|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
Grow light upgrade 1
#26648231 - 05/04/20 12:19 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Whats everyone using for cannabis grow lights these days. Are 1000w hps still the way to go or whats everyones thoughts.
Currently on an old 400w buzz box ballest in a 6" ducted hood and im looking to upgrade.
|
larry.fisherman
shoulda died already


Registered: 11/03/12
Posts: 36,294
|
|
I recently switched to a 600w equivalent LED which I think is 125w draw. I'm really quite happy with it. No transformer or whatever, it just has a grounded plug and I think I spent $120 CAD on it so it would probably be under $100 in usd
|
Dave Bowman
Albert Hoffmans Apprentice




Registered: 08/30/07
Posts: 2,104
Loc: Your Imagination
Last seen: 3 months, 23 days
|
|
How hot does it get?
|
larry.fisherman
shoulda died already


Registered: 11/03/12
Posts: 36,294
|
|
Hot but not too hot. My metal halide setup was hotter I think. I thought it was funny that it comes with 2x 75lb pulleys for hanging the light and it weighs like maybe 2lbs. Mars Hydro on Amazon
|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
|
How much footage does it light ?
Currently trying to light a 4x6 foot table. My local hydro shop the leds are stupid money even with my discount. But i dont want to run some ching chong bullshit ether.
Maybe i should just bite the 1000watt hps bullet
|
Atreyu
Never Ending


Registered: 03/18/14
Posts: 4,083
|
|
Larry
The led light you have, can you switch spectrums on the unit or do you use another light for veg?I ve been interested in led’s for awhile. When I was considering them they were still a little new and technology was still not on par w hps lighting or similar, unless you had a lot of money to put into it.
I definitely would want some led’s now though, would make a great purchase especially if they are halfway decent or better
--------------------
つ ◕_◕ ༽つ N = R* • fp • ne • fl • fi • fc • L
|
larry.fisherman
shoulda died already


Registered: 11/03/12
Posts: 36,294
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: Atreyu]
#26650310 - 05/05/20 10:29 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
I don't think there's any buttons on it you just plug this one in. There could be better ones for the price tbh I didn't really search too hard, someone from here recommended it if I remember correctly. I only use a light for veg as I like doing outdoor so it wasnt a concern for me if it needed any other functions. I just figured you can spend about that much on a bulb if you so choose, so I may as well try a new setup and it seems to be doing the job. I've got two particular strains I'm pretty excited about come harvest, sugar black rose and og kush.
|
Brian Jones
Club 27



Registered: 12/18/12
Posts: 12,340
Loc: attending Snake Church
Last seen: 6 hours, 34 minutes
|
|
It's been quite a few years since I did this. State of the art was a 1000 watt convertible ballast using MH bulb for veg and HPS for flowering. That doesn't really add that much to the expense because each bulb has only so many good hours before you should replace. If you are going to grow bigger plants you need a lot of power. The light has to literally shine through the upper leaves to get to the rest of the plant.
The rhetoric was always that LEDs were the future but we weren't there yet. Not sure what their status is now.
-------------------- "The Rolling Stones will break up over Brian Jones' dead body" John Lennon I don't want no commies in my car. No Christians either. The worst thing about corruption is that it works so well,
|
magoogle
Stranger


Registered: 04/01/20
Posts: 29
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
|
|
I've started using a Mars Hydro SP150 LED and I'm pretty happy with it. I haven't completed a harvest yet, just started up after a long hiatus. They're not cheap at $280 AUD but a HPS/MH simply produces too much heat for my setup and wouldn't be any cheaper. Lighting is the one thing I decided not to skimp on after previous issues. It should pay for itself after the first harvest given local prices.
|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: magoogle]
#26652167 - 05/06/20 04:38 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Ive always ran ether 600w or 1000w bulbs.
I have a 8 bulb t5 fluorescent light with 4 led conversion bulbs for veg and it seems brighter then all 8 fluorescent bulbs and half the heat. I would like like to hear from someone who floweres with led
|
magoogle
Stranger


