Can Someone Teach Lights 101??

[Kirker]

I read and hear about all different TYPES of light: LED, halogin(?), sodium filled, etc etc etc. Can somebody give some quick pros and cons of each??

:rastasmoke:

[Weezard]

I read and hear about all different TYPES of light: LED, halogen(?), sodium filled, etc etc etc. Can somebody give some quick pros and cons of each??

:rastasmoke:

Tall order, brah.:)

And It can get technical.
Not da kine thing you can jus' spoon-feed.

It would be mo' betta to read till yer eyes bleed.
Then you can ask less general questions to fill in any gaps in what you learn on your own.

You'll get a lot more out of it.:cool:

Or, detail your situation and ask what light best suits you.
Or, open with the answers to all the questions folk will have to ask you to be able to suggest a match.

Budget?
Cost of power?
Heat/ventilation constraints?
Size of area?
Your skill level?
Grow style?
Etc?

That way, you may reap more than opinion, argument, and sales reps.:D

Aloha,
Weezard

[bigtopsfinn]

Start here: Indoor Lighting - Cannabis Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News (http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/)

There are 4 threads in red called 'stickies' at the top of that section. Should have all the info you need. I'd get a cup of coffee going :jointsmile:

[Dutch Pimp]

'the truth is out there'....:abduct:read...:thumbsup:

[Kirker]

Start here: Indoor Lighting - Cannabis Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News (http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/)

There are 4 threads in red called 'stickies' at the top of that section. Should have all the info you need. I'd get a cup of coffee going :jointsmile:

Oh ok, I didn't see that lighting section, I will read some threads. As far as the being more specific, I guess my biggest concerns would be:
1) Safety
2) Low Heat (ties in with #1)
3) Cost to OPERATE
4) Performance (I suppose that kinda goes without saying)

:rastasmoke:

P.S. With my limited knowledge of light, looking at items 1-3, I might guess LED to be my choice?? Thoughts??

[THContent]

Oh ok, I didn't see that lighting section, I will read some threads. As far as the being more specific, I guess my biggest concerns would be:
1) Safety
2) Low Heat (ties in with #1)
3) Cost to OPERATE
4) Performance (I suppose that kinda goes without saying)

:rastasmoke:

You are leaving out two of the most important factors (imho): Yield/Quality.

Of course it's about more than just lighting, but lighting does play a big role in production.

[Kirker]

You are leaving out two of the most important factors (imho): Yield/Quality.

Of course it's about more than just lighting, but lighting does play a big role in production.

5) Yield/Quality (kinda ties in with item 4)

Thanks for correcting me! ;)

[bigsby]

Also factor in expectations. If you can afford LEDs and you do your homework you will find a solution to meet your needs. However, if you want the easiest, shortest route then go with HID. I choose LED due to heat and safety concerns. Long term costs advantages were a bonus.

[Kirker]

Also factor in expectations. If you can afford LEDs and you do your homework you will find a solution to meet your needs. However, if you want the easiest, shortest route then go with HID. I choose LED due to heat and safety concerns. Long term costs advantages were a bonus.

What does HID stand for?

:rastasmoke:

[bigsby]

try this... hid lighting definition - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=CXs&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=hid+lighting+definition&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&gs_upl=3629%2C70%2C8%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C)

[LUDACRIS]

Things to know about lighting (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wYZ3GvPv96wJ:www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/723-things-know-about-lighting.html+things+to+know+about+lighting+rollit up&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk)

[LUDACRIS]

What does HID stand for?

:rastasmoke:

H high
I intensity
D discharge

(found on motor vehicle headlamps mostly).

[LUDACRIS]

What you want for growing is an HPS bulb (multi spectrum).


H high
P pressure
S sodium

:thumbsup:

[bronc76]

Actually you want metal halide and high presure sodium. Metal Halide provides the blue spectrum good for vegging and High Presure Sodium provides a red spectum better for flowering. They have conversion bulbs so you dont have to get a switchable ballast but thats what i would recomend. The wattage of your setup really depends on the size of the enclosure you intend to use. You can look on your power bill and see how much your paying per kilawatt hour. A 1000w lamp uses one kilawatt per hour it is on. I use a 1000w air cooled fixture with 440cfm of air flowing through light, really helps with heat. I have a 10x5x7 enclosure and have to use a 12,000btu window A/C and 2 10inch turbo fans to keep the room between 70 and 80 deg with the light on. Hope some of this helps. I dont have any experience with flourecents or LED's, sorry.:rasta:

[LetsSeeYa]

Seems as you are new to the hobby in less i missed something. So in my opinion you should go with CFL'S. You will have a low cost for the bulbs and a few hook lights with splitters will give you a nice grow. It did me. But i was new to growing and could start with only a couple bulbs and the hook light. I grew out 4 nice ladies and was very impressed with yield and quality. And if ya do not find that you dont enjoy all that comes with indoor growing, your only out a few bucks. But if you do like the hobby, you can step up your game with HID lighting, which i believe is best iv seen here, but never used one myself so please look at grow logs to figure that out for yourself. But i do like the LED's, just a bit pricy to start with, but in the long run they are cheep to run and low heat. But if ya take my advise and then get the CFL's, then move to HID or LED you can always use the CFL's to keep a mother plant. This way you can clone her while you have others in flower. If ya want to see a very easy set up, look in my Sig at the '10 indoor grow for an idea. Just a thought bro,


Good luck :rasta:

[LUDACRIS]

1 bulb will do. Thats why they made multi spectrum HPS bulbs that have multi coloured spectrum outputs so you can go from seed the harvest without changing lamps. I always stick to a growlux sunmaster and never change from seedlig to harvest.
:thumbsup:

[bobjob4u]

I have found from my years of self research. That mixed spectrums seem to grow better yeild . If all other factors are in order. Speaking of mostly autoflower experience. Therefore the success of constistantly producing large autoflower yeilds, Due to obsession . Has found that , yes light is a very important factor concerning yeild . Anyway My personal belief is that blue spectrum promotes new growth and red spectrum promote flowering. So i always use MH for first 2 weeks then both . At a 1/3 MH- 2/3 hps of total watts used . throughout remainder of grow. Guess that is why them led and other mixed spectrums do well. Just thought if you could promote growth while flowering, the yeild would improve. not sure , but it hasnt hurt anything:thumbsup: