LED Without LEDs -My First T5 Grow

[PetFlora]

This was 4 AFs from my first attempt using Quantums bulbs. Not too shabby, but I am mos def on board to experiment with aquarium bulbs. Popping some bag seeds right now.

Note they were all from the same strain, but the little fatty in the middle was clearly a cut above. Alas, all 4 became males due to an unexpected 95^+ heat wave. right as I flipped to 12/12 (this strain refused to flower under 18/6).

Note the venting stack. It took me 5 days to figure this simple solution out to reduce the temps inside my pod. Reflectex didn't touch it, but this vent knocked temps down to low 80s from mid 90s.

 

[PetFlora]

Again, have these people done side-by-side grows to see the differences? Roots need room to grow properly. When crammed into containers that are too small, they compete against each other for what little nutrients you are able to deliver before your container is soaking. hth

 

[Grimbsy]

Again, have these people done side-by-side grows to see the differences? Roots need room to grow properly. When crammed into containers that are too small, they compete against each other for what little nutrients you are able to deliver before your container is soaking. hth

I could use the 2gal smartpots instead, they're only 8" diameter and 7" tall, would be kinda tight but I'd still be able to fit 9 per shelf.

I figure I should use a UVL red sun, and a UVL super actinic per shelf, it should do better than a 2700k/6500k combo.

 

[pr0fesseur]

air pots do a great job of air pruning... i have to say i have 2 gal pots and youve seen what grows in them...
my pots were 4$ each......for the two gal and 2$ for the seedling starters! never had a problem.... just use lots of water!

 

[ChronicClouds]

Awesome Work! I found a 36"in bulb that will replace your 660nm, but the largest bulb is 36" http://www.hellolights.com/39w-procolor-t5hofluorescent-ati.aspx. I also had one question, will the bulbs you have discussed work for my 48" 6 t5 sun leaves/blazing sun fixture?? UVL Red sun 630nm; UVL 454nm; UVL Super Actinic @ 420nm; KorallenZucht Fuji Purple 630 & 440nm

 

[pr0fesseur]

Awesome Work! I found a 36"in bulb that will replace your 660nm, but the largest bulb is 36" http://www.hellolights.com/39w-procolor-t5hofluorescent-ati.aspx. I also had one question, will the bulbs you have discussed work for my 48" 6 t5 sun leaves/blazing sun fixture?? UVL Red sun 630nm; UVL 454nm; UVL Super Actinic @ 420nm; KorallenZucht Fuji Purple 630 & 440nm

the pro colors are nice but they are discontinued i USED to use those.... i replaced them with the red suns becasue i could readily find them! look at my signature!

 

[ChronicClouds]

the pro colors are nice but they are discontinued i USED to use those.... i replaced them with the red suns becasue i could readily find them! look at my signature!

Well check the link http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquaticlife-10000k-700nm-t5ho-39w-36in.html . Its 700+nm but only comes in 36" or 24". They only stopped making 660nm 48".

or

http://www.hellolights.com/39w-procolor-t5hofluorescent-ati.aspx 650nm-720nm

I run HPS for flower but am very interested in running your lights for veg. I have a friend who is a pro grower for a club. He says that the red spectrum in veg helps keep your plant from stretching, keeping internodes tight. IDK if this is correct. I had thought the blue light in veg keeps the plant from stretching and vice versa for flower. What do you think pr0f?

 

[THISguyy]

very nice, been thinking about investing in the same light

 

[pr0fesseur]

Amazing work pr0f, I applaud your efforts in finding a viable alternative to HPS, and making it as efficient as possible. I've been thinking about getting into this and making it as space and energy efficient as possible, I'm thinking about a setup similar to isthis2012.

