New LEDS that include higher watt diodes

[tstick]

Hello, all.

I posted this topic in the Newbie section and it didn't get much response, so I was advised to try and post it here.



I am a member at Grass City and I found a link to this website from there. I am trying to collect as much information as I can before making the commitment to my first-time indoor grow.

I am 54 years old and have used MJ for 40 years. I am no stranger to the plant. I even grew some in the old days -outdoors from seed. I never really got any good results -duh!

But I made the decision to go with a tent grow in a room in my basement.

I know there are many DIY LED lights out there that would probably be a LOT less money and perform just as well as a store-bought one….but I don't want to go through all that would be required for a DIY project. I'm not electrically inclined!

I have decided to get a 3 X 3 Hydrohut Silver series 3 X 3 tent

For lighting, I want to get an Advanced XML Diamond series with the newly-added 10 watt Cree white LEDs. From what I've read, I don't think I will need supplemental lighting for that size tent…but IF I do, then I'll probably go with a Kessel 150.

But!…. I just saw the new AgroMax LEDs and wanted to ask about those, too. The newest models include something like a 50 watt diode! And they seem to have addressed the heat issue for that.

I'm still looking at fans and filters…and am considering the Phresh 6" inline fan (the little blue one) and their appropriate matching charcoal filter.

I plan on using a pre-mixed organic "super soil".

I plan on trying to pop some old bag seed that I have been saving from the old days…no idea if the seed is still viable or not.

It will be for my personal use only and kind of just a fun project if nothing else.

Any tips that anyone can lend me would be greatly appreciated! If you have any criticisms of the equipment I have chosen then please break it down for me. I want to learn!

Thanks!

 

[PSUAGRO.]

You never got good results outdoors? That's kinda alarming

Yeah the advanced 350 xml should do well over a3x3 area......stay away from any htg leds like the plague IMO.

Not my first pick on a led panel, but I've seen good results with it.

Good luck and be safe

 

[Bad Karma]

If you're getting a 3x3 tent, a 6" inline fan is overkill.
A 4" inline does a great job on a tent that sized and it's how I have current 3x3 set-up.

The Advanced XML Diamond series seems to be a decent light, but I have yet to see the results from one, since they are so new on the market.
My main concern there would be pricing, Advanced's prices are rather high for the watts, and footprint, that they offer.
Speaking of their footprint, I'm not sure that 120W can fully cover a full 3x3 area during flower like they claim.
As for AgroMax, although the concept of their new light is certainly interesting, they are seriously overpriced.
Also, other memebrs here have used AgroMax (not this model, but their older ones) and not had good luck with them.
They seem to have short life spans and produce low yields.
At least with Advanced, they tell you the spectrum and brand of diodes used, like Cree.
AgroMax does nothing of the sort, and spectrum, and diode quality, are two of the top priorities in a high quality LED light.

Around here, when it comes to LED lights, this is how our forum (more or less) unanimously see things as of now:
1. Apache Tech LED (highest par and umol readings, but extremely expensive)
2. Area 51 (also very high par and umol readings, uses all Cree diodes, has a more approachable price)
3. Hans Panel (best panel on a low budget or for tight spaces)

I personally use Area 51 and just bought a second light (the XGS-190) from them recently.

Organic is the way to go and super soil is top notch.

Now if you're going to spend all of these hundreds of dollars on the tent, light, and venting; shouldn't you at least spend a few bucks on some decent seeds that will work for sure?

 

[tstick]

Wow! Thanks for all that great input! I'm going to check out those brands right now.

Well, I'm sure you're right about the seeds. I guess I'm hoping that I can get something that's uncommon. But I'll probably buy a clone of something from one of the dispensaries around, too. Like I say, it's mainly for my own self-education and something fun to do.

Thanks so much!

 

[m4rco]

good system

 

[tstick]

Well, thanks to the kind recommendation by Bad Karma, I looked at the Area 51 and decided to go with it, instead of the Advanced light. Plus, I got $50 knocked off the regular price of the A51 because they had a discount coupon offer on the site! It seems better in all respects. So big thanks, again! I'm really psyched to get it!

 

[greatbranch]

If you're getting a 3x3 tent, a 6" inline fan is overkill.
A 4" inline does a great job on a tent that sized and it's how I have current 3x3 set-up.

The Advanced XML Diamond series seems to be a decent light, but I have yet to see the results from one, since they are so new on the market.
My main concern there would be pricing, Advanced's prices are rather high for the watts, and footprint, that they offer.
Speaking of their footprint, I'm not sure that 120W can fully cover a full 3x3 area during flower like they claim.
As for AgroMax, although the concept of their new light is certainly interesting, they are seriously overpriced.
Also, other memebrs here have used AgroMax (not this model, but their older ones) and not had good luck with them.
They seem to have short life spans and produce low yields.
At least with Advanced, they tell you the spectrum and brand of diodes used, like Cree.
AgroMax does nothing of the sort, and spectrum, and diode quality, are two of the top priorities in a high quality LED light.

