Id still love to see the SPD (or planned spd) for the new 660. Just to see how wide the spike is. RedSuns cover something like 622-640 or so, Itd be nice to have a really wide peak for the 660s. A peak from 625-670 would be Tits AND Ass. That bulb would replace RedSuns all together IMO.
Hey guys, been trolling this forum for a while and I thought it was time to say hi
I definitely agree with this statement, but the spectral graph will be the determining factor for sure.
I first purchased my T5 set up at the beginning of February, and it literally took just under 2 months for the back-ordered Red Suns to get here. I also had a couple of defective lamps and then a set of broken lamps through Aquarium Specialty, but their customer service is top-notch. Kelly, Scott, and Kristen are all excellent people to work with on their team. I will be doing business with them again in the future.
My lighting setup is an 8 bulb grosite fixture with lamps targeted for the flowering spectrum. My current set up goes like this: UVL454/KZFijiPurple/RedSun/FijiPurple/RedSun/KZFijiPurple/KZFijiPurple/ATICoralPlus. I know I need more red, and I have been working with Jeff at UVL. Since I had to wait so long for the Red Suns, he is sending me one of the 660nm engineering samples that he just got in to see how the results go. I spoke with him today, he says that he is supposed to have the spectral graph data live on their website by the end of the week. He will be shipping 2 super actinics with that 660. I want to switch out the Coral Plus for a Super Actinic. Once I receive my shipment of lamps, my setup will be like this: SuperActinic/FijiPurple/660/FijiPurple/RedSun/FijiPurple/454/RedSun
I believe this is the absolute best PAR lighting setup available on the market. (or if the 660 spectral graph boasts better results than the already rare RedSun lamps, swap them out) However, I have a feeling there may be enough of an imbalance between the wavelength output between the RedSuns and the 660's which will cause the need for both. Looking at the blue side of the spectrum, it takes three different lamps to effectively target the 420-460nm range in force. The 454, SuperActinic, and the Fiji are a rock solid combination for the blue and the small amount of green that is needed. The RedSun has a REALLY strong 620-630 spike, and tiny spikes which barely compliments the rest of the spectrum. I am REALLY excited to see the 660 data and to put it to the test. I will be sure to share the first-hand results with the community here as well.
I learned a lot of things from this place while I was trolling on the internet for useful information on my first grow. This single topic really saved my hide when making a decision as to whether or not I wanted to continue growing after my first run. The results were varied for multiple reasons but the biggest issue was heat output from HPS lighting. My temps went from 85F-88F to 72F-78F depending on the day after having a full fixture of T5 lamps running for several hours. Problem solved. My next biggest issue was grow space itself. I was getting tired of having to constantly adjust my grow space and equipment and setting it up took several hours to 2 or 3 days depending on the project. After doing research, I bought a 4'x8' mylar lined growtent with military grade zippers, multiple ported slots for venting (I dont really use the vent slots though, I utilize CO2) which can also remain lightproof if properly sealed. The hollowed steel bars for structural support can hold up to 120lbs on the top crossbars to hold lighting. Cost: $190 shipped. Effort: 2 hours of labor with a couple of buddies and a 30 rack of PBR. The 4x8 space is perfect for 12 plants, and can fit 2 of these lighting fixtures to accommodate 6 plants on either side of the tent. Simply put, I LOVE this tent. I will be buying more in the future for sure. Since I am my own caregiver in Michigan, I am only entitled 12 plants (including clones and seedlings) unless I have registered patients. I am staying within State law. I don't really want to go to jail. I've never been arrested and dont want to be, let alone have some assholes smash my equipment and destroy my hard work.
I am finishing up my second grow attempt. The *assumed* genetics I have are Blueberry yum yum, Big Bud, Himalayan Gold, and I found a single seed in a REALLY tasty AK Variant bud that I got from another person. According to him, he had 8oz of it and didnt find a single seed. I popped it into some dirt on 09/11/2011 and it sprouted. Some time later, it was a presexing female. It grew quite symmetrically, but due to faulty equipment and poor conditions the end result was less than anything considerable. I successfully took some clones before inducing flowering and I am giving them a second chance. If I can get the end result to be anywhere near as good as the bud it came from, I will be really pleased. I will be eliminating the rest of the genes and purchasing feminized seeds from attitude seed bank in the near future. I want them on hand when I begin harvesting in about 2 or 3 months.
With targeting every single aspect that a plant can benefit from with the enhancement of science and growing methods along with a cautious and competent caretaker, the yield and the quality should be superior if not elite compared to commercial methods and greenhouses. PAR lighting, LST, CO2 enrichment, nutrient feeding, and environment control is the way to go.
I only recently came up with an efficient and effective system for myself to log data on plants, and will be implementing this system on my next grow which will be after I move in or around July. I am not using the system now since Im already so far into the grow. Once I get things going again, Ill be keeping a detailed and organized journal.
My first grow produced about 7.5oz dry out of 12 plants. This grow I want to see atleast 12 oz, considering I am experimenting with LST on only 2 of my 12 plants. My next grow, I want to be able to expand with enough equipment to have a patient under my wing with equipment and material to support it. Thats a $3,000 investment though after doing all of the math, heh. If I am running 12 plants next run, I want to see atleast 25 ounces by effectively utilizing LST. If I have that patient, I want to see atleast 50.
Ill be following and trolling this thread as always