Registered: 04/01/20
Posts: 29
Last seen: 3 years, 4 months
|
|
I should know in about 8 weeks, will report back.
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: magoogle]
#26652895 - 05/06/20 12:46 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
What do ultra low maintenance grows of cannabis result in? With decent conditions, but mediocre tek combined with a set it and forget it attitude (besides basic maint) ?
I’ve found wild cannabis a couple of times that was not maintained by anybody and they ended up looking pretty nice, and the herb high was kind and good.
So I’m wondering.
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
Edited by The Blind Ass (05/06/20 12:47 PM)
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
What space do you have? You'll want an area of 1.5m x 1.5m and ideally a 2.4m height to run a 1000w. They chuck out some serious heat and create hot spots without the right area and ventilation. For venting, you'll want a 6inch fan at minimum but ideally 8 or 10inch or use a cooltube with in-line fan.
As far as tech goes - CMH 615W is the way most growers are going these days for better spectrum which spreads heat better as well as developing fuller terpene profiles in the plants.
IMO it's not worth it to run 1000w setups, it's better to run 2x 600w (ideally with a 315CMH in middle for full-sec) in a 1.2m x 2.4m area or larger area.
Edited by WaveyOne (05/06/20 03:05 PM)
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
Quote:
The Blind Ass said: What do ultra low maintenance grows of cannabis result in? With decent conditions, but mediocre tek combined with a set it and forget it attitude (besides basic maint) ?
I’ve found wild cannabis a couple of times that was not maintained by anybody and they ended up looking pretty nice, and the herb high was kind and good.
So I’m wondering.
What do you define as ultra-low maintenance?
If you half ass a grow, you'll get hermies/seeds/yellowing/dying/low potency and low yeild.
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: WaveyOne]
#26653151 - 05/06/20 03:19 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
I guess I’m not fully sure of what I want to do yet, or even how to do it. Also, I think the wild grows I found led me to believe it might be less of a hassle than it really is - those wild plants may have just been a one off for what an 80% uncontrolled grow can end up being.
I just want to grow 3 plants in a closet or something. I’ve got a semi finished shed out back that can be retrofitted pretty easily, but I’m not sure how much attention it would attract when fully operational. 🤔.
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
Quote:
The Blind Ass said: I guess I’m not fully sure of what I want to do yet, or even how to do it. Also, I think the wild grows I found led me to believe it might be less of a hassle than it really is - those wild plants may have just been a one off for what an 80% uncontrolled grow can end up being.
I just want to grow 3 plants in a closet or something. I’ve got a semi finished shed out back that can be retrofitted pretty easily, but I’m not sure how much attention it would attract when fully operational. 🤔.
Where do you live that canna grows wild? You might find it was someones guerilla grow - they could have went to great lengths using sexed or female seeds, importing water, soil and fertaliser to the grow site.
Not to say it doesn't grow well outdoors, it definitely does in the right climates. Unfortunately not that great in the north of UK.. the cold/damp/frost usually ends up moulding the bud before maturaity in October. People can grow auto flowers very well outdoors however, best to veg them indoors then take them out to flower providing you can get 12 hours of darkness in your timezone with enough time for them to finish.
If you have a indoor space, get a hyrdo tent.. something small like 75cm x 75cm or 1mx1m and start with a 250w or 400w MH or HPS setup.
Most grow shops sell bundles which includes everything to get started!
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: WaveyOne]
#26653181 - 05/06/20 03:38 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
In the piedmont area of NC. It was a sort of guerrilla grow, but it was abandoned by a friends older brothers friend back in the day after about a month of care due to a construction project by a school and an apartment complex nearby. I checked on it almost daily, but basically just observed.
Yeah. I’ve been eyeing those indoor tent shish-kabobs for a long time now, might need to put my money where my mouth is. . Kicking myself for not getting something started at the beginning of the lock down / quarantine here, but I’m not staying at my apt, so .
Fucc.
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
Edited by The Blind Ass (05/06/20 03:40 PM)
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
Quote:
The Blind Ass said: In the piedmont area of NC. It was a sort of guerrilla grow, but it was abandoned by a friends older brothers friend back in the day after about a month of care due to a construction project by a school and an apartment complex nearby. I checked on it almost daily, but basically just observed.
Yeah. I’ve been eyeing those indoor tent shish-kabobs for a long time now, might need to put my money where my mouth is. . Kicking myself for not getting something started at the beginning of the lock down / quarantine here, but I’m not staying at my apt, so .
Fucc.
Go for it dude. I've been growing canna for 10yrs and joined here as I am now looking at growing shrooms.. every day is a school day 
Don't skip on your fan and carbon filter, make sure you maintain negative pressure to keep smells at bay. Tents are best for beginners instead of a full space like your shed as it creates a clean contained environment which is easier to control.
|
Sugabearcrisp
Not Your Average Bear



Registered: 10/14/19
Posts: 12,047
Loc: maybe I had too much, too fast
Last seen: 1 day, 3 hours
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: WaveyOne] 1
#26653261 - 05/06/20 04:31 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
LED prices have come down and the lumens/watts advantage is almost 10x, i.e. a 1200watt equiv panel draws 135watts, all that effeciency means less heat. On a 4x6 table you could do two lamps and scrog for a nice even canopy
|
LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




Registered: 05/12/07
Posts: 69,333
Loc: The Inexpressible...
Last seen: 1 hour, 27 minutes
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: WaveyOne] 1
#26653263 - 05/06/20 04:33 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
I would argue that MH HPS is the best type of light that simulates sunlight. Sure LEDs are great and efficient but are they similar to sunlight?
I argue they are not. MH HPS is the best of the best in my Humble opinion
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
Quote:
Sugabearcrisp said: LED prices have come down and the lumens/watts advantage is almost 10x, i.e. a 1200watt equiv panel draws 135watts, all that effeciency means less heat. On a 4x6 table you could do two lamps and scrog for a nice even canopy
Total bullshit, sorry. I suggest you read up more on LEDs for growing, wattage is more or less equivilent like for like (maybe a saving of 10-15% on some models but they do not out weigh the costs right now).
They also still emit loads of heat but sure they might spread it more evenly.
I assume you are talking about cheap china crap and beleiving the marketing speil.
|
Sugabearcrisp
Not Your Average Bear



Registered: 10/14/19
Posts: 12,047
Loc: maybe I had too much, too fast
Last seen: 1 day, 3 hours
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: WaveyOne]
#26653546 - 05/06/20 06:41 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Not talking about cheap lights. Also note i said multiple lights plus scrog. HIDs work of course very well too, probably easier.
But still if I was setting up a 4×6 table grow it would be with two flower spectrum led panels and scrog.
An experienced grower should be able to more efficiently produce in this setup assuming a normal hybrid 8 week strain than hanging a 1000 watt hid. I will take back the 10x claim but i will not conceede that hids are anywhere near as efficient.
Edited by Sugabearcrisp (05/06/20 06:43 PM)
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
Quote:
Sugabearcrisp said: Not talking about cheap lights. Also note i said multiple lights plus scrog. HIDs work of course very well too, probably easier.
But still if I was setting up a 4×6 table grow it would be with two flower spectrum led panels and scrog.
An experienced grower should be able to more efficiently produce in this setup assuming a normal hybrid 8 week strain than hanging a 1000 watt hid. I will take back the 10x claim but i will not conceede that hids are anywhere near as efficient.
Effecient at what standard? A LED that would produce the same dry weight as a 1000w is easily 3 - 5x the price of a bulb and ballast with only the savings I quoted earlier... they also don't have the lifespan to have the savings actually pay off. So what's the point, except for better spectrum of light when you could just had MH or CHM supplemental? Environmentally probably uses a massive amount of material and energy to create in the first place off-setting any efficiency savings there too...
LEDs are only good if money is no option but it's a hard argument to say they are more efficient. Again, to what standard or metric?
|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
|
For me personally venting is not an issue as the 400w im running is vented and the hood stays vented the entire time its on.
I know a few people running the cheapest led units on amazon for veg and they seem to do ok, but id rather run my t5 conversion led bulbs and NOT deal with purple light and get a 4foot long bulb.
Ive always ran 2 600w units per 4x8foot table with very good results but i dont have those genetics or basement anymore and after selling the house and moving im just trying to see what the pulse is.
Went to a local shop today and there trying to sell me a 1200$ led panel thats Bluetooth app adjustable and blah blah blah. Sure it sounds cool but... Fuck that.
I think also using the old school buzz box ballist sucks alot more then these newer digital units.
|
WaveyOne