Around here, when it comes to LED lights, this is how our forum (more or less) unanimously see things as of now:
1. Apache Tech LED (highest par and umol readings, but extremely expensive)
2. Area 51 (also very high par and umol readings, uses all Cree diodes, has a more approachable price)
3. Hans Panel (best panel on a low budget or for tight spaces)

I personally use Area 51 and just bought a second light (the XGS-190) from them recently.

Organic is the way to go and super soil is top notch.

Now if you're going to spend all of these hundreds of dollars on the tent, light, and venting; shouldn't you at least spend a few bucks on some decent seeds that will work for sure?

Karma - where were you when I was buying all of my stuff?????...lol. I have to agree - I have a 32x32x60 and have a 440 cfm, 6 inch, on a huge can that will suck my tent inside out. Thankfully, I can dial it down with a speed controller.

 

[greatbranch]

Well, thanks to the kind recommendation by Bad Karma, I looked at the Area 51 and decided to go with it, instead of the Advanced light. Plus, I got $50 knocked off the regular price of the A51 because they had a discount coupon offer on the site! It seems better in all respects. So big thanks, again! I'm really psyched to get it!

getting one myself. you WILL NOT be disappointed.

 

[NorthofEngland]

If you're getting a 3x3 tent, a 6" inline fan is overkill.
A 4" inline does a great job on a tent that sized and it's how I have current 3x3 set-up.

The Advanced XML Diamond series seems to be a decent light, but I have yet to see the results from one, since they are so new on the market.
My main concern there would be pricing, Advanced's prices are rather high for the watts, and footprint, that they offer.
Speaking of their footprint, I'm not sure that 120W can fully cover a full 3x3 area during flower like they claim.
As for AgroMax, although the concept of their new light is certainly interesting, they are seriously overpriced.
Also, other memebrs here have used AgroMax (not this model, but their older ones) and not had good luck with them.
They seem to have short life spans and produce low yields.
At least with Advanced, they tell you the spectrum and brand of diodes used, like Cree.
AgroMax does nothing of the sort, and spectrum, and diode quality, are two of the top priorities in a high quality LED light.

Around here, when it comes to LED lights, this is how our forum (more or less) unanimously see things as of now:
1. Apache Tech LED (highest par and umol readings, but extremely expensive)
2. Area 51 (also very high par and umol readings, uses all Cree diodes, has a more approachable price)
3. Hans Panel (best panel on a low budget or for tight spaces)

I personally use Area 51 and just bought a second light (the XGS-190) from them recently.

Organic is the way to go and super soil is top notch.

Now if you're going to spend all of these hundreds of dollars on the tent, light, and venting; shouldn't you at least spend a few bucks on some decent seeds that will work for sure?

I'd still get the 6"
but also get a fan speed controller.
You can spend as much as you like but a $10 dimmer switch is a budget option.

SEEDS
If you're putting all the time, effort and cash into this project (that you obviously are) why stay with bagseed??
And bagseed SO OLD YOU DONT EVEN KNOW IF IT'S VIABLE????
Spent a tiny bit more on some proven genetics -
GENETICS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN ANY GROWROOM

 

[gu420]

Just FYI I blew a couple of Home Depot ceiling fan/light dimmers on my inlines. Ended up having to get "solid state" controllers. They are KB Electronics model KBWC-15

 

[tstick]

I'd still get the 6"
but also get a fan speed controller.
You can spend as much as you like but a $10 dimmer switch is a budget option.

SEEDS
If you're putting all the time, effort and cash into this project (that you obviously are) why stay with bagseed??
And bagseed SO OLD YOU DONT EVEN KNOW IF IT'S VIABLE????
Spent a tiny bit more on some proven genetics -
GENETICS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN ANY GROWROOM

Well, because I thought that IF some of the old ones were still good, then it might be a surprise to see how something from years ago might turn out if it were to be grown under really good conditions (which is what I'm hoping to provide). Also, it's not just bag seed that I want to try. I'll probably either get some good seeds or possibly just buy a clone (Since I live in Seattle and have an MMJ card). The bag seed aspect is for the possibility that some real crazy pheno of an unknown strain might come out of it.

 

[gu420]

supposedly OG kush was bagseed

 

[SupraSPL]

I was able to cool a bare 600 HPS with a 90 CFM bath fan in a home made carbon filter. They are only $32 on amazon, 40 watts and very quiet. When I added more lights I had to step up to the Max Fan 6" which is adjustable 60W/70W/80W 201/264/335 CFM but it is $140.

