Htg/black star 240 vs cfl for current set up?

[Cdubya]

So for the last few years I have been growing in a 42w x 24d x 36h with a homemade reflector sporting 12 42 watt cfl mostly 2700 k for flower but decent mix. I have had pretty good results over the years, indicate grow best and I use LST to keep plants short as height is only 36". I have 50 cfm bath fan exhaust and passive intake. This setup is in an outdoor building which is not heated so cfls keep it at perfect temp in winter but too hot for summer. Was wondering if I would improve my product any by switching to an led as I am pulling tons of power especially with space heater for lights out. I know many will say HID with cool tube but looking to see the validity of any LEDs. I already know cfls will grow some top notch buds when done right, and have heard many say that they simply cannot. Anyway small box looking to upgrade light and quality while downgrade power consumption. Any help appreciated thanks

 

[Campo Cultivator]

Hey mate a led isnt going to help with the heat when the lights are switched off but they can grow some top notch nugs you may well struggle with 36" with a 3 watt diode tho good luck

 

[FlightSchool]

I asked this same question recently, I was steered away from LEDs

I would check out T5's and/or CERAMIC metal halide

 

[dolamic]

So for the last few years I have been growing in a 42w x 24d x 36h with a homemade reflector sporting 12 42 watt cfl mostly 2700 k for flower but decent mix. I have had pretty good results over the years, indicate grow best and I use LST to keep plants short as height is only 36". I have 50 cfm bath fan exhaust and passive intake. This setup is in an outdoor building which is not heated so cfls keep it at perfect temp in winter but too hot for summer. Was wondering if I would improve my product any by switching to an led as I am pulling tons of power especially with space heater for lights out. I know many will say HID with cool tube but looking to see the validity of any LEDs. I already know cfls will grow some top notch buds when done right, and have heard many say that they simply cannot. Anyway small box looking to upgrade light and quality while downgrade power consumption. Any help appreciated thanks

Sounds like you're in a Grow Lab Clone box. Or roughly the same size as one. 2 Blackstars would run great in there and keep it cool in the winter time.
I've just recently upgraded to a Blackstar 240 and I love it. It will cut back your wattage a bit as they run around 180 watts. People won't ever steer me
away from LED's, unless I plan on growing in a bigger area. For the small grows it's the best.

 

[Cdubya]

Hey campo why do u think 36" I'm gonna struggle with. I tie my plants down and keep them pretty short, even stativas I have had only 18". I know it won't help with summer heat and lights off but gives me less to cool when lights on. Hey dolamic do u think one light would work or should I just get a little bigger one

 

[FranJan]

^^^The fact that you know how to LST is a plus if you want to use a low wattage panel and 36" wouldn't be a problem then. You should steer away from Blackstars, (I have 2 BS240w, which draw 135 watts each actually), and if you have the extra money look into Area51 which are a better deal in the long run. They're having an inventory clearance on their panels, some of which are perfect for your grow area btw. You may want to hold off till they introduce their new line though. If you go with the Blackstars you'll hit the wall of what they can produce per strain. Still if you get a deal on 2x240s go for it, since they're just about perfect for your grow area.

How much weight are you pulling out of your grow with CFLs? Answering that can help people tell you a good replacement for your CFLs. Good Luck and Happy Growing!

 

[Cdubya]

Well depends how many plants I grow and time I put into them. I have done up to four in box but gets too crowded for cfl especially. I am doing just one super lemon haze right now and look to get a little over 2 oz from her. I would ideally like 4-6 oz from 2-3 plants per harvest

 

[FranJan]

You can just about do that, (4 to 6 zips from 2 to 3 plants), using 2 Blackstar 240s but other panels will give you more weight. I've got some SLH going right now and while it's not a great yielding strain it should be 3 to maybe 4 zips from 2 plants. If I had vegged it more and grew it under my new panel, I would have got more. Great strain for LED, gets all nasty crystally .

 

[Cdubya]

So what kind of light would I be looking for that is comparable to two blackstars

 

[FranJan]

Off the top of my head I would think Area51 Models 60 or 90, or Vipar A100s (if you're in Canada or Europe especially) would be nice. Some folks like Advanced LED, there's also Cidly.com who make the Apollo line of panels. And Blackstar's "Chrome" series seem to be a step up. Don't get me wrong, 2 BS240s will certainly grow some bud, just that they're a little long in the tooth nowadays. What I always say to people is look around at other people's LED grows and see what you like.

 

[justanotherbozo]

have you considered PL-Ls as a possible option?

...here you can see 4x 55watt bulbs with the ballast and plugs and such before i'd installed them in my new clone-box and another shot of that box with the bulbs in place.

bozo

 

[Cdubya]

Ya have never really considered those. Have seen some nice led's in person but were very pricey and would like to go that route.