Several LED'S vs. MH + HPS Together?

Alright, so I plan on building a decent sized grow room. Planning on spending around $15k for lights, CO2, air conditioner, etc. One of the biggest things I keep researching and going over in my head is the types of lights to use. I first thought of just using a couple 1,000w HPS's, then I thought of mixing a 1,000w MH with mayyybe 2 1,000w HPS's. Now I'm reading more about LED's and they seem to have a lot going for them as well.

A few things will possibly factor into helping with my decision. I'm hoping for a constant 60-80dayish harvest. I wouldn't be able to grow my plants too tall so I would just start my 12/12 on and off sooner. I'm planning on having at max 40-60 plants growing.

I've seen a crapload of vids on HPS's beating LED's, but I've also seen several vids of the opposite including: Commercial Grow using LED Grow Lights - YouTube which seems very enticing. I know that there are a lot of people who have tried LED's and have been unsuccessful but the newer LED's seem like they might be even better than HID's..even though it's just the website talking. The website I'm really looking at for LED's is: LED Grow Lights by ProSource Worldwide Inc.

If I did decide to go with the LED's, really not sure on if 2-3 of the 350w ones would be better as they say it is the same output as a 1,000w HID (NOT relative in lumens however), or if 6-10 of the 180w ones (about 600w output of a HID) would be better.



Money isn't really a factor at my startup, but in the longrun electricity-wise the LED's would save me a lottt. Just looking for your opinions on what you think would be the best situation. Which do you think would get the most in yield? <- biggest question

There are just so many pros and cons to both. LED's you can switch between blue and red spectrums..although I could always just do MH and HPS's. LED's would save countless amounts of money in the long run, and would be less detectable by authorities, where HID's are expensive to run, would need a really decent air conditioning system, and have to be replaced significantly more often. HID's however are a 'guarantee' that I would get great bud with a decent settup.

If going purely for amount of yield I think I would go with HID's just because of there performance record, but even if LED's are relatively close I could make so much more because of all the saving costs.

Really stuck on this one and any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated :]

I'd go with the HPS HIDs....and run them at 240v....

I've read good things about the LEDs....but have also read that the fans and power converters don't last as long as the diodes do.... So LED lighting companies sell the idea of never having to replace the diodes....but they fail to mention how much it will cost to maintain the lamp once the fans and converters start to fail....again, that's what I read....but dont know from personal experience....

Wish I had $15k to put towards a grow room.... I know exactly how I'd set it up too.... Good luck with your grow :thumbsup:....:jointsmile:....

Read up on Digilux bulbs....

CGI::::::

Thank you for responding so quickly CanGroIt.

I have read what you say as well about the fans and power converters and all that fun stuff dying out before the diodes. However, the amount of money I would save running 3 350w LED's, or 10 180w LED's instead of the 3k watts(1 MH and 2 HPS's) would itself pay for 3 or 10 new lights in 2.5 years which is half what the LED companies say the lights are good for, not including the cost of running an air conditioner way more often with the HID's. Assuming the fans and power converters last that long (which is an assumption on my part, but it is only 50% of the lifetime they say it will have) I would still be making more money with LED's.

Not sure if you were basing your whole answer on that, but if thats the case it wouldn't be a problem for me.

One of the biggest concerns on my part is plant growth seeing as I want to be harvesting every 60-80 days or so. Would it be more, less, or equivalent to a respective HID system?

Well aside from the longevity and efficiency....LEDs have yet to penetrate and build buds like HPS does....

Forget about an A/C....I mean A/C is good to have but if you want to run CO2, in a sealed room, water cooled lighting is the way to go.... Get a chiller with the equipment that goes with....and temps will be a breeze to handle....

Since you say that money isn't a prob....get both LEDs and HPS HIDs.... After a couple grows....let us know which lamps you'll be putting up for sale.... Personally....I'd go with the proven and tried method of lighting....not the still in development period method....But that's just me....

CGI::::::

Some of the newest LEDs are totally modular, and their University tests are pretty impressive as well. When you think about the fact that the average HPS last about 18 months max before replacement, burns 3x the wattage for near equal "PAR" value, produces a lot of waste heat, penetration is a good thing but not so absolutlely required in a SOG set up. Just put those 3W 60 degree LEDs right on top of em and watch em grow. Just my opinion, everybody's got one. Good Luck :)

If going purely for amount of yield I think I would go with HID's just because of there performance record, but even if LED's are relatively close I could make so much more because of all the saving costs.

Assuming the fans and power converters last that long (which is an assumption on my part, but it is only 50% of the lifetime they say it will have) I would still be making more money with LED's.

I'm sorry but after seeing these 2 sentences talking about making more money makes me think you are a commercial grower. That is not allowed on this site. If I am wrong then I appologize deeply but I really don't think I'm wrong. Have not seen any patient on here talk about making money.

Speaking from experience having grown with "all of the above"....LED's only in the grow area will produce the healthiest plants to prepare them for the flowering phase!

In flower it is best to use a combination of LED/HPS to produce the best tasting and more potent buds...you can grow decent bud with LED alone and HPS alone but the combination makes for a better end result :jointsmile:

As far as the cost of the LED's....buy good ones and buy them from a company that backs the product they make! :thumbsup:

Thank you for all of the feedback. In response to what you were asking tinytoon, no I am intending to become a commercial grower. I'm hoping to get multiple patients, and if I could harvest every 2 months that would be very helpful.

But I think I've found my answer. I found some top of the line LED's: NEW - Diamond Series LEDs - Extreme 3w LED Technology - Advanced LED Grow Lights

I read a few grow guides with people using them at it seems incredible. You can manually adjust the light spectrum, and if just on blue or just on red it only runs half the wattage. Planning to get 3 of the 800watts :3

Cheers :]