THe sCientist's LED Grow + Setup & more...

[THesCientist]

Well hello! I've decided to try an LED only grow after some inspiration from VTEC and the others in his thread.

I'm ordering these lights: http://www.homegrownlights.com/12Vled.html

I can't order till after the 2nd...they get a vacation I guess...

This will be a completely open thread, if you think of anything to ask, or suggestions please feel free. This is my first LED grow, and I hope we can all get some more answers after this one.

Here's some pics of the grow spot, supplies, nutes...etc.

[THesCientist]

The first 2 are the spot. My friend is the "meter reader" no worries there. Also, it's right next to the main complex exhaust chimney.



Suggestion: when building a bubbler...don't buy anything but rubbermaid, sterilite is CRAP!

[THesCientist]

Heres a couple for anyone who wants to use a power supply and doesn't know how to jump it.

It's really, really simple.

Find the Green/Black wires that are right next to each other, on the clip side. Cut them, twist them, cap them...jumped. You can now control the power from the back of the power supply its self.

I'm also using this same power supply to power my LED's...schwing.

[THesCientist]

The germs...

Let's see how they do!

I'll post again when they sprout!

[brokencage]

Awsome!!Im looking foreword to this.Iv been to chicken to try it myself

[Maccgyver]

looking forward to this since I too will be going on the led journey very soon but adding it in conjunction with the cfls (I already have to see waht the results are.

[ataglance]

I'm glued to this one... I've been thinking about using LEDs for a stealth grow in the near future. I can't wait to see how this turns out. good luck!

[THesCientist]

Thanks for the support guys!

I got an email back from a professor @ Univ. of Florida with suggestions:

"...if it were my grow; I would use around 300 total watt mixed spectrum compact fluoro for veg, and LED only for bloom. While complete LED is a wonderful thing; the Blue spectrum is a very tough range to tackle. Even if you buy the proper nm, it's also a matter of the power going in to the unit, clarity, and how well it powers the light. Red, however, is MUCH easier to deal with. What you see is truly what you get with that. The boards you had me look at are very nice, and I'm surprised that they are not more expensive, even for a "do-it-yourself" kit. For my money, I would do between 4 & 6 all Red boards to accomplish your grow. If you're looking for a more satisfying yield; go for at least 5. Don't go overboard and use more than 6 though. For 2 plants, that is more than sufficient. ****** I hope this helps you in your quest of LED assisted growing. Please keep me up to date."

I plan to order the LED's this week, and now I have to go to a hardware store and pick up some CFLs. The professor said his most potent yield came from this type of setup.


The beauties should be sprouting in the next couple days...woooo!

-tS

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by THesCientist

I got an email back from a professor @ Univ. of Florida with suggestions

haha....That's just awesome. Does he actually know you're growing weed? It sounds like it from his post. If so, props to him for being so open minded .

[THesCientist]

He's grown his own. "experimented" he says...rrriiiiiight.

[ataglance]

I got an email back from a professor @ Univ. of Florida with suggestions:

...

I want that professor!


I will be following in almost your exact footsteps very very soon. You're using floros for the seedlings, yes?


God damn, i can't pull myself away from the computer...

[THesCientist]

So the weirdest thing happened...the seeds germ'd beautifully...then didn't do anything. I did the normal, worked everyother time method and got NOTHING! Boo. Batch 2 is now under the bowl...



Other than that; I got almost everything to get this rolling. Per "The Professor", I'm using 8 27w CFL's and 4 47w Full Spectrum CFL's for Veg.

I'm ordering the LED panels this weekend, and I just picked up a fresh batch of solder and impulse bought a Cool Touch solder gun...it's pretty sweet.

I'll post some pics when something changes...or the F-ing seeds sprout...

-tS

[THesCientist]

Panels are ordered! Tracking says 4 days!

I'm going to start building a hood for these this week.

1 Chieftec 400w Power Supply
4 4" PC Fans
2 6" PC Fans
4 100% Red LED Panels


I'm hoping to build something that will hold all that...vent hot air up, through and out, and be height adjustable...glad I paid attention in shop class.

Pics when I start the hood, or my panels show up.

-tS

[THesCientist]

'Bout time they showed up.

Let the party begin.

[THesCientist]

Ok, for comparison later;

Static Temp Prior to Grow: 76f
Humid: 48%
Static Temp CFL Sprout: 77.3f
Humid: 48%

So far, it looks like the temp won't be an issue.


I decided against an air scrubber. I'm going to vent straight out of the buildings main exhaust chimney. I went up to the roof and took a whif, they routed all the airborne ventilation to one area...bottom line; the air coming out smells like something died in there. Not worried about the smell from me. Ionizer and Airfresh for me.

-tS