What's the interest in growing with retail store LED bulbs?

Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
If 10 5w bulbs are lined up there should be better performance than a 50w fluorescent. But, to replace a 400w T5 setup and get the benefit of same wattage/more light you would need 80 bulbs, or around 61 and 310w to get similar performance . It's possible to find them now for a buck or two but bulbs aren't going to last as long as a properly cooled cob or strip. They will last 2-3 years likely.

On one hand this is a better deal for the money averaged over 3 years. On the other, you would have to build an 80 bulb frame, screw in 80 bulbs and look forward to replacing them one at a time as they go bad. For the complete lack of maintenance over 5-7 years it's worth it to me to have a well cooled cob setup with meanwell drivers, with a 195 LPW output.

LED bulbs are a good deal for a clone station where lower light levels are desirable.
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
Rahz said:
If 10 5w bulbs are lined up there should be better performance than a 50w fluorescent. But, to replace a 400w T5 setup and get the benefit of same wattage/more light you would need 80 bulbs, or around 61 and 310w to get similar performance . It's possible to find them now for a buck or two but bulbs aren't going to last as long as a properly cooled cob or strip. They will last 2-3 years likely.

On one hand this is a better deal for the money averaged over 3 years. On the other, you would have to build an 80 bulb frame, screw in 80 bulbs and look forward to replacing them one at a time as they go bad. For the complete lack of maintenance over 5-7 years it's worth it to me to have a well cooled cob setup with meanwell drivers, with a 195 LPW output.

LED bulbs are a good deal for a clone station where lower light levels are desirable.
Click to expand...
Why would one use 5W LED bulbs when 15W bulbs are readily available?

BTW, I've been using LED bulbs for years and have yet to have one fail.
 
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Flanigan

Flanigan

Well-Known Member
I just made 4 5 gallon pots with black cow soil and half peat moss and it turned out to be excellent soli
 
Flanigan

Flanigan

Well-Known Member
nfhiggs said:
Why would one use 5W LED bulbs when 15W bulbs are readily available?
Click to expand...
As I said I usually and am about to grow my crop outside but Im starting inside so they'll be stronger to go into their final pots since there think different autos but I also have 1 photo blueberry from kanuk and Im eventually putting it in the ground and taking about 50-100 cuttings and rooting them in Perlite. I have had clones outgrow the mother if taken early enough. But the autos will go from peat pots straight into their final five gallon pots and can get full heights inside the cage but if they grow wide like I hope Im tying them to all different parts of the cage!
 
Flanigan

Flanigan

Well-Known Member
Ok see 3 60 watt home led lights on top of cage and cage has a bowl with 4 peat pots filled with good potting soil.Do you or anyone else believe it will work for 2-3 weeks just to get the started plants strong enough to put outside in the weather because after that they are going into 5 gallon pots filled with black cow soil mixed with peat moss 50/50 and I made the 4 pots last night and never saw such fertile soil unless maybe I add perlite to it but it already drains super well.
 

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Flanigan

Flanigan

Well-Known Member
Any advice helps because I never have started indoors.I don't have to now as I already have 50 degree nights and 85 degree days plenty of sun but just wanted to see.
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
nfhiggs said:
Why would one use 5W LED bulbs when 15W bulbs are readily available?

BTW, I've been using LED bulbs for years and have yet to have one fail.
Click to expand...
5w bulbs have more surface area per heat watt. Those bulbs get hot. If they're lasting for you that's great. I've been using them for room lighting for years. I haven't had one last more than 3 years so far.
 
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