DIY Led light or MH and HPS?

NewEvil · Oct 18, 2018

Hey growers,
I'm just choosing light for my 100x100x180cm tent.
There will be probably 4 plants with scrog.

Options:

a) Simply MH 400W for growth and HPS 400W for bloom.

b) DIY led panel (I can't afford much so I want to DIY)
I was thinking about 9x50W chips 370-780nm (link here: goo.gl/jNEv4G), what is your opinion? I counted it, and even with cooling and electrical staff, it'll costs less than set of MH and HPS.

I want to know what would be better for me, so I can achieve best results!

Thanks!

eyderbuddy · Oct 18, 2018

NewEvil said:
Hey growers,
I'm just choosing light for my 100x100x180cm tent.
There will be probably 4 plants with scrog.

Options:

a) Simply MH 400W for growth and HPS 400W for bloom.

b) DIY led panel (I can't afford much so I want to DIY)
I was thinking about 9x50W chips 370-780nm (link here: goo.gl/jNEv4G), what is your opinion? I counted it, and even with cooling and electrical staff, it'll costs less than set of MH and HPS.

I want to know what would be better for me, so I can achieve best results!

Thanks!

A 400 W hps/ms will be subpar for a tent that size.

Either go for 600 watt HID, or 350W-400W of DIY high efficiency LED grow lights... You can check the indoor LED lighting section for plenty of examples... The Strip builds are really hot right now.

NewEvil · Oct 18, 2018

Thanks, and what do you think about these led chips that I linked?

PrometheanLeaf · Oct 18, 2018

What is your lighting budget mate?

Lordhooha · Oct 18, 2018

NewEvil said:
Thanks, and what do you think about these led chips that I linked?

I’d stick with Cree, citizen, vero cobs or Samsung strips for leds or I’d look into cmh lights. In a 3x3 I would think a 315 cmh would do well in that space.

T macc · Oct 18, 2018

I would go DIY. I think this is my last run for CMH after seeing what LED is doing these days

GBAUTO · Oct 18, 2018

NewEvil said:
Thanks, and what do you think about these led chips that I linked?

Aside from the convenience factor, those are pretty inefficient compared to current tech fixtures. Plenty of manufacturers of cobs and smd fixtures that double the light output at the same power level. That means you will need less overall wattage(and heat) to light a given area.

NewEvil · Oct 19, 2018

GBAUTO said:
Aside from the convenience factor, those are pretty inefficient compared to current tech fixtures. Plenty of manufacturers of cobs and smd fixtures that double the light output at the same power level. That means you will need less overall wattage(and heat) to light a given area.

Thanks mate! I will look for better chips.

Hugo Phurst · Oct 19, 2018

I know it cost more, think about a 315W CMH. Less heat than a 400w and as least as much light as a 600w.

Good luck

homegrown365 · Oct 19, 2018

I'm a LED COB user. COBs ROCK!!!
For your consideration (based on your specs)
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/hlg-65
Just a thought.
Stay safe!!!
Success w/ya grow!!!

PrometheanLeaf · Oct 19, 2018

homegrown365 said:
I'm a LED COB user. COBs ROCK!!!
For your consideration (based on your specs)
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/hlg-65
Just a thought.
Stay safe!!!
Success w/ya grow!!!

A hlg 65 won't cover a 39" x 39" space.

Bbcchance · Oct 19, 2018

Hugo Phurst said:
I know it cost more, think about a 315W CMH. Less heat than a 400w and as least as much light as a 600w.

Good luck

+1 for cmh

PrometheanLeaf · Oct 19, 2018

http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

I

You can definitely see a 315cmh give decent results, you could even go with a 630 adjustable cmh if your airflow and exhaust is on point. Anf you train for low height

NewEvil · Oct 20, 2018

I was looking at these CMH's and it looks way too good, the price is main issue (I can't get used CMH's in Czech Republic). I think I will stick with MH and HPS bulbs for my first grow, becase I can get them 1 round used for around 10 USD each, than I will go for CMH.

Thanks for advices guys, really appreciate it!

Hugo Phurst · Oct 20, 2018

NewEvil said:
used for around 10 USD

I don't trust "used" bulbs.
It might be better if you build a DIY led panel

Either way, good luck

coreywebster · Oct 20, 2018

Yeah buy new bulbs , they don't have to be expensive.
They lose a lot of light after a year.

ebay or amazon

Yodaweed · Oct 20, 2018

CMH has a considerably better spectrum than LEDs do, you will get much higher quality buds with a CMH compared to a LED due to the additional UV and quality of the spectrum.

zionzion · Oct 22, 2018

If you're on a budget stick with HPS. Upgrade to 600w hps $105 with batwing reflector grow. It should be enough to give you 800+ ppfd with that size of room.

FourTwentyBlackbirds · Oct 24, 2018

I agree that a 600W blue boosted HPS. For photoperiod plants you're only going to veg for two weeks, and there's plenty of blue, you don't need an HID

I've just discovered ChiLED lights today, maybe one of their DIY kits. These look to have the best spectrum of any light I've seen.

FourTwentyBlackbirds · Oct 24, 2018

Yodaweed said:
CMH has a considerably better spectrum than LEDs do, you will get much higher quality buds with a CMH compared to a LED due to the additional UV and quality of the spectrum.

What about the ChiLED, it's the best spectrum of anything.

DIY Led light or MH and HPS?

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