LED Without LEDs -My First T5 Grow

[novice11]

Thank you for the kind words. I know everyone has been waiting a long time for someone to come through. I'm actually surprised no one had come through and there is almost 500 pages of this thread. LOL

I have been running 2 of the UVL660nm and 2 of the TrueLumen 460nm in my 4-lamp fixtures and get really nice growth, but I wish there was another slot so I could put in another UVL660. A 5-lamp fixture would be ideal for me.

This is my recommendation. I know it will work very nicely.

3 UVL 660 and 3 Fiji Purple alternated. Put the 75/25 and a Redsun right in the middle. You won't be disappointed. The bit of Tri-band light adds a lot from the 75/25. You will like this combo.

UVL660/Fiji/UVL660/75-25/Redsun/Fiji/UVL660/Fiji/

There is already more than enough 420nm light in ALL of the lamps. There is even a peak of 420 in the redsun and the uvl660 believe it or not.

Keep your fixture about a foot above your canopy and let the plants grow up to it. I wouldn't let your plants get more than a few inches close to the lights or they will burn a little if they touch the lamps. Take photos and show us how it goes for you.

Thanks so much!

Bulbs are in - 3 of the 4 have germed and they are going into soil tomorrow.

Questions - If/When the Purples go - and they are getting due - what to rep them with?

Also - I know you don't bloom under T5, but just the same - what should I swap out come Bloom time? Please note - I don't have 3 660s, I have 4, so there is an extra right now...maybe swap out the 75.25 for the Coral Wave? Maybe swap out a FIJI for a Red Sun? Or a couple FIJI for a couple Red Suns? Or a Red Sun and the other 660?

Also - not sure what most folks do, but this will be a short veg, probably 4 weeks. I have to have it all broken down by mid December - guests over holidays. Will start back up in January.

 

[novice11]

Where's everybody at?

 

[kpmarine]

Thanks so much!

Bulbs are in - 3 of the 4 have germed and they are going into soil tomorrow.

Questions - If/When the Purples go - and they are getting due - what to rep them with?

Also - I know you don't bloom under T5, but just the same - what should I swap out come Bloom time? Please note - I don't have 3 660s, I have 4, so there is an extra right now...maybe swap out the 75.25 for the Coral Wave? Maybe swap out a FIJI for a Red Sun? Or a couple FIJI for a couple Red Suns? Or a Red Sun and the other 660?

Also - not sure what most folks do, but this will be a short veg, probably 4 weeks. I have to have it all broken down by mid December - guests over holidays. Will start back up in January.

I ran 3 fiji purps, 3 red suns, a 75/25, and two actinics (I don't recall which.). With that I got ~4 zips from my GDP. It got me, 2 roommates, a stoner friend from colorado, and a few other smokers rather high. It was pulled at about 7 weeks, due to an issue. That grow actually turned out good enough that a friend asked for some meds, which is not my usual thing.

 

[Stonefree69]

In room #1. 8 bulb fixture with 4 of the 6500K $2 bulbs, 2 Redsuns, 2 ATI Procolor.


In room #2. 8 bulb fixture with 4 of the ATI procolor, 2 Redsuns, 1 ATI blue plus, 1 UVL Super actinic. AND NO 6500K BULBS! YAY!


BOTH ROOMS ARE ON 24 HOUR LIGHT CYCLE. TEMP 75 F, RH 50%


Room #1 is growing like crazy compared to room #2. Height from canopy is the same. Same everything else. Gonna give it another 8 days as promised and report back (with photos for those of you that don't know how to use the search feature.) Room #2 is still having stunted growth issues after round 3 of this same trial. I'm seeing some new growth so I would say that it is safe to give it more time and see if there is a change. Compared to room #1, however, it has it beat like a rusty bent nail.
HYPOTHESIS:
This test will show that the addition of 6500K bulbs will have extremely better results than the addition of the blue plus and super actinic bulbs. It will also show that adding to full spectrum lighting aka(5500K to 6700K) the UVL Red Sun or ATI ProColor or Zoo Med Flora Sun, or Aqueon Flora Max, or Aquamedic Plant Grow, etc. is the best choice for super growth.

