A bunch of CFL's or a decent 500 watt LED fixture

johnnyomegabuds

johnnyomegabuds

Member
I splurged out and bought a 500 watt lighthouse hydro blackstar LED fixture...the 3w chipset. The only reason i made the purchase is because it was only $450, and they usually sell for $560. Previously i'd been using just cfls, to be honest they weren't cutting it for flowering....(for vegging i have no problem at all with cfls). Now do you think if i just added more cfl's which in return could be worse; energy, heat, and headache wise(when it comes to mounting them all), that the outcome would be denser nugs compared to this unit. I feel as though i may not have researched enough and just wanted a simple $450 dollar answer to my light issue. My area is 2.5x4 ft and i was using about 204 watts of cfls which was getting a little warm temperature wise at a 2700k spectrum. Height doesn't matter because I'm scroging. Input would be really appreciated for those who may be familiar with the unit or for those who want to comment on whether I made the right or wrong choice.


Just so you don't hate me:sad: i do have a hps light. i just can't use it, because my previous buddha sanctuary which had ventilation is unavailable due to family
 
Campo Cultivator

Campo Cultivator

Well-Known Member
is that 500 watt actual draw mate cant comment on the blackstar as I have never used it seems like a bargain at that price
whats your colour ratio and brand of chips in them
 
johnnyomegabuds

johnnyomegabuds

Member
Campo Cultivator said:
is that 500 watt actual draw mate cant comment on the blackstar as I have never used it seems like a bargain at that price
whats your colour ratio and brand of chips in them
Click to expand...
I believe it actually draws 304watts and the advertise bands are Red: 630, 660nm, Blue: 425nm, Infrared: 730nm, Ultraviolet: 380nm, White: 12000k.... brand of chips are probably chinese or japenese, they're an american company....I'm not too sure on the colour ratio but there's definitely more red then blue since its a flowering model.

I actually just got it and set it up yesterday...seems pretty bright....but im not sure if i should supplement it with a couple of additional cfls or if that would just be a waste of time
 
J

jcmjrt

Well-Known Member
My limited experience is there is some exaggeration by the manufacturer as to useful coverage. I don't have any experience with your unit but I'd guess that you will be wanting some supplemental CFL. I don't think that's a bad thing. Sidelighting is something that I usually plan to do. LEDs are typically good pretty much right under the panel and not a whole lot off the sides (some depending on optics) and height of LED above the plant etc. A few well placed CFL bulbs would probably do a lot of good.
The only "problems" I've had with LED so far are - 1) I've had to add heat to the room even with supplemental fluorescents 2) I overwatered a couple of times since there's so little heat and IR and the plants just don't go through as much water 3) I started with the LED light a little close and the internodal distances are reallly tight for the lower part of the plant before I raised it. I mean compact is good but this was getting to I couldn't find the stem. So play with the distance of the light. Yours will probably be different but with mine I found about 12 - 14 inches above at veg is good and about 6 inches is good for flower....at least so far and I just switched to flower (with LED) last week so I'm new at it too...but she looks very happy with her leaves lifting to the light.
 
PetFlora

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
4-5 ~ 100watt leds. 2 biased toward vegging, the other 2-3 biased toward flowering. All can be used during flower when you want more light

Here's roughly 90 led watts in action + a 26w repiti-glo. Today I also added a 50w Basking cfl for lots of deep red. She ~ 27" tall, loaded with side branches
 

Attachments

johnnyomegabuds

johnnyomegabuds

Member
jcmjrt said:
My limited experience is there is some exaggeration by the manufacturer as to useful coverage. I don't have any experience with your unit but I'd guess that you will be wanting some supplemental CFL. I don't think that's a bad thing. Sidelighting is something that I usually plan to do. LEDs are typically good pretty much right under the panel and not a whole lot off the sides (some depending on optics) and height of LED above the plant etc. A few well placed CFL bulbs would probably do a lot of good.
The only "problems" I've had with LED so far are - 1) I've had to add heat to the room even with supplemental fluorescents 2) I overwatered a couple of times since there's so little heat and IR and the plants just don't go through as much water 3) I started with the LED light a little close and the internodal distances are reallly tight for the lower part of the plant before I raised it. I mean compact is good but this was getting to I couldn't find the stem. So play with the distance of the light. Yours will probably be different but with mine I found about 12 - 14 inches above at veg is good and about 6 inches is good for flower....at least so far and I just switched to flower (with LED) last week so I'm new at it too...but she looks very happy with her leaves lifting to the light.
Click to expand...
Yeah i definitely have noticed it takes longer to dry. Its fine tho because like all of you i have a life and don't mind doing a little less work lol. I just started a grow thread its labeled as "500 watt blackstar grow.....new to LEDS" heres link: https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/575978-blackstar-500-grow-new-leds.html
follow along if you want easier to do things with other people then just by yourself
 
johnnyomegabuds

johnnyomegabuds

Member
PetFlora said:
4-5 ~ 100watt leds. 2 biased toward vegging, the other 2-3 biased toward flowering. All can be used during flower when you want more light

Here's roughly 90 led watts in action + a 26w repiti-glo. Today I also added a 50w Basking cfl for lots of deep red. She ~ 27" tall, loaded with side branches
Click to expand...
awesome man it looks nice!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top