Why all the arguments over LED vs HPS ?

tstick

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!
 
jwreck

jwreck

Well-Known Member
Yodaweed said:
Yea that's why i do so much experimenting with my lighting to try to bring out the maximum terpene profile from my plants. Wish there was some more research out there but for now it seems to be just an experiment and figure it out type situation.
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i read the article but sounded like a sales pitch - uv does this and that and we are the only led company who uses uv - after blowing money on super thrive and other snake oils ill pass on this UV stuff.
if my buds got %30 more potent i might die lol
but seriously, im in to terps too and i find that letting them amber up a little gets me those terps that im looking for
 
Lola Grows

Lola Grows

Well-Known Member
tstick said:
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!
Click to expand...
Quantum Boards are producing the same quality as Cobs? I notice they're being mentioned quite often .
 
MichiganMedGrower

MichiganMedGrower

Well-Known Member
jwreck said:
i read the article but sounded like a sales pitch - uv does this and that and we are the only led company who uses uv - after blowing money on super thrive and other snake oils ill pass on this UV stuff.
if my buds got %30 more potent i might die lol
but seriously, im in to terps too and i find that letting them amber up a little gets me those terps that im looking for
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I agree with the plants going longer (not all mine amber up exactly) to get not only more terpenes but more canabanoids.

I have strains that give a fabulous uplifting head high at 8-9 weeks with a mild body buzz. But that transforms into a full blown mind and body high and buzz by 10 weeks.

Stronger flavor and smell too for sure. And more complex. Earlier plants can have a nice clean fruity fresh kind of flavor. But not the Lemon and chemical deep odor a good 10-11 week hybrid can get. For example.

They also seem to evolve into different profiles as they cure in the jar over time. My favorite pheno goes from a horrible shit smell to a fine coffee/chocolate over 6-8 weeks.

Sorry for the ramble. I'm quite high after trimming and sampling the hash from a plant today.

Oh yeah. The uv increasing canabanoids up to 4% has been tested by universities and professional growers for a while now.

The 10k finishing bulbs are for terpenes (fuller spectrum combined with lower temps) and thc from the UV rays. They replace or add to the hps for the last two weeks. Proven for years in labs.
 
haze010

haze010

Well-Known Member
Lola Grows said:
Quantum Boards are producing the same quality as Cobs? I notice they're being mentioned quite often .
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Instead of saying quantum boards you should say pcb lights. The reason i say this is because there are many options with top quality diodes made by samsung and bridgelux. Quantum boards use the samsung Lm561c diodes which you can also get from samsung themselves via samsung H series or F series strips, there are also a few others now making boards with these doides. Also bridgelux makes strips with diodes that are a tiny bit less efficient but a little less expensive.

Any of those are top quality options and produce as good as cobs, some would argue better than cobs.

Heres a page that has 6+ builds with various LM561c builds in it which is the same diodes as quantum boards to give you an idea or two.

http://ledgardener.com/samsung-lm561c-build-finishing-touches/

Also check out the bridgelux eb series build thread in the led section, its 50+ pages long of eb build and samsung build info.

Personally i have 2 lights each made of 8 two foot long samsung H series strips. I lucked out on timing and was able to get the strips for a fair amount less than they currently sell for and i could not be more satisfied with the results with them replacing 400watt hps.
 
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R

Ryante55

Well-Known Member
stnr420 said:
I personally have nothing against them. My only beef is the price comparison vs hps and comparable yield.a thousand dollar led or a 150 dollar hps...with comparable yield...i dont understand y someone would want to spend that kind of money on a light...but hey to each his own.
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If you grow in a space where there is only 20 amps available you will quickly find out why people use led you will get more bud with led if you don't have unlimited power
 
newgrow16

newgrow16

Well-Known Member
Ryante55 said:
If you grow in a space where there is only 20 amps available you will quickly find out why people use led you will get more bud with led if you don't have unlimited power
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my situation also, in an outdoor shed in Southern California , albeit well insulated and shaded, air conditioning all night is not an option for me, hence led.
First few grows using Black Dog and Kind, upgrading to timber grow 400framework with vero29 at 3500 kelvin.
 