My currentbulb configuration is 4 Ati Procolor (which is still availablethrough Premium Aquatics), 2 REDSUN, and 2 Ati Blue Plus. So fareverything is looking fine. Hope this will be a good base for you tofind your own bulb configuration that works for you.

okthanks2, if the 6500Ks are producing the excellent and better results, then why are you not using them? The test results from your 1st post was on 1/6/2012 (post #2024) and on 1/9/2012 (3 days after the fact) you seem to be using the “inferior” bulbs from room #2 (post # 2164).

I'm still listening to what the professor has to say. I'm using 8-6500k GE Starcoat T5s and from this link - http://www.gelighting.com/eu/resources/literature_library/product_brochures/downloads/t5_brochure_en.pdf they seem to not be wasting much wattage and producing the right PAR. Confusion aside, I'll look into the Red Suns, Flora Suns, Plantmax 6500K and ATI bulbs (like Blue Plus, True Actinic).

BTW I grow mainly Indica dominant.

 

[acidking]

I've read several hundred pages of this thread, NOT THE FULL 479... one thing I'm not quite sure on, that I'm hoping someone can answer...

Are the UVL 660nm Bulbs T5, T5 HO, or T5 VHO? Every reference to them I've run across on this thread completely fails to mention the bulb type, and of course UVL doesn't list the 660nm on their web site. I'm assuming they are T5 HO bulbs, can anybody confirm?

Thanks in advance... Trying to find anything in this thread is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, and the back and forth between some of the contributors made reading those 200+ feel like this

 

[polyarcturus]

I've read several hundred pages of this thread, NOT THE FULL 479... one thing I'm not quite sure on, that I'm hoping someone can answer...

Are the UVL 660nm Bulbs T5, T5 HO, or T5 VHO? Every reference to them I've run across on this thread completely fails to mention the bulb type, and of course UVL doesn't list the 660nm on their web site. I'm assuming they are T5 HO bulbs, can anybody confirm?

Thanks in advance... Trying to find anything in this thread is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, and the back and forth between some of the contributors made reading those 200+ feel like this

they are all about T5 HO all though some are T5 VHO but you can run VHO on HO ballast (there is verry little difference between he bulbs HO is more efficient)

I'm sure this question has been asked before since this thread is so amazingly huge. What is the best all around bulb for both flowering and veg? If you had 2 bulbs to choose from which would you choose? Is there a bulb specifically made 50/50 red blue besides fiji cuz those are crazy expensive?

I'm a hella lazy person who likes to simplify things having a different bulb for each slot just doesn't fit my specific willingness to be arsed with that much effort. Currently have a 6 tube t5 running all 6500k's getting a new 6 or 4 tube fixture for side lighting in a 2x4x5 tent.

Any opinions on wave point brand? Been checking into the various dual band red/blue like Korallen Zucht fiji. Although Fiji are a bit more than I want to pay per bulb plus shipping. Wave point have a purple bulb with peaks in 440 and 700's so the red is off a bit for the favored 660nm.

Also trying to stay within the brands offered though amazon....

Edit: It's probably easier to find one super antinic and one red rather than one bulb with both spectrum (cheaper anyways). So any advise for two bulbs to use?

Edit2: Looks like Zoo Med FloraSun is well recommended for a dual spec bulb and as a flowering bulb in general. Correct? Since these bulbs are like $20 a pop + shipping unless buying in bulk my first run is going to have to be 3-4 florasun's (unless you guys say this is a bad bulb of course) with 2 6500k's. Plus whatever side lighting I can afford mid floweringish time. Not optimal but it'll still flower a few auto's.

Advise appreciated

6500k any brand will do fine and Zoomed florasun.

i personally think the 2 best bulbs are UVL aquasun and zoomed florasun and would be all you need but a lot of people would say that the 6500ks are better.

 

[acidking]

Has anybody tried WavePoint's Ultra Growth Wave? If so, where did you get them? I can only find one place online that claims to have them, Aquatic Connection, but their customer reviews are terrible... almost to the point of customers claiming outright fraud. Combine that with per bulb prices that are almost double Wavepoint's suggested retail price of $17, and you'd have to be a fool to trust them with your CC#.

I realize that some may criticize the spike in green, but it's such a small part of the overall spectrum that I hardly think it matters. That and some studies I've read claim that a bit of green can help the plant use the Red & Blue wavelengths more efficiently.

