HPS vs LED Question

[itsaflower]

Hullo all,

So my current setup is a 400w HPS with reflector and ballast. It works pretty well for 2-3 plants and that works with me. However, I live in a desert and the sunnuvabitch gets hot as fuck and it's pretty damn noisy. Now I've heard the hype about LEDs and the Future of Growing, but how much of it is true? Are LEDs efficient? Do they produce the same growth and flowering as traditional lighting systems? If so, does anyone have any links to some reputable DIY LED grow light setups? Also, I'm on a budget and I'd like to see some setups that were done for ~$200 or less, if that's possible.

Thanks

 

[jcdws602]

200 bucks or less for a led system that will outperform a 400 watt hid is not going to happen....I live in the desert as well......I have an a/c and I air cool my lights + I only run my lights at night,that way it is easier to control temps and it's cheaper on the light bill, peak rate hours are during the day ....I run 2000 watts in my flowering room.......a 400 doesn't need much to keep cool if you have good ventilation and cooling equipment

 

[itsaflower]

That's what I figured. Thanks for the tip about only running them at night. I guess I just gotta bang out a few more holes for ventilation in the grow room.

 

[jasonbrunette]

my friend told me CFLs are better. they're energy efficient, dont get as hot, and have better spectrum.

 

[jcdws602]

That's what I figured. Thanks for the tip about only running them at night. I guess I just gotta bang out a few more holes for ventilation in the grow room.

No prob,Good luck......& Good Growing

 

[puffenuff]

My thoughts on this subject are that LEDs are far and away more efficient than hps/mh lights and can produce buds in equal weight and density but also surpass in quality and trich production. However, you need to have a quality setup starting with the lights. You just need to understand the correct amount of wattage you need to cover your grow area sufficiently. If you can afford to pay for a top dollar setup, then you can easily match or surpass hid grows. But what do I know? I just grow with christmas lights.

 

[itsaflower]

my friend told me CFLs are better. they're energy efficient, dont get as hot, and have better spectrum.

Can anyone expand on CFLs?

And this:

I just grow with christmas lights.

Any validity to these statements?

 

[jcdws602]

Cfl perform decent.......t5, t8 fluorescent perform decent as well without as much heat when compared to hid......a 4-8 bulb t5 fixture can grow some nice colas and cost 200-350 dollars......I prefer to use t5 rather than led mainly because of cost...led has better spectrum but not enough penetration power and cost are ridiculous......(at least the good ones are) and I don't know anything abut growing with christmas lights lol

 

[puffenuff]

The christmas lights comment was a joke...i grow with high output leds

 

[El Superbeasto]

You wont find any LEDs for less than $200 that will outperform a 400 watt HPS. The best LED for under $300 is the Blackstar 240, and it only uses 135 watts, you will need 3 of those to replace the 400 watt.

Spectra LEDs are the most proven, I own a small one and it is my best yielder out of all my lights per electricity used(300 watt HTG LED, Blackstar 240, 90 watt Spectra, 400 watt HPS), the 400 watt HPS yields the best, but it is also my biggest light. 2 of the 180 watt Spectras will replace one 400 watt Spectra, but you're looking at $1100.

As much as I like using LEDs, with your budget, I'd go to walmart.com, and get an a/c, some have $0.97 shipping.

Here's a link for a few for less than $200:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14321336&findingMethod=rr
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14254284&findingMethod=rr
http://www.walmart.com/ip/6-000-BTU-Frigidaire-Energy-Star-Window-Air-Conditioner-with-Remote/14304459

Hullo all,

So my current setup is a 400w HPS with reflector and ballast. It works pretty well for 2-3 plants and that works with me. However, I live in a desert and the sunnuvabitch gets hot as fuck and it's pretty damn noisy. Now I've heard the hype about LEDs and the Future of Growing, but how much of it is true? Are LEDs efficient? Do they produce the same growth and flowering as traditional lighting systems? If so, does anyone have any links to some reputable DIY LED grow light setups? Also, I'm on a budget and I'd like to see some setups that were done for ~$200 or less, if that's possible.

Thanks

 

[itsaflower]

You wont find any LEDs for less than $200 that will outperform a 400 watt HPS. The best LED for under $300 is the Blackstar 240, and it only uses 135 watts, you will need 3 of those to replace the 400 watt.

