Need difinitive answer to LED question.

Hi all, I have a few questions...

**Plan on doing micro-grow, quick yield on 4 - 6 plants, 9 weeks or less**

1. I have a small, have underground area (basically this is a split level house built about 30 years ago, the back foundation of the house was built on a slightly sloping ground so the lower level is half underground. The room I intend to use is fairly decent in size, about 10' x 6' and is attached to the bedroom. This grow room is located behind my bedroom. the grow room faces the back yard/trees while my room faces the front yard/road. Assuming infrared imaging would be done from some location at a distance, would a 400w HPS/MH light put off any real hot spots?

2. Seeing as I am using a rather large setup...bubbleponics, ph reservoir (takes dirty work out of constantly adjusting) and additional reservoir (so over-feeding is almost impossible) I was just considering leaving everything open...not closing it all up in a grow tent or cabinet. I dont even think that cool-cab would hold all the sterilite containers...lol. I might get the "dark room" tent because its huge, supposedly thermally impermeable, reflects light, and seals in odors.

3. Lighting. I have a 400w switchable HPS/MH light however, I'm worried that the light might damage/melt my equipment. I've already sunk in some money already on the bubbleponics, ph res, and extra res, I'd hate to have it start melting because of the light. On top of that I have purchased no ventilation, no fans or anything to cool the light off, too much work/money to cool off a light. Does a 400w light need cooling? Will a 400w light burn plastic within a certain height?

3a. LEDs. Now, hopefully someone with actual LED growing experience can help me out on this. I've been looking at different products from the 900LED panels (900 red, 900 blue) on eBay going for $225 a piece. I've also seen the XB cool on another forum. Are LEDs good for nothing more than supplementing existing lighting? Can I realistically use LEDs ALONE from vegetation state to flowering? Price isn't really a concern, I just want to be assured that if I'm spending the money on LED grow lights I get something good, a reliable brand from a reliable company, and will actually work as a standalone lighting solution without the need for any other kind of lighting.


Thanks for looking.

Hey man, I did a lot of research on that too, whatever you do don't buy those sh1tty panels that cost about £20 on ebay. They do nothing, I have seen failure after failure when people use them. Led's is very much a get what you pay for.

Obviously never gonna be same as MH or HPS, but i am on the PRASAKA UFO (checked the components and the LEDs come form leading corporations in the lighting field) cost £90 I am 4 weeks in with LEDs, on an autoflower nice and bushy but quite short. Uses almost no electricity and heat is not a problem (never burns your plants).

Hope this helps dude