Need help for lighting choice
- Thread starter airsggg
- Start date
scarecrow77
Well-Known Member
Id say the led is better than the cfls..cfls are not for growing on less there the big 250 watt ones and there still not much good...as beast said get a hps .doesnt have to be cool tube...hope this helps
For your space, I'd recommend the 180w which is probably 120w actual. That would give you 40w sq. ft. The 150w is probably 100w actual, or 33w sq. ft. If it's a high-end light using Crees, the lower-power model would be good because the bulbs would be more efficient, producing more light per watt. But, if they're Chinese imports (or expensive rebranded imports), the higher power light would be better.
Why only 2-bands? The trend with LEDs is toward broader spectrum (5 to 11 bands, or some white, or a lot of white). I think you can do better than that. Do you have a link to it?
some people said the plant only feed by blue and red light. Green and yellow light are not efficiency, that is why I use 2-bands. This is the first time I try to grow in door, thus dont have experience at all. Which LED light is mainly used? full spectrum or selected lightwave bands?
please advice.
Cooltube HPS ? never heard of it. Any link for it?
Why not HPS? Because heat would be a concern, due to my little tent, and I heard that 400W HPS should be 30cm above the plant, I am afraid it would be no room for my girl since later flower stage.
Abiqua
Well-Known Member
For the chinese import lights which are anywhere from 20-30% efficient, I would recommend 40-60w's /sq. ft or every 25x25cm. For a light like the Cree CXA cobs or an A51 with Cree XP-E's, then as little as 25w/sq. ft is needed for good grows.
cfls have terrible penetration and do best in a scrog and are horribly inefficient [some less than 25%] but if you have enough of them, they will grow some dank......
[hps 33-35%, American 'made' led 30-40% and high end Cree up to 50% efficient]
cfls have terrible penetration and do best in a scrog and are horribly inefficient [some less than 25%] but if you have enough of them, they will grow some dank......
[hps 33-35%, American 'made' led 30-40% and high end Cree up to 50% efficient]
All I can say is "more" bands. Advanced does 11 bands. Others, might use 3 bands but use whites to supply other bands. The more white, the fewer bands. But, just red/blue doesn't sound good. Plants see light differently than we do. There are specific bands it will use most, but it's still more than 2.
You asked for a recommended light. Are you looking for cheap, or a longer-term expensive investment (longer warranty, ability to upgrade components as LED technology evolves)?
I dont have enough budget,
. Need a cheap one..... enough for 2 time grow...thanks for your advice.. very useful..
Invertebrate
Member
If you're going to spend $$ go with MH/HPS. Otherwise stick to the CFLs.
I think TopLED has a very good reputation as far as cheap Chinese imports go. The Mars I 100x3 (160w actual) <<link would be good for your space. That gives you about 53w sq ft.I dont have enough budget,
Your tent height is a bit limited. If it was taller you could do the Mars II (which is 5w) 400w (185w actual). <<link. It depends on how tall your plants will be, whether you could maintain enough distance. But, that's probably too much wattage for your space.
They also have a 3w reflector model, of which the 96x3 (185w actual) <<link would fit your space. With a reflector you might need a bit more distance to the light than the Mars I.
If you wanted to do a custom spectrum, I can refer you to an AliExpress seller (Thunder Lighting) that does an Apollo 4 with custom spectrum for $150 US free shipping. Myself and 3 others I know of have ordered one and been happy. For your space, you might need an Apollo 6.
BeastGrow
Well-Known Member
you can keep 400w hps about 8 inches without a cooltube. A cooltube is essentially a glass tube around the hps light bulb. you blow air threw the tube... the air is exhausted away from the plants. The cooltube insulates teh heat but allows light to get through. THis allows you to get your plants even closer to to light without burning them from heat.
i think LEDS are good too but not worth the extra money.. Watt for watt they compare to the HPS but at 4-5 times the cost.
Hi, any links for HID? too much lights that confused me..
dak1b
Well-Known Member
here you go. http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/185980-hps-mh-lighting-tips-info-optimal-distance-tops.htmlHi, any links for HID? too much lights that confused me..