Spectra LEDs are the most proven, I own a small one and it is my best yielder out of all my lights per electricity used(300 watt HTG LED, Blackstar 240, 90 watt Spectra, 400 watt HPS), the 400 watt HPS yields the best, but it is also my biggest light. 2 of the 180 watt Spectras will replace one 400 watt Spectra, but you're looking at $1100.

As much as I like using LEDs, with your budget, I'd go to walmart.com, and get an a/c, some have $0.97 shipping.

Here's a link for a few for less than $200:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14321336&findingMethod=rr
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14254284&findingMethod=rr
http://www.walmart.com/ip/6-000-BTU-Frigidaire-Energy-Star-Window-Air-Conditioner-with-Remote/14304459

Right on. Thank you for the advice, superbeast.

Cfl perform decent.......t5, t8 fluorescent perform decent as well without as much heat when compared to hid......a 4-8 bulb t5 fixture can grow some nice colas and cost 200-350 dollars......I prefer to use t5 rather than led mainly because of cost...led has better spectrum but not enough penetration power and cost are ridiculous......(at least the good ones are) and I don't know anything abut growing with christmas lights lol

And thank you, jcdws. I've decided to stay with my 400w HPS, upgrade my ventilation, and add on some t5s for the cuttings, and I'm gonna throw in a 150w mercury vapor to aid the HPS. How's that sound for ~4 plants?

The christmas lights comment was a joke...i grow with high output leds​

I wish it were true that'd be tits.
​

 

[PuffPuffPassed]

You wont find any LEDs for less than $200 that will outperform a 400 watt HPS. The best LED for under $300 is the Blackstar 240, and it only uses 135 watts, you will need 3 of those to replace the 400 watt.

Not at all true! LED watts aren't equal to HPS watts. I used a 240w Blackstar to veg 9 plants along with 2 90w UFOs, and the UFOs aren't worth jack! I got rid of them.

If your looking to veg/clone I suggest the 240w High Output Blackstar, for flowering get the flowering model. I just ordered a 2nd 240w because I was so pleased with the veg.
Check my journal > https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/445112-420w-led-kush-hydroponic-closet.html

 

[El Superbeasto]

I have one of the Blackstar 240s. I also have a 400 watt HPS. And a couple other LEDs, one HTG and one GLH. Maybe other people are getting different results than I am....

I've compared what I get with each light I have per electricity used, and I stand by my statement.

My 400 watt HPS gives me the biggest yield because it is my biggest light, but per electricity used, the GLH gets the most. I have learned the true savings with using LEDs is in the heat management. My 495 (actual) watts of LED + my 416 (actual) watts of CFL all combined run cooler than the one 400 watt HPS.

Plus, the HPS ballast uses electricity too, which goes beyond the rating of the bulb. There is more savings there too.

If you're insinuating that a 90 watt LED replaces 400 watts of HPS, or even 250 watts of LED replaces 400 watts of HPS. You're in for a big disappointment. I was after I bought my first LED. Based on my setup and past results, 300 watts of good LED lighting, like from GLH, can almost replace 400 watts of HPS.

edit: Most people only pull 2oz from their Blackstar 240, so 3 essentially will get 6oz. I get well over 6oz from my 400 watt HPS.

Not at all true! LED watts aren't equal to HPS watts. I used a 240w Blackstar to veg 9 plants along with 2 90w UFOs, and the UFOs aren't worth jack! I got rid of them.

If your looking to veg/clone I suggest the 240w High Output Blackstar, for flowering get the flowering model. I just ordered a 2nd 240w because I was so pleased with the veg.
Check my journal > https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/445112-420w-led-kush-hydroponic-closet.html

 

[dannyboy602]

Yeah I'm gonna be picking your brain when I get my Blackstars running

 

[BCBOY1]

I just finished a grow with Fero LEDs. The end product was is killer I just finished drying.