stnr420

stnr420

Well-Known Member
Ryante55 said:
Then I guess you should switch to led so you can grow more medicine the increased yield will pay for the increased price in less than a year
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Like i said....i like the concept...but on 20 amps i can run a 1000 hps...6inch inline filter...oscillating fan...and a dehumidifier during lights out....2# in 8-9 weeks....its more than me and my family can smoke...when the price comes down....ill probably try it in the summer only....i like the extra heat in the winter....
 
Lola Grows

Lola Grows

Well-Known Member
newgrow16 said:
my situation also, in an outdoor shed in Southern California , albeit well insulated and shaded, air conditioning all night is not an option for me, hence led.
First few grows using Black Dog and Kind, upgrading to timber grow 400framework with vero29 at 3500 kelvin.
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I like that one too. I even heard the vero 29 can be more efficient than Cree if driven hard. Idk but I'll be deciding on one of them and purchasing the light from Dan.
 
R

Ryante55

Well-Known Member
stnr420 said:
Like i said....i like the concept...but on 20 amps i can run a 1000 hps...6inch inline filter...oscillating fan...and a dehumidifier during lights out....2# in 8-9 weeks....its more than me and my family can smoke...when the price comes down....ill probably try it in the summer only....i like the extra heat in the winter....
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Ya I get that just saying 1000w of led will yield you more which will offset the cost so for anyone that sells at least some of their crop and plans to grow for at least a year led is a far better option.
 
Lola Grows

Lola Grows

Well-Known Member
haze010 said:
Instead of saying quantum boards you should say pcb lights. The reason i say this is because there are many options with top quality diodes made by samsung and bridgelux. Quantum boards use the samsung Lm561c diodes which you can also get from samsung themselves via samsung H series or F series strips, there are also a few others now making boards with these doides. Also bridgelux makes strips with diodes that are a tiny bit less efficient but a little less expensive.

Any of those are top quality options and produce as good as cobs, some would argue better than cobs.

Heres a page that has 6+ builds with various LM561c builds in it which is the same diodes as quantum boards to give you an idea or two.

http://ledgardener.com/samsung-lm561c-build-finishing-touches/

Also check out the bridgelux eb series build thread in the led section, its 50+ pages long of eb build and samsung build info.

Personally i have 2 lights each made of 8 two foot long samsung H series strips. I lucked out on timing and was able to get the strips for a fair amount less than they currently sell for and i could not be more satisfied with the results with them replacing 400watt hps.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the link and the information on the "pcb lights" :)
 
Lola Grows

Lola Grows

Well-Known Member
coreywebster said:
So its over a year since you started the thread.
I see you have a winner!
How long have you been using the hlg550? How many crops so far?
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This was my first run with this light
( leaned with hps) so I've only harvested one crop.

The thing is the quality of this crop, the way the light kept temps below 83 during the entire run ( I'm from Cali and it was hot this summer) but I faced no heat issues.

I just ended up with phenomenal buds and one of the most efficient lights on the market right now.

I really don't get the arguments, I guess some people like heat and high energy bills lol. Popping some more beans today :)
 
Cali Cajun

Cali Cajun

Well-Known Member
Lola Grows said:
The thing is the quality of this crop, the way the light kept temps below 83 during the entire run ( I'm from Cali and it was hot this summer) but I faced no heat issues.
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Exactly - my temps are running a bit higher than yours (86 is the highest I've hit), but the outside temps have pretty regularly been in the low 90's where I'm at (also in California). My wife is already mad at me for how much I've spent on my new hobby; I'd be looking for a bachelor pad if I needed to add cooling to what I'm doing.
 
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