Lighting pick?? 600w HPS or LEC 315 CMH

I run 2x 315 CMH 3100k, 1 600w HPS, and 2 100w UVB 9.9 tanning bulbs in a 4x8 space. With vs without the tanning bulbs is obvious in the results. The 315 CMH do produce some UVB, but the issue is that every layer of glass the light goes through significantly reduces the UVB. Most of the CMH bulbs are double layer bulbs or single layer bulbs with a warning to use in enclosed fixture only. Once you add the second layer of glass the UVB values drop to meaninglessly low levels. If you want UVB from a 315 CMH, get the single layer bulb and put it in an unenclosed fixture at your own risk.

Thanks... lots of good stuff... FROM EVERYONE

GemuGrows said:

I would say if you go with a 315w CMH or 2, you will not be disappointed. Its easily my favorite light on market. At least sun systems, i hardly care for the others.

Sun System's has a nuts reflector, it looks like 5 bulbs are shining down instead of just 1.

And once again, i have an incredible 1000w hps setup; which i'm planning on replacing with 2x LEC 315.


My stocks under my 2xLEC315 are literally over double the size of my stalks under my 1000w hps.

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So.

Ok, so what is better fr my space... which is a 4x4 tent... one 630 or two 315's? This is just a flower area which will probably only see 3 plants at a time, 4 tops if I get a fast runner.

Mount said:

Ok, so what is better fr my space... which is a 4x4 tent... one 630 or two 315's? This is just a flower area which will probably only see 3 plants at a time, 4 tops if I get a fast runner.

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oh god easy 2 LEC 315.

The extra $200 it would cost would pay off majorly on first harvest.


The only con, if you live in a super hot area there is a possibility you could have heat issues in summer. Thats just cuz they dont come with air cooled options, but the glass it would take reduces their spectrum

I've used 600w hps, 1000w hps, all sorts of flourescents, etc...

These LEC 315s from Sun System are the lights im by far most impressed with so far


I'd maybe do 4 plants under them

I am running the welthink brand 315 CMH fixtures. Flawless so far, and very nice performance. I'm very happy to say I didn't pay near $500 each. At that price point I would be moving on to LED.

nomofatum said:

I am running the welthink brand 315 CMH fixtures. Flawless so far, and very nice performance. I'm very happy to say I didn't pay near $500 each. At that price point I would be moving on to LED.

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I've never heard of that brand and my google search didnt tell me O:

http://hydrobuilder.com/sun-system-315-watt-lec-fixture-with-4200k-lamp-208-240-volt.html?dzid=csegps_906208&gclid=CNHZ2ba1qsoCFQkxaQod_OcCmA

Thats what I use, i got my for about $303 each (but its nearly impossible to get a better price than I can get), hydro store discount ftw.

Good thread-----Question/s,

I assue the popularity of LEDs, LECs and CHMs, ETC is due to the equivalent light produced by hps and mh but with less heat?

I only have experience with HIDs, mostly 1K hps.

Can anyone shine a "light"? IOW, whats's the delta?

A~~~

GemuGrows said:

I've never heard of that brand and my google search didnt tell me O:

http://hydrobuilder.com/sun-system-315-watt-lec-fixture-with-4200k-lamp-208-240-volt.html?dzid=csegps_906208&gclid=CNHZ2ba1qsoCFQkxaQod_OcCmA

Thats what I use, i got my for about $303 each (but its nearly impossible to get a better price than I can get), hydro store discount ftw.

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I lied to a guy in china when I ordered. I told him I ran a hydro store, lol. Less than $200 each without bulb.

So is $835 a good price for the LEC630? I wanted 2 day delivery but they wont ship any way but ground.

Mount said:

So is $835 a good price for the LEC630? I wanted 2 day delivery but they wont ship any way but ground.

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yes but for the 630 the bulb is horizontal as opposed to vertical. One of my fav parts about the single light fixtures is the vertical bulb, but the 630 may still be equal to 2x 315s.

Just something to think about

GemuGrows said:

yes but for the 630 the bulb is horizontal as opposed to vertical. One of my fav parts about the single light fixtures is the vertical bulb, but the 630 may still be equal to 2x 315s.

Just something to think about

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You have a point.... thank you! seems when you look to hard and think to long you overlook some of the obvious things

Mount said:

You have a point.... thank you! seems when you look to hard and think to long you overlook some of the obvious things

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i've been digging these lights for a while trying to see if theres anything that makes them more nifty than the regular 315w system. Havent found anything yet :O

GemuGrows said:

I would say if you go with a 315w CMH or 2, you will not be disappointed. Its easily my favorite light on market. At least sun systems, i hardly care for the others.

Sun System's has a nuts reflector, it looks like 5 bulbs are shining down instead of just 1.

And once again, i have an incredible 1000w hps setup; which i'm planning on replacing with 2x LEC 315.


My stocks under my 2xLEC315 are literally over double the size of my stalks under my 1000w hps.

Click to expand...

Gotta agree with the Sun Systems reflectors, they're killer. Bought the first and 2 months later bought a second. Wish I had room for more!

Thanks to EVERYONE!!! I did order 2 LEC315's last night but wont see them until the 25th probably. Couldnt afford to add expedited shipping... Thanks @GroErr Thanks @GemuGrows Thanks @nomofatum Thanks @az2000 Thanks @THCbreeder and everyone reading and helping with this!

Mount said:

Thanks to EVERYONE!!! I did order 2 LEC315's last night but wont see them until the 25th probably. Couldnt afford to add expedited shipping... Thanks @GroErr Thanks @GemuGrows Thanks @nomofatum Thanks @az2000 Thanks @THCbreeder and everyone reading and helping with this!

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Nice pick, you'll be pumping out some nice bud soon Cheers.

THCbreeder said:

600 at least for a 4x4 ... 315 lec for 3x3 is perfect . Or if you can afford an LEC 630w for a 4x4 you hit the jackpot

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I just picked up up the lec630w after having the same issue. I got a good deal
(>$900). The 630 puts off less heat then a 400w hps and it has an awesome spectrum for plants. I havent set it all up yet. But its going in a 4x4 with passive airflow w/6in inline. Soil. Lst, scrog. This light covers the canopy very evenly. Buds might not be as big as a 1000w hps but it is a lot cheeper to run because the heat and has a better spectrum = better buds. I think 1.5g per w is extremely do'able.

Here are the par readings for the LeC 630w from Sun System at 24 inches on a 4x4 grid. Duel 3500k colormaster bulbs.

216 260 287 254 213
220 440 554 424 267
253 535 584 545 304
225 405 580 438 267
180 227 253 235 208

BiG PuFFer said:

Here are the par readings for the LeC 630w from Sun System at 24 inches on a 4x4 grid. Duel 3500k colormaster bulbs.

216 260 287 254 213
220 440 554 424 267
253 535 584 545 304
225 405 580 438 267
180 227 253 235 208

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Thanks for this!!! Might just have to get another tent and the 630 when I get the itch to expand my grows...

BiG PuFFer said:

I just picked up up the lec630w after having the same issue. I got a good deal
(>$900). The 630 puts off less heat then a 400w hps and it has an awesome spectrum for plants. I havent set it all up yet. But its going in a 4x4 with passive airflow w/6in inline. Soil. Lst, scrog. This light covers the canopy very evenly. Buds might not be as big as a 1000w hps but it is a lot cheeper to run because the heat and has a better spectrum = better buds. I think 1.5g per w is extremely do'able.

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Let us know how your grow goes with this, really interested

Im vegging with t5's and going to use the Lec for flower. Some may say the LeC is a veg light, but the spectrum should kick ass in flower too. I get great results with the t5's for veg.