What do you think about LED grow lights?

by Rory
(Hillbilly Hell)

I'm kind of curious. I'd love to use a high dollar light set up... BUT... if LED is just as effective and a lot more efficient concerning heat and power usage, then I'd just as soon go with LED vs. HPS/HID. Cost does factor into it some, but mainly the power/temp savings are really the factor.

Can Florescent bulbs works as well as HPS/HID provided you have adequate lights? Is there such thing as overkill with that?

Answer Rory- as of this post, the LED lights that are being manufactured specifically for indoor gardening are still more expensive when you consider how many you will have to buy to light an area successfully. The light from LED lights is similar to light from fluorescent lights....it is not that strong, so you have to keep your plants within 18 inches of the bulbs.

The weakness of the light also produces lower yields. Even using the most high tech fluorescent grow lights (T5 lights) you can still only expect half the yield (compared to a garden the same size lit with an HID light). If you are using 4 foot long fluorescent shop lights, you can expect to yield even less.

No matter what type of light you choose, you want about 20 watts of light in every sq.ft. of your garden to support vegetative growth. Most garden plants demand more light during the flowering period. I usually aim to provide 40 watts per every sq.ft. of garden space. This becomes very difficult to do with fluorescent lights (actually impossible)- you run out of room before you have added all the lights you need to add to achieve 40 watts/sq.ft..

When you finally get tired of grappling with a dozen different fluorescent lights, and when you finally get tired of the low yields (considering all the time involved)- I recommend getting a 400 watt HPS light. A 400 watt light is just big enough to produce some good results, but small enough to be easy on the electric bill. Get one with a digital ballast- they use up to 40% less electricity (and add less heat to the grow room).

You also want a reflector/hood that you are able to air-cool (4 inch or 6 inch vents on the side). The heat from a 400 watt light is much easier to deal with than the heat from a 1000 watt light. In the winter, simply cracking a window may be enough to keep the heat under control. If you stay with the hobby for a while, you will look back on your decision to get a 400 watt light as one of the best decisions you ever made!

So, tinker around with those fluorescent lights if you must until you save up your money for a proper light....but start saving your money! The difference is like night and day. With a little research, you can find some very affordable systems. With a bigger yield to show for your effort, you might actually stay with the hobby!

Hope this helps...remember- 20 watts/sq.ft for veg
and 40 watts/sq.ft. for flowering. Happy Growing!