Which to choose from....

[hbbum]

Been seeing that Area 51 light a lot recently with some great results, check out this one, a great grow to read through using that exact light.

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/654674-im-ready-blue-og-white.html

 

[bertaluchi]

I have a 400watt hps in a 3'x3'x5' tent. It does get hot but I still manage to get some sweet dank out of it. I live in the south so in summer its too hot to run, but as soon as summer ends its game on.

 

[A1istor]

I want the area 51 led light, i can only afford one but i plan on growing two plants.... sadly it only covers one...

 

[tekdc911]

This is the first time I've heard of anyone using a Variac. Is it really needed.

thats why i advised a 2 speed fan
the dial "router controller" speed controls
have a square wavelength that will burn a capacitor motor out very quickly causing a fire hazard and possible shock hazard only a variac type controller or actual step down transformer will give you the proper rolling wavelength needed

 

[tekdc911]

I have a 400watt hps in a 3'x3'x5' tent. It does get hot but I still manage to get some sweet dank out of it. I live in the south so in summer its too hot to run, but as soon as summer ends its game on.

mine does fine in a 2.8'x3.8'x5' box im on the same latitude as you
you running a cooltube ?

 

[hbbum]

This is the Variac I use, $60 and worth every dime.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Variable-AC-Transformer-500VA-variac-0-130v-/161076913385

I use it with the Tjernlund 6" fan, quiet and very flexible.

 

[hbbum]

I want the area 51 led light, i can only afford one but i plan on growing two plants.... sadly it only covers one...

The Area 51 160 is good for 2x4, you can get more than 2 in that footprint unless you are vegging for 6-8 weeks.

 

[A1istor]

The Area 51 160 is good for 2x4, you can get more than 2 in that footprint unless you are vegging for 6-8 weeks.

Ill be going 4x4... you think thats to big. I''l most likely stay within the 2-4 plant range.

 

[hbbum]

Would probably need 2 for full coverage, or 1 with some side lighting. Or one with some extra room, the number of plants doesn't mean much since different styles cover different amounts of area. A 600W will also cover a 4x4 fine, almost 3X power plus additional power for cooling but would do better than 1 x 160W LED. Depends on what fits your needs, and the LED are not cheap, I figure it would take me 2.5-3 grows to recoup the cost difference in energy costs.

 

[A1istor]

I was thinking if not the area 51 I would go with 2 hans led.

 

[ArCaned]

LED are so expensive, just use a HPS and enjoy the buds.

 

[hbbum]

LED are so expensive, just use a HPS and enjoy the buds.

Well the SGS-160 is on sale for about $550 w/ shipping now. It has the same footprint of a 400W HID

A decent quality HID w/ bulbs is about $200 w/ shipping. So the cost differential is $350

The Electricity saving from AC and the lighting is about $50-$75/mo, you could recoup your additional investment in 7 months, not including bulb replacements for the HID which happens every year @ about $100 for both (or more).

If, and this is a BIG if, the yield is the same quality and quantity. This is not a bad ROI.

 

[A1istor]

Well the SGS-160 is on sale for about $550 w/ shipping now. It has the same footprint of a 400W HID

A decent quality HID w/ bulbs is about $200 w/ shipping. So the cost differential is $350

The Electricity saving from AC and the lighting is about $50-$75/mo, you could recoup your additional investment in 7 months, not including bulb replacements for the HID which happens every year @ about $100 for both (or more).

If, and this is a BIG if, the yield is the same quality and quantity. This is not a bad ROI.

This is the key reason why I'm aiming for led. The coolness of temps, and cheaper on the bill. I am willing to pay up front to save in the long run. I just want to make sure my light/s I purchase covers 2 plants minimum.

 

[hbbum]

Its a bit of a read, but check out Prosperians thread. He had 5-6 going under that light. 4 would probably be much easier to maintain in his space. He uses that exact light with fluorescence bulbs for under/side lighting.

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/654674-im-ready-blue-og-white.html