tstick
Well-Known Member
I've been kicking around several options -all of which relate to a SMALL grower's needs and not what the "industry" uses. In my opinion, that's a BIG advantage that the small grower has over the industry -which has to commit to a lighting scheme and then stick to it forever after for the sake of consistency. Also, the commercial grows have to commit to the demands of the market...and if the market wants Blue Dream or GSC then that's what they will grow...over andover and over and over! The small-time growers (6 plants) can experiment and try ALL kinds of things and can dial-in what works best. That pertains not only to lighting but also to all other methods and styles of growing as well as being able to experiment with a WIDE variety of strains. Some strains might be the tastiest, most terpene-rich plants -but they might not produce very well -so they don't make it to the commercial market. But the small grower who is after flavor and not production, won't be as concerned about that. See what I mean?
I do a single run per year during the cool months when outdoor bugs are gone ( so they don't vector into the grow room). I've been using Timber Grow Lights from before they were even a company and I love them....but one thing is that LEDs run cool and I had to run a space heater in my room that ends up negating the electrical efficiency and cost savings of the LEDs. The advantage to using a CMH or other type of HID light is that they do generate more heat due to their relative inefficiency as a light-maker. However, when you consider the aspect that an HID system can provide the light AND the heat all-in-one, then it starts to make sense to consider them in some cases.
I'm torn between spending 5-600 bucks on a Cycloptics CMH setup -or trying out one of the HLG QB kits or fixtures. I wish I could do both! But, as it is, I have to make a choice of one or the other.
Decisions Decisions!
I do a single run per year during the cool months when outdoor bugs are gone ( so they don't vector into the grow room). I've been using Timber Grow Lights from before they were even a company and I love them....but one thing is that LEDs run cool and I had to run a space heater in my room that ends up negating the electrical efficiency and cost savings of the LEDs. The advantage to using a CMH or other type of HID light is that they do generate more heat due to their relative inefficiency as a light-maker. However, when you consider the aspect that an HID system can provide the light AND the heat all-in-one, then it starts to make sense to consider them in some cases.
I'm torn between spending 5-600 bucks on a Cycloptics CMH setup -or trying out one of the HLG QB kits or fixtures. I wish I could do both! But, as it is, I have to make a choice of one or the other.
Decisions Decisions!