First LED grow

High all,

I recently purchased a new LED for my 4x4 tent, to see how it would perform in the space, compared to my old 400W HPS.

I got my LED from GreenLamp Canada. Its branded as a DiamondBrite8, and it says its assembled in Canada, although I have no idea if thats true or not. Actual power draw ~270W. It appears the LED is very similar to a Cidly Apollo 8, with a custom LED configuration.

I decided to give them a try since they were a local distributor, have a trade-up program, and a lifetime warranty. Though time will tell how the light performs, I had an excellent customer experience, and their customer service was excellent. The light was ordered and shipped to my door via CanadaPost in under a week.

The LED has the following light configuration: 48 x 660nm, 28 x 630nm, 16 x 470nm, 8 x 430nm, 8 x 615nm, 8 x 520nm, 8 x 3000k.

I'm growing two phenos of Mr. Nice's limited edition Z7 strain, which is a rare strain, with 50% of the phenos being CBD-dominant. I've grown out this strain using conventional HID lighting, so I'm familiar with the strain and its growing characteristics.

They're growing in 3gal pots, with the following mix:

45% - soil mixture (pro-mix, which is a custom mix by a local greenhouse facility that I frequent)
40% - coco coir
15% - worm castings

I amended the mix with some Bat Guano too.

I'll be using GH's General Organics line through flowering cycle, and will be adding some Molasses in the middle weeks for a bit of a carb load.

I vegged them under 4 x 54W T5HO until they were 20" or so tall. I'm half considering setting up a SCRoG, after seeing the success others have had with this method, using LED.

More info to follow, with photos.

Day 1, 12-12

A few initial observations about the light itself.

Crap, it throws out a lot of light! I've read lots of grow journals of fellow LED users, and everyone always exclaimed how bright these things were, but I never fully appreciated that statement until I turned this on for the first time. And I had to rig up a set of chains instead of the yo-yo hangers that my HPS had used, as this mofo is quite a bit heavier, and my yo-yo's couldn't handle the weight.

The core coverage area at the "ideal flowering height" is smaller than I had envisioned. I don't see growing more than 2 plants at a time under a single light. I can see why some guys have been doubling up lights to fully cover a 4x4 area. Although I've seen a RIU member post a 1-light Apollo8 SCRoG that looked like it got good results...which is why I've been thinking of going SCRoG route as well here.

nice, how much did the light cost? Im about to get a 4x4 and im looking ar doing an LED/CFL combo to bust out a good harvest

I paid 7 bills, shipped. I know it's more than direct from Cidly. But I went with the warranty and local factor, and that it was a customized spectrum.

I had originally thought of adding 54W of T5HO on either side when planning this, and I just may yet, depending upon how things go with this run.

that would make for major buds, do it broski

Day 2, 12-12

Watered with ph balanced h2o, and a bit of CalMag.

The ladies seem pretty happy so far with the transition to the new LED. I bent and tied a tall branch yesterday, and it's turned up towards the light today.

2 or 4 T5 HO for side-penetration. The results would weight more with those on. And go for a SCROG mate! Cheers!

Day 6, 12-12

I'm glad I've read up from other LED growers experiences before getting into it myself. The general concern is overwatering, and I've definitely noticed they need watering less frequently, out of the get go.

I may water them this evening, or may not...and thats 4 days after the last. With my soil/soiless mix under HID, I would have to water every 2 days, without fail.

I'll grab some photos tonight when the girls wake up.

Here's some photos, as promised.

Things are starting to heat up (figuratively speaking), and the plants have started smelling and getting their first few hairs sprouting out. It seems like things are starting up a few days early with LED vs. HID...or maybe its a bit of wishful thinking (hoping) on my part.

I've been doing some light plant bondage and thinning, while they're still young. Decided to simply train the plants instead of SCRoGging them this time round. I have been reading up on the Mainlining technique, and I'd like to try that next round...seems to fit into my personal style better than a SCRoG would.

Able to get your heat high enough in the room for ideal flowering?

I'm averaging 24.5c, so pretty decent, IMO.

i thought greenlamp was a uk company :-/

This is Greenlamp Canada...not sure if affiliated with the UK company. They're located somewhere around Toronto.

I havent updated in a little bit, cuz the wife went away with my computer. But I took some photos, which I'll post shortly.

Everything is going tickety-boo so far, although I've been dealing with a few bug issues, but think thats getting under control with some sticky strips.

The thing I've really noticed though, is the lack of stretch in the initial 2 weeks, compared to what I'm used to with HPS. The plants are filling out, and flowers are starting to grow, but I haven't had much more than a few inches of stretch.

Day 17