I'm going to have a 4 tier shelf, 32" apart, shelves are going to be 24"^2, going to be using pots 6" tall 7" diameter, and the lights should be about 2", leaving me with 24". I'm going to be growing an autoflower with a max height of 24", with 3 rows of 3 on each shelf. I've been looking into getting 1 or 2 sunblaze 24" 24w T5 strip lights per shelf as I'm trying to keep the total power consumption under 200w, I'm well aware I'm not going to yield very much, but this is more of an experiment, even if I get 5g dry per plant I'll be happy. The shelves are going to be fully enclosed and covered in mylar, and I'm going to have relectors on the t5s bent to get more light to the outer rows to maximize efficiency.

Now for the question, I read the optimal color temp for autoflowers is 6500k, but I was wondering if you could recommend something better. I'd go with everything you've already suggested, but I'm trying to keep it down to 2 24" t5's max per shelf.

Oh yeah, and where is a cheap place to get 24" t5 fixtures? The cheapest on ebay is 30$ shipped, for that price I might as well buy the sunblazes, pay 6$ less and get a free bulb.

Thanks in advance.

Fuji purple and blue+ or 75.25 two bulb is perfect

 

[hyroot]

prof. with those air pots, since they air trim the roots do they never get root bound? 2 gal seems awfully small for what you pulled.

 

[pr0fesseur]

No root bound plants the roots never actually start choking themselves... you can grow real TREES in these pots

[video=youtube;nceTm3r1mZc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nceTm3r1mZc[/video]

 

[pr0fesseur]

Well check the link http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquaticlife-10000k-700nm-t5ho-39w-36in.html . Its 700+nm but only comes in 36" or 24". They only stopped making 660nm 48".

or

http://www.hellolights.com/39w-procolor-t5hofluorescent-ati.aspx 650nm-720nm

I run HPS for flower but am very interested in running your lights for veg. I have a friend who is a pro grower for a club. He says that the red spectrum in veg helps keep your plant from stretching, keeping internodes tight. IDK if this is correct. I had thought the blue light in veg keeps the plant from stretching and vice versa for flower. What do you think pr0f?

Blue light keeps plants nice and short from the research papers ive read... red lights are used to start the life cycle process from veg to bloom... they "trigger" flowering.
see my last posts about wavelength lifecycle a few posts back

 

[RawBudzski]

Thoes/Some trees were planted in the ground in thoes pots then uprooted in the pots for transportation.. their doing it about 5 miles from my house.. but the TREES are in the GROUND their entire life until moved.

No root bound plants the roots never actually start choking themselves... you can grow real TREES in these pots

@ least out here they are.

 

[pr0fesseur]

Thoes/Some trees were planted in the ground in thoes pots then uprooted in the pots for transportation.. their doing it about 5 miles from my house.. but the TREES are in the GROUND their entire life until moved.


@ least out here they are.

well i must beg to differ in FL the trees live their entire lives in air pots!! and as seen here all these TREES live their lives in air pots...

 

[pr0fesseur]

Originally Posted by Noromaru
Would it help if I put red plastic over the lights?????

WHAT???? look @ that question...
read it 6 or seven times...
then use google
then yahoo then lycos then bing
then dont ask stupid questions

 

[MurshDawg]

If V-HO bulbs are just over driven HO bulbs then why do they sell different ballasts for V-HO? As far as the efficacy of V-HO the verdict is still out on that being that they are relatively new. Oh and Mr.PetFlora the knowledge you possess on this topic is only over shadowed by your prickish nature in handling questions from people. Not everyone can be as cool as you. I hope you remember that the next time you feel like being an ass.

 

[PetFlora]

Maybe not, but most people can and do read. Your questions were previously answered in this very thread.

 

[MurshDawg]

and most people haven't spent the past two years building up a "rep" just to act like a douche to someone new to the site. Way to help the cause bro. Next time I need to post I guess I should wade through 36 pages of forum posts just to make sure I don't sound dumb and get verbally assailed by PetFlora.

 

[novice11]

You guys need to mellow out and take it in a bit. Smoke a J or something...

 

[MurshDawg]

good idea, novice11!