What light is recommended for flowering in my small grow box?

[Tim Fox]

the only issue you are going to run into is height in the box. you'll need about 6" from the hps to the plant tops and then the height of the light itself. then add the height of the pot and the plant itself and now you don't have much left over.

i had a 150hps with built in ballast a long time ago. there was a small flange that you could hook a 4" fan to get rid of some of the heat.

if i were you, i'd go this whole grow with the led. after the grow is over, it will be easier to see what worked and what needs to be improved.

sound advice, if you made .5 grams per watt with the ufo you may harvest 40 grams, I do like seeing guys find ways to vent thier bulbs with hardware , glass from lanterns, flanges from home depot,, will go far to reduce heat,,

 

[Mr.Hush]

the only issue you are going to run into is height in the box. you'll need about 6" from the hps to the plant tops and then the height of the light itself. then add the height of the pot and the plant itself and now you don't have much left over.

i had a 150hps with built in ballast a long time ago. there was a small flange that you could hook a 4" fan to get rid of some of the heat.

if i were you, i'd go this whole grow with the led. after the grow is over, it will be easier to see what worked and what needs to be improved.

That is probably the best option...Im hopin that the buds wont be too light and airy with the led...I have 2700k cfls that ill use for side lighting when i get there... Im gonna post progress as I go... Hoping that I can learn this go round and produce 2ounces between a few plants, then knock it out of the park next time.

 

[Mr.Hush]

Im assuming the LED i have will be sufficient for veg, or do you guys think cfls are needed? I am also a little unsure about the distance to keep the LED away at this stage... it seems like there are alot of different answers depending on where you look.

 

[Tim Fox]

Do you have a link to your light, so I can check the specs, and it would be easier to get a distance, I need to know if they are one, three or five watt diodes

 

[nomofatum]

Im assuming the LED i have will be sufficient for veg, or do you guys think cfls are needed? I am also a little unsure about the distance to keep the LED away at this stage... it seems like there are alot of different answers depending on where you look.

That LED light should only need about 2-3" of space to avoid burning the plant. That light will work fine solo for veg, but veg will be a bit slower. For flower the light will not be enough for very good results. You are about 25% short of the minimum amount of light you want to run, and about 50% short of where you want to be. I would add about 100w of tube florescent, CFL will work too, but not quite as well.

 

[Tim Fox]

Im assuming the LED i have will be sufficient for veg, or do you guys think cfls are needed? I am also a little unsure about the distance to keep the LED away at this stage... it seems like there are alot of different answers depending on where you look.

You can grow the whole way Thur with that led it will veg and flower, I know several people who grow the whole way Thur with thier flower lights,

 

[rkymtnman]

i'd save the cfls for flower. after the stretch is done and the buds start to form, hit it with as much light as you can while keeping the heat in check.

keep it farther away now when they are small. as they get bigger, slowly lower it. i would think you could get within 6" to 9" no problem. just keep an eye out for leaves that turn whitish. then raise it up a bit.

 

[Mr.Hush]

Do you have a link to your light, so I can check the specs, and it would be easier to get a distance, I need to know if they are one, three or five watt diodes

Yeah, they are the three watt diodes. Its the Galaxyhydro "138w 9 band" version
here is the info:

Why choose us?
1. High power 3w Branded Epileds to ensure the Par Value. Energy saving, environmental friendly and high brightness
2. Professional light proportion with best ratio of red ray and blue ray, providing better light environment for plants growth and improving the growth speed and output of plants.
3. Including IR(infrared) with the function of sterilization, stimulating cell division and increasing the yield. ( not so brighter than other leds, but it's normal and not quality problem)
4. UL approved Fans, high quality IC, well designed fan blades, anti-noise, powerful cooling performance ensured, lifespan extended
5.Revolutionary Heat Aluminium PCB, Run 80% cooler than high intensity discharge (HID) lights
6.Zener, works as capacitor, protect the light keep working if there's one LED out of work.
7. 6 years' experience in designing and manufacturing lights. Agents in USA, Australia, UK and so on
Product info:
Size: Ф175x60mm
Worldwide Voltage: AC85~265V
Frequency: 50/60 HZ
Certificates: CE, ROHS
Working Environment: -20℃～ 40℃
Lifespan: over 50,000hours
9 band: 430-440nm,450-460nm,610-615nm,620-630nm,650-660nm,white,IR,380-400nm
View angle of LEDs: 90 degree and 120 degree mixed
Lighting area: 37sq.ft in flowering stage, 64sq.ft in veg stage

 

[Tim Fox]

That LED light should only need about 2-3" of space to avoid burning the plant. That light will work fine solo for veg, but veg will be a bit slower. For flower the light will not be enough for very good results. You are about 25% short of the minimum amount of light you want to run, and about 50% short of where you want to be. I would add about 100w of tube florescent, CFL will work too, but not quite as well.

Mars panels burn that close, if he has an old one watt diode light maybe, my Mars 300 will toast leafs at six inches best at twelve with those

 

[nomofatum]

Mars panels burn that close, if he has an old one watt diode light maybe, my Mars 300 will toast leafs at six inches best at twelve with those

http://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-Plants-Growing-Greenhouse-Indoor/dp/B00RWYCRB2

He has a 3w Epistar chip based LED light. I build my own 3w Epistar lights. I can get within 2" without burning/bleaching with 3w Epistars powered at 1.5w. His light is using 3w Epistars powered at less than 1.5w. His light uses somewhere near 65w actual. Please review his light before telling him to use it for flower solo, he will be disappointed and waste time/effort.

