using all the space of course. This is my first full grow under it. Seems to be vegging three girls wonderfully. I flowered some 12-12s (4) under it at once and it did fine. Buds were much more dense than under past CFL grow with the same strain and genes.

My theory is that if I LST and train well, I will be able to keep 3-4 plants under it with good light. But we shall see. From my experience, 100W per sq ft is excessive. Or better stated more than is necessary.
cb420 Can yield close on 3lbs under a single 1000w hps. Its all about roots if you want great fruits...
 

mangojuice

Active Member
I think HID is probably a better choice in some regions. If I lived in a cool or cold area, HID would be the choice for sure. I live in a warm climate however, and don't see the sanity is heating a space to cool it. I can't afford it either, so a combination of LED, plasma and T5 HO has been the ticket for my first grow. The T5 HO's put out a litte heat and it is enough to supplement the heat in my tiny house as we head into winter. I keep the house cool so I don't need to worry about the grow tent going over 80. Just a fan in there and the plants are doing well. My electric bill s affordable. Lights are a learning curve for us noobies and I think the answer will be different for different people. Even among LED users there is debate and it is also a learning curve and a lot to read about. Each grow, grower, medium and other factors give each grow a different flavor. I chose different lights because I couldn't figure it all out and I was in a hurry lol :) But if I were to stay in my current situation I would buy another larger LED. I am running 600 watts total in a 4 x 4 grow tent. I'd probably want at least that much in LED lights and keept the plasma and T5 HO for side lighting and seedlings. Happy Grow.
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
I hope not.... Okay. Thanks... why is it that people keep saying they get a lot smaller buds when they use LED? Does it effect the grow size?
Because they get a lot smaller buds. Most of the LED lights you see sold are all made in China. To the lowest standards possible. There are a few high quality lamps sold, but they cost an arm and a leg to buy. It will take years of growing to recoup their high initial costs in electric savings with the cheaper ones, and most of them don't last even 10,000 hours, let alone the 50,000 hours they claim. The hype for LEDs is not the reality.
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
But wouldn't the cost of keeping the room cool with HSP male up for how much you speend to get the LED... I know nothing at all... that is a question... not a statement. I want to be able to light a 17 by 15 foot room well. like really well. And people are saying that keeping a room like that cool is going to cost an arm and a leg.
It will cost you $20.000 to illuminate a grow that size well with LED. How many arms and legs is that?
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
I can see what you mean. I am thinking it would be best to start with HSP then switch to LED over time. Thanks :) Well the flowers in the field are just so pretty!! Want me to pick you some?
It's HPS, not HSP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
wow i was expecting more heated dicussions all in all i think hps\mh lights are great for somewhere you can control the heat a larger room etc. Leds are awesome for smaller setups stealth cabinets and closets. where heat can easily be an issue ive never had yield or potency issues with my led grows but you will need ~100 watts per square foot cheers
At 100w/sq/ft, how are you saving anything on electric?
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
Okay............. you seem to be annoyed.... my advise is to take a brake and smoke a bowl... from a bong... no matter what all my friends say; pipes suck.
My bong broke, all my pipes need cleaning. I'm forced to roll joints. Well, not "forced"............
 

elehope

New Member
My bong broke, all my pipes need cleaning. I'm forced to roll joints. Well, not "forced"............
Well then I understand why you seem annoyed now.... all I smoke is bongs and blunts. I will smoke a pipe... but joints.... just no :)
 

Mad Hamish

Well-Known Member
A room the size you are talking about is going to cost a lot of money to set up properly any way you look at it. man oh man can I yield you a fuktonne of reefer in a room that size wowowowowow. I would say to tame your ambitions just a touch. Clearly this is a commercial venture. In which case it is even more wise to start smaller and build it up. Small grows will pay for themselves no problem and probably make you the money to upgrade as your experience level grows too. And if you do it that way, costs matter little. But personally I would say anybody attempting a room that size really should know his shit pretty well already and be quite sure about what he wants. You are talking quite the project here.
 
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