Hey everyone I need help with choosing lighting for my box. Between HPS, CFL, and LED I have considered all routes but Cannot really decide what will be the best for me. My system will be a 1 plant maybe 2 plants after a few grows but 1 for the first few. I know going LED will give me the most room because of the lower heat and being able to get closer to the light. The box is 2x2. Here is pictures of the box http://imgur.com/MmreHK1,E5JYcx0,RfSeLCz,61LyGVz,Hr6l19L,Bu8hOUN#0 For CFL I could go the giant 125w CFL bulbs with reflector. Then for HPS I would go a 150w like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/HYDROFARM-SBM150S-150W-Mini-Sunburst-HPS-Grow-Light-Bulb-Reflector-Hood-w-Lamp-/231473730267?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e4e8d2db Then for LED im considering either a 180w Mars Hydro UFO or a 300w Mars Hydro. If you had to choose what lighting system what one do you think would be the best for this box. Thank you in advance to all those who reply!
If you can afford to invest in led's, that might be best for you in the long run. You could even supplement with some CFL's.
I was considering the LED light but some other people on a different forum said I should stay away from the LED and just do CFL because the LED light would be too close
I have never used led's personally, but my understanding is they don't make much heat. How close is too close and why?
I have a small 2'x4'x5' tent and am glad I went with a 300 watt LED. I've just got two seedling going at the moment. But they seem to like the light a lot! I also am experimenting with four 23 watt 6500K CFLs in separate sockets down lower than, and to the outside of, the rectangular LED lite. I'm using the CFLs mostly to supplement the LED in terms of heat output because it gets down into the 50's in the room where the tent is located. The CFLs are small potatoes in terms of light output but the seedlings seem to be happy. So far, the combination keeps a nice, even 75 degrees. Also, I haven't had to to run the blower fan yet using the cooler running LED lite. The temperature hasn't gone up nearly as much as it would've with HIDs. As the plants grow under the LED, I'll position the CFLs so they provide the plants with a little light from down under. I'm not going to try keep them as close to the plants as most people because I'm mostly relying on the LED to supply the plants lighting needs. I may even discontinue using the CFLs down the line and use just the LED. Either way, I really like the flexibility the two offer. The 400 watt combined system seems to be perfect for my sized tent in terms of both light and heat output. But that's just me and a more experienced grower might laugh at this and point out a bunch horrible flaws and I'll be like FUCK! Of course, the proof of the LED-CFL system will be plant health, veg growth, and later bud production. I think HID (metal Halide for veg, HPS for flower) supposedly yields a little more on the average. But you do have to battle the heat - especially on comparatively small tents like ours. Edtt - a friend is using T5 fluorescent and having pretty good success. But I'll stick with LEDs so far
sounds like i might try duplicating your set up...... i just discoveed gc & have been reading here to try & figure out the best grow tent/lighting options for my 1st grow....1-2 plants (GDP). Just trying to save some $$ meds. It's getting pricey now that I'm using a Volcano vaporizer. I'm going thru much more with this method so gotta try to see how effective my home grow will be. In fact that is a good question.......is it possible to grow medicine that has the same medicinal impact as the meds I currently buy from a dispenserary? I'd hate to put the time & effort into this only to end up with sub par medicine. I know it may take a couple of tries but if only the "big" / professional growers could grow quiality meds than I don't think i'd see so many home growers. I'm looking at a 2x2 or 2x4 tent with LED. Do you know anything about CO2? I've seen chat of adding it but not sure it's needed for small tent ?