The 357 is $399.00 incl tax and I think the 864 is around $700.00

http://www.ferodistributors.com/357-fero-led-grow-light/

 

[resinousflowers]

My thoughts on this subject are that LEDs are far and away more efficient than hps/mh lights and can produce buds in equal weight and density but also surpass in quality and trich production. However, you need to have a quality setup starting with the lights. You just need to understand the correct amount of wattage you need to cover your grow area sufficiently. If you can afford to pay for a top dollar setup, then you can easily match or surpass hid grows. But what do I know? I just grow with christmas lights.

you are wrong mate.if that was the case all the big growers would use led lights.they dont,even the ones who have tried them,because they are not as good as hid lights.it sounds like your opinion is based on what you read on some website trying to sell leds.

 

[PuffPuffPassed]

If you're insinuating that a 90 watt LED replaces 400 watts of HPS, or even 250 watts of LED replaces 400 watts of HPS. You're in for a big disappointment. I was after I bought my first LED. Based on my setup and past results, 300 watts of good LED lighting, like from GLH, can almost replace 400 watts of HPS.

edit: Most people only pull 2oz from their Blackstar 240, so 3 essentially will get 6oz. I get well over 6oz from my 400 watt HPS.

Nowhere am I insinuating a certain LED wattage is equivalent to anything, I am merely stating the watts do NOT equate evenly.

If you want to compare wattage draw, then you would have to go off of the 150-160w of actual draw on the 240w unit, meaning 300w would be 2 of the 240w units. If you run this up against an HID then that would be your true test, and I feel they would probably be about equivalent, minus all of the ventilation and cooling you need for the HID light.

You have to consider for your electricity purposes, on top of the 415w draw of HID vs the 300-320w of equivalent LED draw (not to mention LED spectrum are tailored to be used more efficiently than HID, which puts off a lot of unused spectrum translating into heat), but also the fans and ventelation cost and power consumption. LEDs are as easy as hang it, and in a space like my closet with NO VENT, try pulling off a grow with any other source.

I will make sure to post the yield of the 9 plants which are currently under a 500w Blackstar (actual draw 305w) to see how it compares to your 6 oz.. or you can sub up > https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/445112-420w-led-kush-hydroponic-closet.html

 

[somedude247]

For the cost of two Blackstars, you can get an Advanced Diamond Series 200w and it will outgrow a 600 hps! Im using the extreme flower 180w and it easily outgrows any 400 hid and compares with my 600 hps and its a TRUE 180 WATTS!!! Not no half-asser running at half of its claim. And they have infrared and UV bulbs!!! The best spectrum on the market. Im sorry, but Blackstar isnt in the same league as Advanced. It would take at least 2 240's or more to compare to my 180w. But if you dont believe me, go ahead and buy an inferior product.

 

[mr2shim]

A lot of miss information in this thread. I am a bit shocked. If LED's were more efficient you would see big grows using them, you don't. LED's can grow bud, but do not listen to people going on about "oh yea, my 180w can outperform any 400w" Yea sure that's what was written on the LED product description doesn't mean it's true. Find me one, ONE 180w LED grow that yields more than a 400w hps, assuming both are grown in proper conditions.

You can get equal or close to equal if you spend big bucks on LED lights, but the price vs how much it cost to set up a HID system isn't the same. You'll end up spending a LOT more on a proper LED system to get equal results. There is a thread on this forum that proves everything I'm saying..

 

[somedude247]

A lot of miss information in this thread. I am a bit shocked. If LED's were more efficient you would see big grows using them, you don't. LED's can grow bud, but do not listen to people going on about "oh yea, my 180w can outperform any 400w" Yea sure that's what was written on the LED product description doesn't mean it's true. Find me one, ONE 180w LED grow that yields more than a 400w hps, assuming both are grown in proper conditions.

You can get equal or close to equal if you spend big bucks on LED lights, but the price vs how much it cost to set up a HID system isn't the same. You'll end up spending a LOT more on a proper LED system to get equal results. There is a thread on this forum that proves everything I'm saying..

No where does my light say it outperforms anything. This is seen with my own 2 eyes! Im sorry youre a LED hater, but many people are having HUGE grows with LED! I can tell now that my harvest will be far superior to any 400w harvest Ive ever had. Follow my grow journal and in a few weeks Ill show you what it can really do! And your thread that proves everything you just said is full of misinformation by alot of skeptical people that havent ever even used a REAL LED like Advanced. Sure, any of that crap you get on ebay sucks, but until you actually see or use an Advanced Extreme Flower or their new Diamond series, you havent seen a real LED grow anything!