What do you guys think? Might it be a good single bulb solution from veg to flower?

 

[cannabineer]

Has anybody tried WavePoint's Ultra Growth Wave? If so, where did you get them? I can only find one place online that claims to have them, Aquatic Connection, but their customer reviews are terrible... almost to the point of customers claiming outright fraud. Combine that with per bulb prices that are almost double Wavepoint's suggested retail price of $17, and you'd have to be a fool to trust them with your CC#.

I realize that some may criticize the spike in green, but it's such a small part of the overall spectrum that I hardly think it matters. That and some studies I've read claim that a bit of green can help the plant use the Red & Blue wavelengths more efficiently.

What do you guys think? Might it be a good single bulb solution from veg to flower?

Probably not single bulb, since I'd seek to supplement more far red. But it's very close. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. cn

 

[polyarcturus]

Probably not single bulb, since I'd seek to supplement more far red. But it's very close. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. cn

look at the UVL 660(email them) but yeah that company is shady and im not sure if they are in production yet if you go to the website hell you can try and email them too. but honestly, like ive said before its nothing but an over exagerated chart, the flora sun produces the same spectrum all most andis much cheaper and a little more blue dom.

 

[polyarcturus]

it was discussed somewhere in this thread......

 

[falcon223]

I posted eye warnings way back there. I hope you guys are being carefully.

 

[Fonzarelli]

they are all about T5 HO all though some are T5 VHO but you can run VHO on HO ballast (there is verry little difference between he bulbs HO is more efficient)



6500k any brand will do fine and Zoomed florasun.

i personally think the 2 best bulbs are UVL aquasun and zoomed florasun and would be all you need but a lot of people would say that the 6500ks are better.

I've been having the best luck with coralife 6700K T5s for the full spectrum. They have a heavier dose of near red and they work really well. I don't know why they call them 6700k because they have more yellow/red tint than most 6500k lamps do. Either way they've worked the best for me in combination with 660nm UVL's and 460nm Trulumens.

 

[Fonzarelli]

Has anybody tried WavePoint's Ultra Growth Wave? If so, where did you get them? I can only find one place online that claims to have them, Aquatic Connection, but their customer reviews are terrible... almost to the point of customers claiming outright fraud. Combine that with per bulb prices that are almost double Wavepoint's suggested retail price of $17, and you'd have to be a fool to trust them with your CC#.

I realize that some may criticize the spike in green, but it's such a small part of the overall spectrum that I hardly think it matters. That and some studies I've read claim that a bit of green can help the plant use the Red & Blue wavelengths more efficiently.

What do you guys think? Might it be a good single bulb solution from veg to flower?

Don't buy from that company. All they do is drop ship, so if Wavepoint doesn't have them in, which they don't, then they can't get them. Call Wavepoint if you want the latest update. But, just go with the Florasuns. They are practically identical, at least half the price, and if you want more deep red add a UVL 660nm lamp.

 

[Fonzarelli]

BTW, ALL T5'S CONTAIN GREEN WAVELENGTHS. Can't get around it. Green is good anyway. Full spectrum is great to include in a red/blue setup.

 

[falcon223]

Wandering if any one, Yea you just have to wonder, what happened to the professor???? I say busted. I really hope not though.
The INTERNET is dangerous.

 

[Kite High]

Wandering if any one, Yea you just have to wonder, what happened to the professor???? I say busted. I really hope not though.
The INTERNET is dangerous.

NO JUST RIU AS IT IS A rats PROTECTING HAVEN

 

[falcon223]

Just saying be carefull. What is RIU???

 

[polyarcturus]

RIU=rollitup.

there are good folks on here there are bad ones best bet is always to mind your own business unless you think A) its safe to risk it(thats basically your judgement of a person) or B) you really dont care IE your legal. or you just dont care lol

 

[PSUAGRO.]

RIU=rollitup.

there are good folks on here there are bad ones best bet is always to mind your own business unless you think A) its safe to risk it(thats basically your judgement of a person) or B) you really dont care IE your legal. or you just dont care lol

Exactly.........If your running large scale OPs and are NOT legal.....I would really think twice about posting pics of it anywhere on the internet(common sense).....they don't care if your running a four plant grow in your bedroom closet/lol...(except in japan/china/middle east.... wow at those laws)scary shit...

