I talked to the guy and he was happy with the efficiently at 50%, I told him he could be much better than that if he upgraded components... But like I said in the OP I'm looking for a solid DIY option. I would assume that a leafy plant needs only a few watts to grow efficiently... But hey that's why I asked
you can veg by torch light pretty much, if you have the extra week you can veg fine under a 2x4 4k 55watt LED shop light.
all new growers are fooled by how easy it is to VEG, I thought I was a BA, with my frig box lined in foil and 60watt indoor plant spot light, my reality was quickly brought in to focus when I cut the light time. even so, it is pretty easy to grow "something" its easy to play basketball with your friends too, but its nothing like the NBA level.
I think RAZ had a good point about and over overemphasis on lighting. as the primary focus on a grow set up. I have seen great flower grown by kinds, some high times winners where kind grown, but I'm not gonna name drop: they are some of the most recognized people we know, with laboratory like set ups. under conditions like that even a used ebay crackhead light would grow some decent smoke.
not everyone has the same tastes either, what I like and what someone else likes can be vastly varied. I don't really care about getting high, I love the flavors, the more complex sents and layers the better, ill put small amounts of lower in my cheek like chaw, I know its gross. it started with small soft steams, I noticed I could chew on them a bit and get some good flavors, now ill eat small cured flower whole lol.
the future: I don't see DE going anywhere soon. I think modular systems will be a future trend, I still think burlple might have place. the only thing I could bet on is that the hps mogul socket is history. not hat it wont work anymore but, I think most all research and new models will be DE.
growing plants is kind of like a conductor of a symphony, no performance is the same. difference is at the end the conductor doesn't kill everyone in his orchestra.
