LEDs or traditional lighting?

[bcguy01]

I am looking to start my first grow and am wondering what would be better to go with. I am looking to be discrete and will be growing in a room that is 12x20. I have looked at multiple light systems and am leaning towards the LEDs. What are the better LEDs on the market and the cheapest place to buy them. All help would be appreciated.:jointsmile:

bcguy01 Reviewed by bcguy01 on 11-04-2010. LEDs or traditional lighting? I am looking to start my first grow and am wondering what would be better to go with. I am looking to be discrete and will be growing in a room that is 12x20. I have looked at multiple light systems and am leaning towards the LEDs. What are the better LEDs on the market and the cheapest place to buy them. All help would be appreciated.:jointsmile: Rating: 5

[golfnut69]

I am new at the indoor growing but I have used the HPS and the heat was my concern. Nowadays also the electric costs are an issue. This time I did but LED and I am very happy it. I have a 120w for a 2'x4'x6' grow tent.

Almost not big enough now that they are flowering. They went from seedlings to 3 1/2' tall bushs in 8 weeks. I must say I was amazed.

They are expensive and the only advice I can give you is make sure the bulb's and the unit are TRUELY made in the USA. All of the china made one are true crap. My 120w was $525.00 which they say was good for a 3' x 3' room.

[Rusty Trichome]

If 12 x 20 feet, I'd go with HID lighting.
If 12 x 20 inches, I'd perhaps go with the LED's.

Although a few gardeners are having some successes with LED's, I much prefer HID lighting. Especially if new to growing. HID's are easy, proven and reliable. Each type of light comes with benefits and consequences.

Whichever way you go...get the best you can afford. E-Bay crap is often...crap. If you have any questions...ask here before hitting the "purchase" button. It might just save you a bundle on an ill-advised purchase.

[stra8outtaWeed]

LED in veg rocks all lighting.....a combo of HPS and LED in flower will get the best yield and quality....i've grown with about every combonation from T5/HPS...HPS alone...LED alone....and the HPS/LED will be your best bet....i use 150w LED's on either side of a 600wHPS for 900w total over a 3x3 tray and have been yielding 560-610gr dry....with HPS 600w alone the yield was 330-350 and w/1000w HPS i yielded 400-445gr....w/450w LED i yielded 330-360....those are hard numbers w/same strains and nutes...you can check out my LED runs in the link in my sig :jointsmile:

[means2010]

3by 3 tray,how many plants was that,how tall did they grow

[stra8outtaWeed]

3by 3 tray,how many plants was that,how tall did they grow

16 plants ~2gal sguares~coco fiber medium...about 24-36 tall :smokin:

[stra8outtaWeed]

I am new at the indoor growing but I have used the HPS and the heat was my concern. Nowadays also the electric costs are an issue. This time I did but LED and I am very happy it. I have a 120w for a 2'x4'x6' grow tent.

Almost not big enough now that they are flowering. They went from seedlings to 3 1/2' tall bushs in 8 weeks. I must say I was amazed.

They are expensive and the only advice I can give you is make sure the bulb's and the unit are TRUELY made in the USA. All of the china made one are true crap. My 120w was $525.00 which they say was good for a 3' x 3' room.

i got the best LED's and they are made in China....when you buy price you get crap...mine are 150w w/3w diodes...$450 beat that! :jointsmile:

[means2010]

Did u go hydro? U can get 300 watt leds now with different cycles for different stages of growth,what do u think of the 300 watt leds,they r suppossed to be as powerful as a 1000 watt hid light

[khyberkitsune]

Did u go hydro? U can get 300 watt leds now with different cycles for different stages of growth,what do u think of the 300 watt leds,they r suppossed to be as powerful as a 1000 watt hid light

Different cycles for different stages of growth?

That's a gimmick. The sun doesn't change in output, and the difference in spectral balance only shifts 1-2% in either direction when you get closer to the winter season. This is why the majority of LED panels suck, all gimmick, no actual scientific research.

300w would be about right for veg, you'd need a minimum of 5-600w tuned LED to match a 100w HPS in yield, and tuning LEDs to beam like an HPS is rather difficult.

[means2010]

So what ur saying is that a 5-600 watt led is equal to only a 100 watt hps hid light??? doesn't sound right to me from what i'm hearing about led lights