g00segg is back! Love the smell of RIU in the morning.

What's up friends. Been out of the game for a few years. I don't know if any of you remember me or not...but I'm back! Was just wondering if I have missed anything over the last few years. Any new technology or anything? I'm getting ready to start my grow here in the next few weeks and was just wondering if there was any new "must have" items i needed for the next go around.

I don't know how long you've been gone, but there's always new stuff! What kind of set up are you going to run?

And welcome back!

Welcome back! Always something new to play with.. New strains are always fun.

I've been gone for about 2 years...so it's been a minute. Probably going to build 2 sub-rooms for flowering/veg and run 400's again. I liked how it worked for me last grow so we'll see. Will have to start from scratch though as I got rid of all my equipment.

things around here are trending towards induction and LED, or induction/LED combo

If you're in the market for new equipment, and can spare the investment, run a 400w induction VS a 400-600W HID.

I won't promo any brand, but you can definitely see where the preference is on this forum.

I've always gone High pressure Sodium for Flowering and Metalhalide for veg...wtf is induction. lol

LEDs man. They are the future! But for now HPS is still king. Go with 600s better lumen output.

g00sEgg said:

I've always gone High pressure Sodium for Flowering and Metalhalide for veg...wtf is induction. lol

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Nikola Tesla invention.

It's sorta like a florescent on crack, and has benefits similar to LED's (similar output at 1/2-2/3 watt consumption). HID's work, obviously with good results, but they will phase out in time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodeless_lamp

Definitely more expensive than an HID, a ~400W runs $795-1200 depending on the company. The lack of bulb changes is a huge benefit (HID bulbs at $40-120/ea). You would be ahead in 3-5yrs easily once you factor in energy savings and bulbs. Induction lamps should last 8-15yrs based on current capabilities.

Run whatever you want, it's your grow. Just making a suggestion since you asked what was new.

djwimbo said:

Nikola Tesla invention.

It's sorta like a florescent on crack, and has benefits similar to LED's (similar output at 1/2-2/3 watt consumption). HID's work, obviously with good results, but they will phase out in time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodeless_lamp

Definitely more expensive than an HID, a ~400W runs $795-1200 depending on the company. The lack of bulb changes is a huge benefit (HID bulbs at $40-120/ea). You would be ahead in 3-5yrs easily once you factor in energy savings and bulbs. Induction lamps should last 8-15yrs based on current capabilities.

Run whatever you want, it's your grow. Just making a suggestion since you asked what was new.

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Thanks for the info man. Didn't mean to sound like I was being a dick. lol...was just wondering what it was. Thanks again.

djwimbo said:

Nikola Tesla invention.

It's sorta like a florescent on crack, and has benefits similar to LED's (similar output at 1/2-2/3 watt consumption).

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Jeez, I've never even heard of this. Must be falling behind on my research!!

BarnBuster said:

Jeez, I've never even heard of this. Must be falling behind on my research!!

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Don't feel bad man...it's been a couple years for me. LED's were just starting to get hype when I left the scene.

g00sEgg said:

Don't feel bad man...it's been a couple years for me. LED's were just starting to get hype when I left the scene.

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Yeah, I was a little before that. LED's were a glimmer. I have questions but I'll read up.

BarnBuster said:

Yeah, I was a little before that. LED's were a glimmer. I have questions but I'll read up.

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When I first joined RIU in 07...LED's weren't even heard of for growing yet. Personally I'd rather pay 1/3-1/2 the price and just get HPS and MH lamps..lol

no worries, I didn't think you were being dickish.

I also didn't realize you were in MI, props man, maybe we'll see each other at a convention/expo some time.

LED's are coming up in the world, sounds dumb, but if NASA stand behind it, all of a sudden shit gets real. The surprising part about LED's are that the most efficient panels I've seen are still using 1W diodes. That's not a "set in stone" thing, but the 3W, 5W and 10W diodes haven't been developed enough or made cheap enough yet.

I would gladly jump on the LED train or more likely the induction route with supplemental LED's. We don't have kWh rates like CA or HI, but I also know that my area is primarily powered by coal, and that's not cool.

I don't know your production numbers before (GPW or however you figure it), but a lot of the tweaks and hints have been figured out for new lighting and growing.

BarnBuster said:

Jeez, I've never even heard of this. Must be falling behind on my research!!

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And the added benefit over LED: Full Spectrum
As much as engineers and DIY'rs can customize the spectrum of an LED panel, the sun is full spectrum, and it is what I believe the be the best source of light.