Which light would be better for 1 maybe 2 plants?

I am thinking of growing 1 maybe 2 plants. I will be using soil and plan on making it a scrog grow. I was just curious on what would be better light for the money? A 300w LED 9band panel or a 250w hps/mh? any comments would be great.

The hid hands down...LEDs can't watch them watt for watt...or 2 to 1 as far as I'm concerned... CFLs are even better then LEDs IMO...

smokegreenshlt said:

The hid hands down...LEDs can't watch them watt for watt...or 2 to 1 as far as I'm concerned... CFLs are even better then LEDs IMO...

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ok thank you for the reply. I have used cfls before and had good results. I am just looking to try new lighting.

All you need is one of those 150W HPS on Amazon 60-70 bucks max...
put that screen you are planning over 2 plants in a 20x36" are and pull 2-4 zips easily

soil? Man I dunno...I'm a "semi-newb" in that I've done weed in the distant past in dirt, then VERY recently in hydro but now I'm 100% convinced coco is the most fool proof and combines best of soil & hydro....

soil? Man I dunno...I'm a "semi-newb" in that I've done weed in the distant past in dirt, then VERY recently in hydro but now I'm 100% convinced coco is the most fool proof and combines best of soil & hydro....[/QUOTE]
what are the pros and cons of coco i have been wanting to grow again and was thinking about using coco

For small grow areas, high quality LED lighting is the way to go. See my signature for a complete grow thread using LED.

Long run, LED is a better investment although the up front cost is higher, the running cost is much cheaper.

Think about cooling the HID in summer months, electricity, bulb replacement, extra cooling equipment. LED is more efficient for small growers, period.

BTW, I tossed my 400 watt HID cool tube setup last month after completing an LED grow last spring. More bud, less money to grow it.

LED's are somw e what new but do produce good crops, look at "HPS" best for flower and "mp" for vegation could also use CFL's 400 -600 watt

I'd go with a dimmable 400 watt hps ballast and lamp - you can crank it down when you don't need the extra wattage and you'll have plenty of lumens to add if you decide to expand your garden. The "standard" routine is cfl lighting for seedlings and young veg plants, MH for adult veg plants, HPS for flowering plants. I don't do it exactly this way but that's the "base" of the majority of grow operations. GL

ps - to my knowledge, all electronic HPS ballasts (dimmable too) can run MH bulbs of the exact same wattage; so that may save you from buying a MH ballast.

brissel said:

what are the pros and cons of coco i have been wanting to grow again and was thinking about using coco

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please pardon the thread deviation...I'll post the answer over in Drain to waste under "my Coco experiences so far"

LED all the way. You need to have a good look around though cause there are so many shite ones. I use LED and have had excellent results with them.

prosperian said:

For small grow areas, high quality LED lighting is the way to go. See my signature for a complete grow thread using LED.

Long run, LED is a better investment although the up front cost is higher, the running cost is much cheaper.

Think about cooling the HID in summer months, electricity, bulb replacement, extra cooling equipment. LED is more efficient for small growers, period.

BTW, I tossed my 400 watt HID cool tube setup last month after completing an LED grow last spring. More bud, less money to grow it.

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"THINK ABOUT COOLING HID IN THE SUMMER MONTHS....
I have the opposite problem
WARMING the grow area DURING the LIGHTS OUT HOURS.
If I used LED's I'd have to add additional heat for 24 hours, instead of 12.

You'll not get agreement with regards to HID v LED.
It's a contentious issue that polarises opinion.

I M O HIDs are better known and tested - you KNOW what you're getting,
LED's are still new technology and they can be very hit and miss.

Why take the risk of spending three times the cost of a HID
for a lamp that works a third as good???

ALSO - Many of the LED fans have a business interest in them.
They make commission on the sales they steer.

NorthofEngland said:

"THINK ABOUT COOLING HID IN THE SUMMER MONTHS....I have the opposite problemWARMING the grow area DURING the LIGHTS OUT HOURS.If I used LED's I'd have to add additional heat for 24 hours, instead of 12.

You'll not get agreement with regards to HID v LED. It's a contentious issue that polarises opinion. I M O HIDs are better known and tested - you KNOW what you're getting,
LED's are still new technology and they can be very hit and miss. Why take the risk of spending three times the cost of a HIDfor a lamp that works a third as good??? ALSO - Many of the LED fans have a business interest in them. They make commission on the sales they steer.

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Well, my reply wasn't for you, but a new grower searching out the best lighting gear "for the money". And for the dollar investment, professional LED panels have a better return for the small grower. This is in weighing in performance, harvest weights, electricity consumption, additional gear for HID heat extraction, fans and noise, bulb replacement, and different bulbs MH / HPS.

I think if you actually grown crops with both HID and LED like I have, the information being shared is more relevant. Parroting old info about HID doesn't help the industry grow and contributes little to the discussion. IMO

A little research and listening to other experienced growers is the best way to pick your LEDs OP. Some of our RIU members are a little naive in thinking anything promoted doesn't have marketing investment dollars attached, especially the marijuana industry. Take my advice, follow a grower journal from start to finish on the gear you want to use.

"Why take the risk of spending three times the cost of a HID for a lamp that works a third as good???"

That's a ridiculous statement. Good thing we are on an Internet forum because anywhere else in world that statement doesn't hold water.