LED Lights...any thoughts

I don't hear too much about them. I realize they are price up front and assume thats why. But are they as good as HPS for flowering? Are they better?

Any input would be great. If they seem promising and I can grab a good deal...you never know.

LEDs are probably the future, but that future isn't here yet. Stick to HPS and check back in a few years.

In the meantime, LEDs make bad ass flashlights.

guys at my hydroshop say if you wanna give me your money ill take it..but its all hype and a waste of time

http://cgi.ebay.com/120-watt-LED-GROW-LIGHT-Red-Blue-R-B-UFO-SuperNova-TRI-/160535634378?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2560ab61ca

Are these too good to be true?

no penatration- expensivegive them about ten years

i use 2 250w lihts together a hortilux hps and a philips cmh works fine for me

mas3372 said:

I don't hear too much about them. I realize they are price up front and assume thats why. But are they as good as HPS for flowering? Are they better?

Any input would be great. If they seem promising and I can grab a good deal...you never know.

Click to expand...

There are some great LED panels out there that will grow as well if not better than HID watt for watt (most people don't realize that 95% of companies mislead about the wattage of an LED (ex: 240w Blackstar only runs on 120-150w). But to replace say a 400w HPS system with LEDs that will grow as much or better you would need at least 325w off a good LED panel or two of at least 150 actual watts. LED lights are expensive up front, but can save you money in the long run from not having to deal with as many running devices, replacing bulbs and possibly ballasts, and all the heat of HID. But realize, LEDs do put out heat that can't be as easily vented such as HID systems with hoods. You have to be pulling enough air through your exhaust/filters or LEDs could heat your room/tent more than 5-10 degrees (if you run as much or more watts of LED than is most efficient for the grow space)

I replaced my 400w HPS system with a 395w 2011 Spectra from growledhydro, and based on the many journals of lights from this company my yields should be equal to in quantity and quality (if not better) than 450w of HID
maybe even as much as a 500w HID by some peoples calculations


So I have a 395w (thats what it actually pulls from my electrical socket) 2011 Spectra LED for my 2.5ft x 2.5ft x 6ft tent with a 190cfm fan/filter and my temps above the light are 8 degrees above room temp, between the light and the top of the canopy is maybe 3 degrees above room temp, and below the canopy line is room temp or colder. Room temp being the temp of the room my grow tent is in because I can't vent it directly out the room. It puts out so little heat over all that it doesn't heat up my bedroom even with the window and door and heat vents closed (where as with my 400w HPS temps temps inside tent would quickly rise to 15 over room temp while slowly heating my room into the mid 80s)

The LED technology isn't bad as long as you buy from credible distributers. As for penetration, it depends on what brand you have but I bet I've got better penetration than any other light out there (32 watt diode). But with that being said, there is ALOT of crap out there (Chinese brands), so do your homework and ask what kind of LED's are in the panel (very important). I'de also go with a company that specializes in the industry, I use KESSIL ($200). IMO there worth it. I've got 3 successful grows so far & ask anyone, there one of the top LED manufactures around. I'de do alot of HW before you decide, good luck.

Thanks for the help...this can't be easy.

I have a 5.5x 6 foot room. 32ft2, how many watts of LED shoudl I go with and how many different lights to cover such an area?

dude save your money for the price of the led lights you can out fit a hole grow room with all the best shit. LED=

The only reason I went with LED's is because of heat issues. I can't run proper ventilation so gotta go with low heat lights. I bought my Kessil H150's because they'll be great supplemental lights when I get an HPS. I'de go with HPS right now, then down the line you can add LED supplemental lighting if you really want good light saturation. It all depends on your plans & what you want bro.

The Kessil 150w goes for about $250. I am not sure on the coverage so how many would I want for a 6.5 x 4.5 (29ft2) area. It would be about 1400watt of HID.

Just doing the math, If I go with 3 of them, it will run me $750 as opposed to $600 for 2 600W HPS setups. But I save $150 on a blower fan and $125 on a environmental control plus I save on about $100 of duct work. But would 3 work for that size area?

mas3372 said:

The Kessil 150w goes for about $250. I am not sure on the coverage so how many would I want for a 6.5 x 4.5 (29ft2) area. It would be about 1400watt of HID.

Just doing the math, If I go with 3 of them, it will run me $750 as opposed to $600 for 2 600W HPS setups. But I save $150 on a blower fan and $125 on a environmental control plus I save on about $100 of duct work. But would 3 work for that size area?

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You would need 4 Kessils bro, which isn't rational.
There about $200 here http://hypnotichydroponics.com/ledpurplegrowlightbykessil.aspx
I'de advise against it if you don't have supplemental lighting.

If you look around you could get (1) 1000 watt for around $400. Thats a small room, like mine, I don't think you need (2) 600 Watters, it'll be too cramped (depends on the room layout). Your plants will have more than enough light, but you better have good enviromental control.
Ducting shouldn't be around $100, thats too high IMO. Either get (1) 600 or 1000 watt in the beginning & see if you want to expand more.
Like I said it all depends what you want.
If you want low maintenence, then get LED.
If you want big buds/plants get HPS.

OrezO said:

You would need 4 Kessils bro, which isn't rational.
There about $200 here http://hypnotichydroponics.com/ledpurplegrowlightbykessil.aspx
I'de advise against it if you don't have supplemental lighting.

If you look around you could get (1) 1000 watt for around $400. Thats a small room, like mine, I don't think you need (2) 600 Watters, it'll be too cramped (depends on the room layout). Your plants will have more than enough light, but you better have good enviromental control.
Ducting shouldn't be around $100, thats too high IMO. Either get (1) 600 or 1000 watt in the beginning & see if you want to expand more.
Like I said it all depends what you want.
If you want low maintenence, then get LED.
If you want big buds/plants get HPS.

Click to expand...

Yeah I am leaning towards HPS. thats what I have used before. Just tough saying no to the potential savings in the long run. For environmental, I like the PAR temp/humid for about $125. they work great.

I'm looking towards a 600 watt in the future, just need to buy a house first so I set up a dedicated room. A 600 watt with my 2 Kessils & the 200 watt CFL is going to be a good mix of lumens. It'll be interesting to how the plants turn out. Can you specify on the "PAR", I need to look into something thats more efficient than what I'm currently using.

I wouldn't totally forget LED's, I hear good things about Blackstars, but haven't used them so I have no input.
If I were you; get the 600 watt HPS (your basement will need the heat~60 degrees...too cold)
How many plants you plan on running every perpectual grow?

excellent supplemental source but it's expensive.