165w LED vs. 400w MH/HPS in Grow Tent

I’m planning on setting up a grow tent system. I don’t own a single piece of equipment so I’m creating shopping lists. Maybe some of you guys might find this helpful, but here’s a list of things for two grow tent setups, one is using a 165w LED and the second is using a more traditional 400w MH/HPS setup. The initial cost for the two is pretty much identical, but then you need to factor in variables such as electricity consumption, heat, noise, etc.

I am VERY MUCH leaning towards going LED. Thoughts?

LED SYSTEM:

• Secret Jardin DR100 grow tent - $189
• LED Lumigrow ES-165- $565
• Sunleaves WindTunnel 4" inline fan - $124.95
• Phresh Filter 4x12 - $95
• Clip on fan 6" x2 - $19.95 each
• duct reducer 6" to 4" - $11
• Duct - $20
• Hygrometer/thermometer - $23

total: $1,068

HPS/MH SYSTEM:

• Secret Jardin DR120 grow tent - $198.95
• Lumatek 400W Multi Watt ballast - $155.95
• 400w High Pressure Sodium bulb - $70
• 400w Metal Halide bulb - $100
• Yield Master II 6" Classic Reflector - $89.95
• Sunleaves WindTunnel 4" inline fan x2 - $124.95 each
• Phresh Filter 4x12 - $94 95
• Clip on fan 6" x2 - $19.95 each
• duct reducer 6" to 4" - $11 each
• Duct - $20
• Hygrometer/thermometer - $23
  

Around $1,064

Not impressed with that LED Light. Looks like a Duel Band for Waaaaaaaay too much $$.

I would limit your LED selection to the Models which have been shown to yield substantial bud.

I am running a Quad Band 120Wat LED which Thus far is Kicking ass! (Cost $300)

Lumigrow has proven to be on par with their competitors, I've heard they use quality components and ive seen grow journals with their bigger 330w beast, but I'm also wary because every one of their "comparison journals" has proven to be a marketing shenanigan, not purely observation..

Your quad band led looks not all that different, wattage wise. All of these manufacturers are too slow moving to pick up the 5w rgb led's which would penetrate wayyy further than the lil 1w ticker boards you guys use right now

out.
PurfectStorm

Lumigrow uses true 660 nm red diodes. In bulk, those go for around $15 per diode. I don't know of any other manufacturer that claims to cover that high on the PAR scale. This ES-165 he is looking at is also a brand new model, modeled off of the highly proven ES-330. The only problem with the ES-165 that I can see is buyers will be pioneers of the model. They will be the ones writing grow journals that will make or break the model. It even has an adjustment knob to move the spectrum if the grower wishes, and it comes with the full Lumigrow warranty and satisfaction guaranteed promise, unlike a lot of units for sale on eBay.

Either way you decide to go, I wish you happy harvests.

I mean, I'm sure it will "work", but I know what to expect from a HID setup and would be bummed to be a pioneer for a subpar product, but like you said, it's modeled after the es-330 which can't be a bad thing at all. it sounds perfect for the size of the ten and number of plants i'm planning on growing but i believe the es-165 is still a month or so away.

this is just my 2 cents. from what i have seen LED for what it costs, isnt worth the final results. if you are experimenting then yea LEDs are cool, and have their advantages and im not bashing them. but for what they cost they are not that powerful. if you really want to use them then i would suggest adding a couple of CFLs, ive seen people add those in the help complete the light spectrum and add some power. good luck.

Schotzky said:

this is just my 2 cents. from what i have seen LED for what it costs, isnt worth the final results. if you are experimenting then yea LEDs are cool, and have their advantages and im not bashing them. but for what they cost they are not that powerful. if you really want to use them then i would suggest adding a couple of CFLs, ive seen people add those in the help complete the light spectrum and add some power. good luck.

Click to expand...

Newer models with tri or quad band do not need CFL supplemental lighting. They have new White LEDS that cover everything in the middle of the PAR.

I've been very impressed with what people are doing with the Lumigrow ES 330, the only issue is that it's much bigger than what I need for my small grow. I spoke with someone at Lumigrow earlier today and let's just say that I'm very excited by the ES 650. Essentially, it's the ES 330 for folks like me, who grow in smaller grow tents like the Secret Jardin 120. The ES 650 is also sporting white LEDs in the mix. A single ES 650 can replace a 400w HID setup. Goodbye extra ducts, inline fan, heat, ballast and noise.

If I am not mistaken, the Lumigrow 165 is comprised of 5 watt LEDs.

When the LED enthusiasts proudly display their plants, I am so far unimpressed. At the moment MH and HPS rule, IMHO, but I think the next big thing will be PLASMA. LEDs are the Wankel engine of lighting.

I think that you have to take into consideration the specific requirements for each grower and understanding that while yields may not be quite as amazing as when using a HID system, the qualities of using an alternative lighting system produce benefits that exceed the sacrifice of a little yield.

exactly 99% of people don't use LED because they think they will out-perform HID lighting but because using HID lights is impractical for their situation.
I personally think MH/HPS system is the best way but if you cant use these systems LED is a way to still be able to grow.

tsky said:

exactly 99% of people don't use LED because they think they will out-perform HID lighting but because using HID lights is impractical for their situation.

Click to expand...

Like they are too bright??

LOL. Ive done the cfl and HPS route, and I'd love to try LEDs as well, but there definitely are limitations. Basically, dont use LED for flower. vegging and the first half of flowering is okay, but Ive seen reports of LED bud taking an extra week or two to mature, although far more crystally than the HID counterpart. You cant beat LEDs for efficiency and heat control, you cant beat HID for yield, cant beat cfl's for being dirt cheap...and useless unless for micro grows.

@harold BTW i hope that ES 650 you are talkin about outperforms a 400w hid, because judging by the model name its drawing more than 50% more power than it.

no u dick, like they create huge amounts of heat and yes you can use cooltubes ect but then that requires more equipment, money and takes up more space

i just bought a 225watt led light WavelengthRed: 660nm
Blue: 450nm and it only cost $40 plus s&h i thought it was worth it

LED's still have a few years to go before the correct spectrum balance and cost effectiveness are achieved. I will wait for them to finish their R/D, and not be a guinea pig for the lighting companies.