In any event, there is no need/reason to let the light get that close until he runs out of space...

 

[Mr.Hush]

Okay... So here is my new dilemma then...when i added 4 5000k cfls to the box with my LED, my temp is over 84 degrees. This shit is getting disheartening fast and making me just want to put cfl's back in the damned box until i can get an hps. . .
I have the LED at about 16 inches from the seed cups now...

Any ideas on getting the temp right? Im not supposed to go over 82 degrees - right?

 

[Tim Fox]

http://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-Plants-Growing-Greenhouse-Indoor/dp/B00RWYCRB2

He has a 3w Epistar chip based LED light. I build my own 3w Epistar lights. I can get within 2" without burning/bleaching with 3w Epistars powered at 1.5w. His light is using 3w Epistars powered at less than 1.5w. His light uses somewhere near 65w actual. Please review his light before telling him to use it for flower solo, he will be disappointed and waste time/effort.

In any event, there is no need/reason to let the light get that close until he runs out of space...

Thanks for the input, love the DIY builds

Edit, we are talking in private about going HPS, I am trying to steer him in a better direction, sorry if that info wasnt present in this thread, me and most of my friends grow with COBs, and have ditched out 3 watt blurple panels, But I also dont want to see him toss money into the never ending pit of pot growing without getting equal returns, he already owns the led, so the suggestion was for him to use it and get a feel for things, but if it was men I would use it over the hot tub for disco lighting and go with something better,, hope that makes sense

 

[nomofatum]

Okay... So here is my new dilemma then...when i added 4 5000k cfls to the box with my LED, my temp is over 84 degrees. This shit is getting disheartening fast and making me just want to put cfl's back in the damned box until i can get an hps. . .
I have the LED at about 16 inches from the seed cups now...

Any ideas on getting the temp right? Im not supposed to go over 82 degrees - right?

Depends on who you believe and what strain you run. Many places say 70-80, other places say 75-85, still others at 70-85 or even 75-90. 84 will work just fine, may not be absolutely ideal, but is it close enough. Most strains won't show any heat stress or slow down until you get into the 90's.

 

[Tim Fox]

Depends on who you believe and what strain you run. Many places say 70-80, other places say 75-85, still others at 70-85 or even 75-90. 84 will work just fine, may not be absolutely ideal, but is it close enough. Most strains won't show any heat stress or slow down until you get into the 90's.

my summer grow only showed issues when the temps rose above 90, then yea you could see the stress in the plant, just run your fan for air circ inside, dont over water

 

[Tim Fox]

this is what I did with my 3 watt panel,, panel,

 

[Mr.Hush]

Well... I have alot to think about...I must admit I am pissed about buying the LED when I could already have gotten a HPS system for the same price. It stings a little..lol... I just wish I would have started researching in here before I bought stuff - but hey - it isnt to late, and I have learned some good lessons thus far.

I guess for now I'll add the CFL's back to the top of the box with the LED and watch the temps closely... I have another small fan i can add if i need to....So... Looks like Ill be running the 1 LED and 4 5000K CFLs that will add 3200 lumens for veg.

Thank you guys for the help... any last suggestions before i get off here and back to experimenting with how to light my seedlings??

 

[nomofatum]

Thanks for the input, love the DIY builds

Edit, we are talking in private about going HPS, I am trying to steer him in a better direction, sorry if that info wasnt present in this thread, me and most of my friends grow with COBs, and have ditched out 3 watt blurple panels, But I also dont want to see him toss money into the never ending pit of pot growing without getting equal returns, he already owns the led, so the suggestion was for him to use it and get a feel for things, but if it was men I would use it over the hot tub for disco lighting and go with something better,, hope that makes sense

Just to give an idea of where his LEDs fall for efficiency:
His LED: 110lm/w
CFL: 70-85lm/w
Tube Florescent: 85-95lm/w
600w HPS: 150lm/w
150w HPS: 105lm/w
COBs: 130-180lm/w (rarely higher, especially real world.)

In a small space his LED is actually a pretty good fit... For larger spaces his LED can't compare, but for a small box, the big LEDs or HIDs just don't work.

 

[rkymtnman]

this is what I did with my 3 watt panel,, View attachment 3537037 View attachment 3537038 panel,

shouldn't that be in the recycle bin? lol. 3watters aren't that bad. i started with a 90w ufo a long time ago. the top buds were tight and good. below that they were kinda airy. but made good hash with them.

to OP, can you increase size of extract fan. or use the intake as an exhaust as well and just have a passive (no fan) intake?

 

[Tim Fox]

Just to give an idea of where his LEDs fall for efficiency:
His LED: 110lm/w
CFL: 70-85lm/w
Tube Florescent: 85-95lm/w
600w HPS: 150lm/w
150w HPS: 105lm/w
COBs: 130-180lm/w (rarely higher, especially real world.)

In a small space his LED is actually a pretty good fit... For larger spaces his LED can't compare, but for a small box, the big LEDs or HIDs just don't work.

My man, Supra has been over all that in the led section I hope your posting it for his knowledge and not mine?

 

[Tim Fox]

I am enjoying watching guys grow with the small cob lights in the small boxes, so when you say , "the big led's dont work",, then lets steer him towards some vero 10's, or some smaller cxa's,, now that would be the BOMB in this cab!!!