So I'm still in the process of preparing the grow tent. I just need one final thing... The lights.... I'm stuck at choosing a light system. I would like to go led but are hitting a few walls. The light I was happy to get (Area 51 Lighting SGS-160 LED Grow Light) apparently only covers one plant... I plan on using a Gorilla grow tent 4x4 with a bubbleponic/drip system with 4 5 gallon buckets and res. I mostly aiming for led because of the lack of heat, and energy consumption(key reason being don't want electric company eyeing me) 500-600 bucks is my limit on lighting. I would like to cover a range of 2-4 plants. Maybe I am misinformed about energy consumption and over paranoid. Should I go cfl, led, hid... I didn't know where to place this post in either newbie or indoor... sorryhttp://area51lighting.com/the160.html
Which to choose from....
- Thread starter A1istor
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Sire Killem All
Well-Known Member
not into LED as i cant afford them but if i was to do DWC/RDWC i would want them HiD put off to much heat and res gets hot, u would need to find a way to cool ur res. CFL is meh imo u need way to many to get anything good as far as i seen, spend as much as a HiD.
this is where my dilemma lies... Led at this point to get more then one is 1000+ bucks that break my bank hard.... My key thing is with the HiD besides heat is the energy consumption with the ballast and such...
Adjorr
Well-Known Member
Invest in a good quality LED unit and you will not regret it. I recommend 2 240w LED units for that amount of plants. Look at units with at least 3w bulbs and a 6 band spectrum. I recommend getting the 2 units instead of just 1 larger unit because you will get better coverage with 2 units then you would with just 1, leds are most effective when you can get as close to right under neath them as possible. You also want to make sure your light is geared towards the flowering spectrum as they will perform better through the whole grow then lights geared towards the veg spectrum. I got my led lights off ebay for a great price, you don't neccasarily have to buy the more expensive units to get results you just need a unit that fits your needs an u need to know what your looking for, don't buy from sellers with bad feedback
H R Puff N Stuff
Well-Known Member
400 watt hps or maybe 600 watt i have a 1000 watt in a 4x4 tent and i grow monsters but heat is a pain in the ass to deal with.
You know I never really considered getting two smaller led lights. What lights do you have or would suggest. I dont know if plant type makes a difference when it comes to lighting. I'll mostly be doing indica such as nyc diesel and every once in a while sativa for the wife.
The heat is one of my pet peaves... would be welcome in the winter since it gets really cold here but summer is a pain...
ZOMBIESxWEED
Active Member
People get caught when they start stealing power not using a lot of it. In the eyes of the electric companies growers would be their best clientele and they're not likely to give up their records without a warrant and proper suspicion that you're operating illegally. A 4x4 tent would not likely raise suspicion unless someone complains about your grow to the cops.
Sire Killem All
Well-Known Member
odds are the computer you are on now runs at almost 400w or better. a/c takes alot more then 400, but yea heat can be a pain but really u can get a 400w kit for half of a LED price and if you lose a bulb u can replace it, not something easily done wit a LED, and no offense to the guy that said LED company dont make a difference but if i cant replace the led in it then i want high quality product. i have heard and read about strips going out on LED's, not sure i wanna call china for a RMA.
Pop The Trunk
Member
I have seen a ton of ppl going lower then 1000 watts becuz they are scared the power company will catch on to them, but ill put it this way im a computer technician, when i moved into the house im at now i didn't have any of my computer equipment for months and this was before i was growing. i had a few power bills in my name, then i brought my gear over which equals to two 1200 watt computers and my main gaming system which is running a 1600 watt power supply with a 50 inch plasma monitor. I never once got shit for it. I think the thing they look for is 12 on 12 off cycles, i work 12 hours a day anyways so i just company my light schedules by turning off two of my computers when the lights go off so it looks like a normal work day. Then i got a medical card and non of it mattered anymore. But every city is different what one person gets away with another might not be so lucky.
Pop The Trunk
Member
You can just solder in a new LED if one goes out, LEDs at radio shack are cheap, but still if you want to avoid the pain in the ass of doing such a project, a bulb is easier to replace.
kagecog
Well-Known Member
Boom. All you will need for under $150. I personally own this light and can attest that it is AMAZING
http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLSETX600DHMWING20-600-Watt-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005DOS0R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376505561&sr=8-1&keywords=600+watt+grow+light
http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLSETX600DHMWING20-600-Watt-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005DOS0R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376505561&sr=8-1&keywords=600+watt+grow+light
tekdc911
Well-Known Member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apollo-400-Watt-400w-MH-HPS-Grow-Light-Lamp-System-Set-for-Plant-Growing/190843921052?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222002&algo=SIC.FIT&ao=1&asc=261&meid=8913995952974184577&pid=100005&prg=1088&rk=1&sd=230840062756&
might aswell get one of those with the cool tube and a 4"carbon fan and filter
could prolly get a ipower filter , fittings
and a good fan with speed control like a soler and palau
for under 500 bucks
might aswell get one of those with the cool tube and a 4"carbon fan and filter
could prolly get a ipower filter , fittings
and a good fan with speed control like a soler and palau
for under 500 bucks
Sire Killem All
Well-Known Member
if you get a inline fan, then do not get a regular speed controler for your fan it will short out it life and possible be fire hazard did some research and found that u will need a "Variac" controller, you can get it for around 20 more then one for brush motors. This is what you need for a brushless motor... http://www.rakuten.com/prod/3-amp-variac-variable-transformer-300va-max-0-130-volt-output/246444136.html?listingId=261041894. if your gonna spend money on it least do it right sending back my brush controller for one of these.
http://growershouse.com/vortex-s-line-ultra-quiet-fan-8-728-cfm This is what I'm getting.
Sire Killem All
Well-Known Member
they have a Variac on that site tho it is lil over $200 you can find one else where for less, you gonna need a 5amp variac for that as they spike on start up that one uses 1.92amp so ur spike might exceed 3 amps and blow the one i linked. this would do you plenty fine, http://www.rakuten.com/prod/5-amp-variac-variable-transformer-500va-max-0-to130-volt-output/246444169.html using a controller for brush type might void ur 10yr warrenty.... wouldn't that suck..
This is the first time I've heard of anyone using a Variac. Is it really needed.
lamertdoris1
New Member
good
I don't understand....good