Question about Area 51 models

Gaius said:

That's just the XGS. The SGS has a solid flowering reputation. I think the XGS was more geared to be an all-around light for bringing small grows from seed to completion. The SGS can do that too though, and will likely produce better flowers with its increased red spectrum...I'm obviously a huge proponent of DIY though...

Click to expand...

I have the thought to build myself two red/deep-red panels to supplement my XGS with.
I'm aware of the wavelengths and ratios in use by some of the popular models, but I'm not sure how adjustments may effect the plant.
- Can I add too much red?

If not, what do you think of this configuration for a red bloom panel:
10 cree xp-e red (630), 10 phillips deep-red (660), 4 cree xp-g cool-white
- all with 60 and 80 degree lenses depending on position)
- arranged on maybe a 4x18 heatsink

I'm sure I've left things out, because I'm new at this, but try to give some good feedback anyway if possible, thanks.

JJ43 said:

I have the thought to build myself two red/deep-red panels to supplement my XGS with.
I'm aware of the wavelengths and ratios in use by some of the popular models, but I'm not sure how adjustments may effect the plant.
- Can I add too much red?

If not, what do you think of this configuration for a red bloom panel:
10 cree xp-e red (630), 10 phillips deep-red (660), 4 cree xp-g cool-white
- all with 60 and 80 degree lenses depending on position)
- arranged on maybe a 4x18 heatsink

I'm sure I've left things out, because I'm new at this, but try to give some good feedback anyway if possible, thanks.

Click to expand...

I think you'll find it hard to have too much red if you are flowering. You may want to look into those inexpensive red COBs that PetFlora has been linking. Seems like a great option to supplement the XGS without using up too much valuable space.

Gaius said:

I think you'll find it hard to have too much red if you are flowering. You may want to look into those inexpensive red COBs that PetFlora has been linking. Seems like a great option to supplement the XGS without using up too much valuable space.

Click to expand...

Ive read that using CFL's can help bud formation during flowering as well..

in your opnions would you go with a red light or a CFL.

midgetaus said:

Ive read that using CFL's can help bud formation during flowering as well..

in your opnions would you go with a red light or a CFL.

Click to expand...

if your area is easily kept cool, the I highly recommend supplementing with 2700k T5HO. For about $150 you can grab 2 2' T5 lights (including bulbs) and put one on either side of your plants. I'm currently doing this with my XGS and the buds are just exploding. If you can afford it, buy 2 of the 4' 4-bulb T5 lights and put them on either side of the plants, like so:



Has a nice secondary function of nice shiny reflective side-walls to your grow area.

I am not a huge fan of CFL. When I ran CFL my grow area became a tangle of cords and shit hanging all over the place. Hated it.

Gaius said:

if your area is easily kept cool, the I highly recommend supplementing with 2700k T5HO. For about $150 you can grab 2 2' T5 lights (including bulbs) and put one on either side of your plants. I'm currently doing this with my XGS and the buds are just exploding. If you can afford it, buy 2 of the 4' 4-bulb T5 lights and put them on either side of the plants, like so:

Has a nice secondary function of nice shiny reflective side-walls to your grow area.

I am not a huge fan of CFL. When I ran CFL my grow area became a tangle of cords and shit hanging all over the place. Hated it.

Click to expand...

Yeah.... But... That honestly doesn't mean anything at all. For one SGS is a small light right and of course if you add side lighting things will take off. Just as an example with HID horizontal bulbs in hoods if in the right room with enough space I can double yeilds with vertical hung bulbs down about mid height into the flowers. Why? Less reflected light, mush more direct light and much more light from all angles. Obviously that would be a multi lamp setup to achieve such but that just goes to show side lighting is effective not that one light is ineffective. Just my $.02

gk skunky said:

Yeah.... But... That honestly doesn't mean anything at all...

...Obviously that would be a multi lamp setup to achieve such but that just goes to show side lighting is effective not that one light is ineffective. Just my $.02

Click to expand...

Sheesh. Somewhat harsh response there. I think it means plenty. Anyways I never claimed CFL to be ineffective. I just personally didn't like the clutter. He has a similar light and I recommended an approach that worked for me.

Gaius said:

Sheesh. Somewhat harsh response there. I think it means plenty. Anyways I never claimed CFL to be ineffective. I just personally didn't like the clutter. He has a similar light and I recommended an approach that worked for me.

Click to expand...

I think you completely misunderstood or misinterpreted me or what I was trying to get at.... Though I should have perhaps been a bit... more specific. LOL So you said in the post I quoted how the T5s really made it explode. All I was getting at is that could be a spacial issue and that side lighting in a lot of cases can exponentially increase yeilds, all while depending on the type, quality, and quantity of light no doubt. I really don't get why people perceive some of what I say as condescending, though somehow it seems to happen.... People seem to take away from things I don't even mention or make assumptions to the subject matter. I never said anything about the CFLs. Though I would claim them to be one of the least effective options by far, might as well use T-8s. Though better than standard t-12 flos, halogen, mercury vapor or any of that garbage. Been there trashed that. LOL

So in short was just getting at that adding the T5s only proves you needed side lighting, that may be the upper lamps fault. Or... It can also be a spacial thing. If you have things crowded in too much you rob yourself of spread(in some cases not all) and/or reflected light. That's where side lighting KILLS! And I don't me kill as in actually destroy your plants but just to use your terminology it "explodes". Not making fun if you take it that way I just like some colorful and drastic verbiage. LOL

My apologies. Someone once told me it's just because I'm a scientist and a little to techincal/analytical. Meh.... lol

PS I hate the fucking internet because people love me in real life, in text form not so much... LOL

^^^ that's funny shit right there and I can relate. People tell me I sound arrogant in my writing yet in person it's just the opposite.

Funny stuff.

What should I get to increase my yield if I have already an XGS 190? A T5 system or something like magenta/purple kessils? What would be more beneficial?

vladimiroslav said:

What should I get to increase my yield if I have already an XGS 190? A T5 system or something like magenta/purple kessils? What would be more beneficial?

Click to expand...

Gaius said:

I think you'll find it hard to have too much red if you are flowering. You may want to look into those inexpensive red COBs that PetFlora has been linking. Seems like a great option to supplement the XGS without using up too much valuable space.

Click to expand...

This is from earlier in the thread.
I'm thinking about trying out two of them.
I don't think I can afford the DIY I was dreaming up.

I think what matters is keeping the wattage on a 4x4 the same or lower than a 1kw hps. That way your always cool efficient and you can always outshine the hps if you hit 1kw actual watts.

What if I had two xgs in about a 4x4 closet that's 8 feet tall,maybe a little less than 4x4. Would that be enough? Or should I get a sgs instead of a second xgs? What would you recommend

I think that will be enough could be wrong though