If you wait a bit I expect there will be commercial LEDs with COBs that will dissipate 50 watts each. It would be a huge efficiency improvement over the XTE in the A51 (33%). COBs also make diy a lot easier.

 

[PSUAGRO.]

Which 50w cobs are you expecting to have such a large efficiency gain in the near future?

 

[SupraSPL]

If I was building a commercial module Id use the 3000K CXA3070 and run them at 1A (38W). At 1A it is 39% efficient. I just ordered some this morning. Planning on testing them at 700mA (25W) 42.5%. Over time Id like to replace 2400W HPS with LED and hopefully increase yields in the same space.

Im not giving up on the Red/White/Blue spectrum but have to give COBs a shot. The same cuttings come out so much danker under LED than under HPS and use half the power so there is so much potential.

 

[Positivity]

I'm still debating what route to go. I'd like to build another light around 350w...just have a feeling these cobs will be improving rapidly in the near future.

thanks for the info on the cxa3070 supra, gonna have to think about that one.

 

[NorthofEngland]

If you're getting a 3x3 tent, a 6" inline fan is overkill.
A 4" inline does a great job on a tent that sized and it's how I have current 3x3 set-up.

The Advanced XML Diamond series seems to be a decent light, but I have yet to see the results from one, since they are so new on the market.
My main concern there would be pricing, Advanced's prices are rather high for the watts, and footprint, that they offer.
Speaking of their footprint, I'm not sure that 120W can fully cover a full 3x3 area during flower like they claim.
As for AgroMax, although the concept of their new light is certainly interesting, they are seriously overpriced.
Also, other memebrs here have used AgroMax (not this model, but their older ones) and not had good luck with them.
They seem to have short life spans and produce low yields.
At least with Advanced, they tell you the spectrum and brand of diodes used, like Cree.
AgroMax does nothing of the sort, and spectrum, and diode quality, are two of the top priorities in a high quality LED light.

Around here, when it comes to LED lights, this is how our forum (more or less) unanimously see things as of now:
1. Apache Tech LED (highest par and umol readings, but extremely expensive)
2. Area 51 (also very high par and umol readings, uses all Cree diodes, has a more approachable price)
3. Hans Panel (best panel on a low budget or for tight spaces)

I personally use Area 51 and just bought a second light (the XGS-190) from them recently.

Organic is the way to go and super soil is top notch.

Now if you're going to spend all of these hundreds of dollars on the tent, light, and venting; shouldn't you at least spend a few bucks on some decent seeds that will work for sure?

Bad Karma....
(Sorry to use this thread inappropriately)
Free up some space in your PM inbox.
I spent 20 minutes writing you a letter and then I couldn't send it!!!!
I just wanted to ask you a few things about LED grow lights.
(The more I research them, the less I understand them!).

Stay rancid
NoE

 

[NorthofEngland]

If I was building a commercial module Id use the 3000K CXA3070 and run them at 1A (38W). At 1A it is 39% efficient. I just ordered some this morning. Planning on testing them at 700mA (25W) 42.5%. Over time Id like to replace 2400W HPS with LED and hopefully increase yields in the same space.

Im not giving up on the Red/White/Blue spectrum but have to give COBs a shot. The same cuttings come out so much danker under LED than under HPS and use half the power so there is so much potential.

If you're using HID's and LED's (and feel that LED's produce a better result)
It would be incredibly helpful if you posted pics of each end result.
A journal that compared the HID and LED grown plants, from start to harvest, would be even better.

Many HID users are disbelieving about the claims made of LED's.
There's just so many negative opinions out there about them.
Why not post some proof???

 

[NorthofEngland]

Well, because I thought that IF some of the old ones were still good, then it might be a surprise to see how something from years ago might turn out if it were to be grown under really good conditions (which is what I'm hoping to provide). Also, it's not just bag seed that I want to try. I'll probably either get some good seeds or possibly just buy a clone (Since I live in Seattle and have an MMJ card). The bag seed aspect is for the possibility that some real crazy pheno of an unknown strain might come out of it.

It's a long shot - but sometimes long shots pay off
Good luck.

I bought 9 cuttings last November.
They're 28 days into flower, now, and looking good.
I don't live in Seattle or have a MMJ card
but I am part of an English subculture with a healthy disrespect for unjust laws.

However, buying clone cuttings from the local WalMart would be an experience....

 

[Positivity]

^^ Nothing wrong with led...they grow fine. Just expensive

heres one at 34 days..no hid comparison though

Edit....some do work better than others is a big problem...still gotta research it and know what your buying