LED with CFL

[SmurfKiller]

I have a 125w CFL bulb and it is OK, i get an OK yield for what i put in. But now i have started a new plant "White Widow" and i wanted to try to get a larger yield.

So i was thinking of throwing in a LED panel, something like this

http://www.amazon.fr/Fuloon-croissance-dintérieur-Greenhouse-Glasshouse/dp/B009NO9PO6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400852658&sr=8-1&keywords=led+grow

But on the side of the plant. I have limited space in my grow cupboard. have a look at the picture attached.

Just to help the lower parts of the plant to get some more light, CFL light penetration sucks.

Is it worth it?

 

[B166ER420]

Agreed cfl light penetration sucks...but if you can keep good growing environment they work just fine.

DO NOT BUY THAT LED LIGHT!!!!!
I had the exact same one, a friend gave it to me and I gave it back

Look into the cree led bulbs or even some t5 lights would be a better value.GL

 

[SmurfKiller]

So you would recommend going for just plain old LED house lights instead of the "Grow Panels" ?

 

[redbeard420]

Im not sure about using the cree led. I use a custom 140 ufo from a local hydro shop right now. Plus I just added 2 43w cfl to help finish these last 2 or 3 weeks. Only had the cfls in there for 12 hr so far but you can watch my grow journal if you would like to see the answer to your question without spending a dime lol.

 

[GrowinDad]

I use normal household cree leds in my veg area. I break out the protective glass on them as well. I don't recall seeing any that get into the 2700-3000 range, only bright white which is not what you want for flower.

If you can invest in a good led, it may be your way to go. I have read about them bleaching out leaves though if you keep too close, but have never had an issue with that. I use an area 51 in my flower tent.

 

[harris hawk]

Good idea - More Light = More Buds Consider "side-lighting" this will increase your yields by 30% at least, use CFL's for that

 

[TubePot]

So you would recommend going for just plain old LED house lights instead of the "Grow Panels" ?

Check out Captainmorgan's thread. https://www.rollitup.org/t/flowering-with-cree-bulbs.656542/

 

[SmurfKiller]

So after some reading. I think my best option is to move to a HPS Bulb for flowering.

I only have a small about 60 x 60 cm grow area. So from what i can see, i can just replace my 4U 125w CFL with a 250w HPS

It is actually cheaper than getting LED Lighting. I found this
http://www.cultureindoor.com/1036-super-hps-250-w-superplant.html
And this
http://www.cultureindoor.com/436-ballast-eti-duo-mh-hps-250w.html

My only concern would be the heat. But a 250w HPS wouldn’t produce that much heat would it? Do you think a small clip on fan like this
http://www.cultureindoor.com/1427-ventilateur-a-clips-15-cm.html
Would do the trick.


And with this change i should expect a much higher yield.