LED seems to be cheaper on the electricity bill and don't produce as much heat right? But what wattage do I need? Same 200 per plant?
Definitely. It produces almost no heat. But it produces less bud too. I ran a 90 watt LED UFO for my first few rounds. I used low stress training to make the plants as short as possible and gradually added more and more CFLs to assist the LED. What started out as a LED grow became a CFL assisted LED grow, which became a LED assisted CFL grow, which became a CFL grow with a disco light. Then I switched to a 600w HPS. I recommend jumping right to the HPS. Skip the LED, the slow accumulation of CFLs, the LST. The same footprint that accommodated 2 LSTed plants now holds 4 non-LSTed plants. The buds produced by the HPS are twice the size of those produced by the CFLs and the party light. The HPS does produce a lot of heat, though, requiring you to address your ventilation much more aggressively. LED and/or CFLs can get you going cheaper and easier, with less effort and commitment. But nothing compares to HPS. I can't say how much LED wattage is sufficient. I do know that 90w is not sufficient and last time I checked (not recently) LED lamps were rather pricey.
I think that varies. I have a California Lightworks 800w 5 watt LED that pulls about 690 watts with everything on. I have to have my inline fan on near max and the tent is about 80-83 degrees. If you buy a LED with low wattage which will give you not a very good grow it generates hardly any heat. More Wattage = more heat. Pulling 690 watts and 5 amps of juice be it LED, HID, CFL generates heats. Laws of Physics at work there. I would only go LED if you can afford a good one or just want a small grow. HID is still the reference standard for growing and 100% will produce outstanding dope everytime. If you have the money then LED can do the same. Buy a 100 dollar LED you get a 100 dollar grow light.
i have to agree with the guy whos grow journal is slowly showing me that my 600w hid could use a 200w led boost. luls. last night a fellow blade reffered me to a grow on a different forum of a guy who gre 2 autos with 1 led panel and pulled just under a pund. off autos.... im just saying at the end of the day you get what you put into it be hid or led. but led is deffinatly a standing competitor in the growing world. there are some absolutly amazing grows with just leds. either way, good luck on your decision and your future grow