Led Users Unite!

DB&ST

Well-Known Member
it's going to cost me something like 200$ (with delivery, without taxes...)
and i can get right here in my country a 250 HPS System (Reflector, Ballast, Socket and a Bulb) for 150$.

what do you think is going to pay off more?
 

Serapis

Well-Known Member
it's going to cost me something like 200$ (with delivery, without taxes...)
and i can get right here in my country a 250 HPS System (Reflector, Ballast, Socket and a Bulb) for 150$.

what do you think is going to pay off more?
I'm going to tell you to go with the 250 w HPS only because it is readily available in Israel, and because it leaves you $150 to spend on some seeds, nutrients, etc. Once you have some experience with grows and are looking to experiment, maybe then try an LED grow. I'd just hate to see you go LED for the first grow. I did and expectations are harder to meet under a single 90w UFO. Get the 250 for now.

Just my personal opinion from my own experience.
 

okcomputer

Active Member
it's going to cost me something like 200$ (with delivery, without taxes...)
and i can get right here in my country a 250 HPS System (Reflector, Ballast, Socket and a Bulb) for 150$.

what do you think is going to pay off more?
How many plants are you planning on having? The question is not what is going to pay off more, it's what fits your needs the best. Keep in mind that a 250W hps or a 90W UFO both can't support large numbers of plants by themselves. If heat is an issue, than the UFO might be your answer. I would suggest saving a little longer and getting one of those blackstar LED panels or something similar. They're not too much more than UFO's and you'll probably be happier with it in the long run
 

BigBassTurd

Member
I ran a Procyon 100 in a secret jardine dr60 and was not satisfied with the results at all. Did good through veg, but once it started flowering it just lagged. Decided to run a 250w mh(veg)/hps(bloom) and kept the procyon for supplemental lighting through out the whole grow in the tent and it worked much better. The LED does make for awesome pictures though, makes the white pistils look like they are glowing.

avatar.jpg
 

Serapis

Well-Known Member
The 250 watt will support a larger area. Heat shouldn't be an issue, just open a closet door once in awhile or leave it ajar. Why should he wait and save up longer when he has enough to start growing today with an hps light? Let him learn the ropes and then he can try an LED out. No sense in a first time grower spending all out and getting frustrated or disappointed with low yields while learning the craft. At least with a 250 he knows he'll have a harvest. He also won't have to worry about a led grow light coming through customs.
 

DB&ST

Well-Known Member
planning on starting out with two Easy riders.. also planning on keeping them short since the cabinet im going to use is 3 feet tall..
 

Serapis

Well-Known Member
I ran a Procyon 100 in a secret jardine dr60 and was not satisfied with the results at all. Did good through veg, but once it started flowering it just lagged. Decided to run a 250w mh(veg)/hps(bloom) and kept the procyon for supplemental lighting through out the whole grow in the tent and it worked much better. The LED does make for awesome pictures though, makes the white pistils look like they are glowing.

View attachment 1280139

Exactly why I recommend brand new growers start with what is known to perform. I know from personal experience that starting off with LED is not advisable regardless of what LED fans suggest. Keep in mind, I'm a huge LED supporter. It has a time and a place.
 

DB&ST

Well-Known Member
The 250 watt will support a larger area. Heat shouldn't be an issue, just open a closet door once in awhile or leave it ajar. Why should he wait and save up longer when he has enough to start growing today with an hps light? Let him learn the ropes and then he can try an LED out. No sense in a first time grower spending all out and getting frustrated or disappointed with low yields while learning the craft. At least with a 250 he knows he'll have a harvest. He also won't have to worry about a led grow light coming through customs.
yup.. another issue is getting the package home without the parent's knowing about it, and it's kind of a problem when ordering from ebay..
 

okcomputer

Active Member
The 250 watt will support a larger area. Heat shouldn't be an issue, just open a closet door once in awhile or leave it ajar. Why should he wait and save up longer when he has enough to start growing today with an hps light? Let him learn the ropes and then he can try an LED out. No sense in a first time grower spending all out and getting frustrated or disappointed with low yields while learning the craft. At least with a 250 he knows he'll have a harvest. He also won't have to worry about a led grow light coming through customs.
I was spacing out and didn't think to realize he was a first time grower. That was just the advice I would have given to anyone interested in LED's because the panels are higher wattage.
I would definitely say to get a grow under your belt before switching over to LED. In my opinion The two biggest reasons people are unsatisfied with LED's are inexperience and unrealistic expectations.
 

DB&ST

Well-Known Member
What are the penalties in israel if you were to get caught? Is it worth the risk?
it's always worth the risk.. if you get caught growing you probably end up in jail for some time..
but you can pretty much grow at your house without cops ever knowing..
 
So I've just moved into the LED world for my second grow.

Purchased a 180w switching veg/flower CREE LED panel.

http://www.hydroponicshut.com/pro-grow-180-watt-led-grow-light.html

Installed it today, as my autoflower has just started to get flowers (after almost 8 weeks - no idea why it took so long), but I'm not sure if I want to set the mode to just reds, or reds with white/UV/bit of blue etc. The latter would be in addition to the former. A blend is still best for flowering, above just red, isn't it?

Also, what would be the recommended distance to leave between plant and panel? I've currently got it set up as per the images below. Also shown the different light settings to help with my first question. Thanks. :)
 

okcomputer

Active Member
it's always worth the risk.. if you get caught growing you probably end up in jail for some time..
but you can pretty much grow at your house without cops ever knowing..
Its not fair to put your parents in danger without their knowledge though.
 

stoneyluv

Well-Known Member
That looks like the perfect height. I'm not sure about the red only though... my light doesn't have that fancy setting on it..... anyone else?
 

DB&ST

Well-Known Member
Its not fair to put your parents in danger without their knowledge though.
it's not like in the US.. if i get caught the blame is on me.. they don't know they can't get busted..
when your over 18 your responsible even if it's in your parents house.
 

BigBassTurd

Member
The two biggest reasons people are unsatisfied with LED's are inexperience and unrealistic expectations.
What is an unrealistic expectation?
For the $500 I spent on the procyon 100 your right. I expect the LED to perform the same or better then my $300-400 mh/hps 250w set up, especially since they say the procyon is equal to a 400w mh/hps. Why spend all the money for an LED then?
 

Serapis

Well-Known Member
I hate those hps/mh comparrisons because they set up false expectations. LED lights DO work, just not as though I used to, and some people think they do. For one, it seems to prolong the flowering time. It also reduces branching due to a lack of UVB lighting. these two cons are from my personal experience. I'm sure there are LED systems out there that have addressed these shortcommings since. The problem with LED lighting is it is near impossible to compare one system to another. At least with an hid lamp, you have an idea what to expect with 600 watts.

Those that have and are growing under LEDs are pioneers. The industry is young, and not cheap to get into. Do your research before buying one. Know what you are getting and know what to expect.
 
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