Registered: 05/06/20
Posts: 9
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
|
Quote:
Sofaking420 said:
I think also using the old school buzz box ballist sucks alot more then these newer digital units.
Digi ballasts all the way for sure. Also, EC fans are great. You can control them in 1% increments with a controller so they are very efficient compared to running a standard fan on a stepper controller. Less noisy too and no buzzing.
|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: WaveyOne]
#26653641 - 05/06/20 07:11 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
What is an ec fan? Currently a 4inch inline "turbo" fan. Its not too loud and i run it on a speed controler set about half way up and its run in a timer. Using insulated duct work so its pretty quiet.
My next upgrade is 6" intake and possibly 6 or 8" exhaust
|
Supernova
Stranger


Registered: 08/13/03
Posts: 3,151
|
|
I have a California Lightworks Solarsystem 550 LED in a 2X4X9 Gorilla Grow tent. Perfect for two or three plants.
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: Supernova]
#26653777 - 05/06/20 08:08 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Can’t I just use the Suns natural light and give it water... 
Even if it made buds like in the 90s and whatnot, that’s cool. Because I just make edibles. 
Rate my grow.
Water Sun Soil Wind And a couple other things.
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
|
spirit_shadow
Feature not a bug



Registered: 08/15/11
Posts: 25,665
Last seen: 1 hour, 32 minutes
|
|
My autoflowers I started in January are doing nice using the sun soil water method
-------------------- ERROR 418 IM A TEAPOT.....(this account is automated, all posts related to illegal activities or advice thereof are strictly from numerous online sites and are for informational purposes only)- Circa 2011 Ban lotto
|
Supernova
Stranger


Registered: 08/13/03
Posts: 3,151
|
|
I have a hard time keeping an outdoor plant. I had a nice pineapple chunk in my backyard last year, and a possum or raccoon or some other critter tore it up.
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
|
Quote:
spirit_shadow said: My autoflowers I started in January are doing nice using the sun soil water method 
What in tarnation is this auto flower thingamajig?
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
|
Auto flower is a breed that flowers automaticly , even under 24 hour light they will flower. Ive never been impressed honestly but its been 3 or 4 years since i last tried it.
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
|
Impressed by how the herb of it performs? Or by how the plant grows? I just want plants to make my own edibles.
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
|
Supernova
Stranger


Registered: 08/13/03
Posts: 3,151
|
|
Autos are simple and fast. I just completed a couple amnesia haze autos. Took about 10 weeks. I took the best buds and am curing those, and I made gummies out of the rest. The gummies are great.
|
The Blind Ass
Bodhi



Registered: 08/16/16
Posts: 26,657
Loc: The Primordial Mind
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: Supernova]
#26658772 - 05/08/20 11:24 PM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Sounds perfect.
-------------------- Give me Liberty caps -or- give me Death caps
|
Sugabearcrisp
Not Your Average Bear



Registered: 10/14/19
Posts: 12,047
Loc: maybe I had too much, too fast
Last seen: 1 day, 3 hours
|
|
Only issue with autos is you can't afaik clone them so you either need to make more seed or keep buying more seed. Making your own seed can also lead to re-emergence of the low thc ruderalis side responsible for the auto flower
|
Sofaking420



Registered: 02/09/18
Posts: 1,126
Loc: Myco mountain
Last seen: 15 hours, 56 minutes
|
Re: Grow light upgrade [Re: Supernova]
#26671924 - 05/15/20 04:25 AM (3 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
What is your gummy recipe?
|
|