 

[PetFlora]

look at the UVL 660(email them) but yeah that company is shady and im not sure if they are in production yet if you go to the website hell you can try and email them too. but honestly, like ive said before its nothing but an over exagerated chart, the flora sun produces the same spectrum all most andis much cheaper and a little more blue dom.

UVL shady? How did you come this impression? The idea of 660 was promoted by Prof, who started this thread. UVL happened to be in production of a 660, but not for mmj. probably for algae though I am not certain of that specifically. I happened to contact them after Prof mentioned he was developing his own 660. (It never materialized) and he disappeared.

I got one from UVL, but did not help my plants. To the contrary, just 1/8 prolonged the finish (I finally just pulled the plants). If you are going to use it at all, it should be used in combination with FAR Red ala, Coral Wave, but that's a mixed bag, better left out of the equation IMHO.

I stumbled upon Profs thread early in my second grow using an 8 bulb Bad Boy + Quantum V & Flower bulbs, and ran with it. I learned a lot for sure, but I overreacted and got a wide variety of bulbs in search of the magic bullet.

Taking a page from recent developments in led (WHITE diodes), which provide a broad natural light spectrum (including the mid-band ~550-610, ignored by most led manufacturers), white is the most efficient for growing mmj. I argued for this from < midway in this thread. One of the subbers was getting excellent results using UVL Aquasuns (broad spectrum bulb), and I had 2, so I combined them during both V + B, but later added Red Lifes and finally the 660

So, do you need the wide variety of aquarium bulbs to grow excellent mmj? NO! A combination of ZooMed Florasuns + UVL Aquasuns should be plenty good. Keep in mind, if you are growing Indicas they like 'more Blue' than Red, and vice versa. F1 Hybrids (like my cross) are a different story as there is no telling which will dominate until the plants are ~ 6 weeks old. If you know what your plants express than you can tailor the basic mix from the start with a bit more B or R but not by much ~ 10-20% max.

I have a new thread over on IC. I have 2 tents; one is my DIY Bubbler, which I used to start 8 of my F1 Sat/Indica cross seedlings. I moved the strongest 2 to my proven DIY 21st Century F & D system, under 2 HO T5s. A few days later I put the next 4 hardiest seedlings in my hpa, also under the T5.

The 2 remaining Runts of the 8 I kept in my DIY Bubbler (4 large cylinder oxystones pumping mass quantities of oxygenated bubbles via a 900L/hr pump). At first I was using 4 @ 13 & 23w cfls (daylight and warm white).

I am also a led enthusiast, although I got burned paying $360 for 90w ufo, which is probably only ~ 50w ~ 9:1 R/B. I believe the R is a mix of several different nms, so I added it to the cfls. but ^ 12" above to start, then slowly lowered.

I bought the Quantum Bad By because 1 I was unsure led had come of age and 2 the high price of leds 2 years ago to cover a 2 X 4 footprint. Anyway, I added the ufo 90 to the cfls in the Runt Room/tent. The 2 Runts had an immediate growth spurt, but the plants under the BB not so much.

At the same time I subbed to a recent RIU thread Astir Grow LED Panel Project which is all about low watt WHITE leds; mixing cw + nw + ww https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/563118-astir-grow-led-panel-project.html

I mixed in an 8 watt ww screw bulb led which provided a lot of mid-band nms missing from the ufo. The Runts loved it. THEN I bought a Utilitech 7.5w led, Day Light, with globe (total ~ 60w) and the Runts are runts no more. They are just as tall as the 2 hardiest plants under 324w, but have much bigger primary leaves AND secondary leaves. Is the difference LED? NO. It's spectral balance based on genetics.

KISS DIY LED coming soon: Where most guys are buying diodes, heat sinks, drivers... I'm going with low watt screw bulbs where all this has been done for me. I bought a bunch of parts from Lowes to make a ~ 3' fixture with 3-4 sockets + Y adapters (to double the light) and ordered 6 low watt leds from www.chinabuye.com I expect this to cover my 2 X 4 tent quite nicely. Stay tuned

If you click on Astir link you will see my latest pics posted today as well as get up to speed on how to mix light spectrums for max benefot and mnimm hassle