comparison grow: HPS vs Induction

[jkbeing]

I am trying out a different company's induction bulb I bought that is distributed in the US and has University and USDA testing. Check them out for yourself www.igrowlights.com lots of good info and vids on their site that I could regurgitate but I'd rather not do it here. I will probably try to do my own thread for the next crop starting in a few weeks. First I had to see if the light actually performs. I know I'm a "new farmer" on this site (or any) but that's really just because I had only been growing with 1000 watt HPS (commercially and personal) in soil before and there wasn't really anything I needed to say or ask that I couldn't already find in books or online. See ya in a few weeks :)
View attachment 265164

what's up WeedsterBunny
How much you pay for that light?
Can you take a picture of the whole setup? I was wondering the coverage of the lamp.

 

[WeedsterBunny]

I paid $950. Not sure if this is a price set in stone, still kind of a new product for their company. The coverage feels comfortable around 4'X5'. It's a big bulb. In the pics I have it next to a 1000w with an analog ballast. Different strains on each side so it isn't a proper comparison.
I admit the plants got a little more stressed than I wanted, plus I had a russet mite scare so I sprayed and pruned off everything down lower that would've harbored those bastards. This is the first flower since I moved. I have my next round I just threw in down below the ones that are almost done. Those will have one of each strain on each side of the room :)

 

[WeedsterBunny]

Hey, all finished up with that last harvest. I'm thinking maybe 4'X5' coverage was a little optimistic, my room is only 6 ft wide. Let's say 3'X5' is a good coverage. Total off that last one with that light was only a little over 9 oz. Remember, those were extremely stressed plants. So I guess the light did pay for itself.

Here's a few pics, The one with the 5 nugs are 2 different strains and different phenos all flowered under the Induction.

Overall I'm pleased with the light so far, good smoke.

I hoping to get a sweet camera that'll allow me better nug shots before/on black Friday.

 

[jkbeing]

$900 for 9 oz's, No bueno!

 

[WeedsterBunny]

Well the value of herb is def more than 900. but if you add cost of nutrients, room setup, etc. I broke even with this harvest on the iGrow side. I'm expecting at least a pound from the next harvest for the light to be a competitor for the good ol' 1000w

 

[mrfixit]

Well the value of herb is def more than 900. but if you add cost of nutrients, room setup, etc. I broke even with this harvest on the iGrow side. I'm expecting at least a pound from the next harvest for the light to be a competitor for the good ol' 1000w

And we have to factor in the lower electricity/heat management and lifespan into the equation as well, which I suspect is measurable especially in warmer months.
I've been looking at induction for a while now, it just needs to become more affordable as far as up front costs (at least for me :-) )

 

[WeedsterBunny]

Yeah, it'll be great to not have to replace bulbs every year :)

 

[LexLuthor]

Yeah, it'll be great to not have to replace bulbs every year :)

Its not all about bulb replacement and electrical costs, the main factor is you got 9 oz. from 20 sq.ft. (then you changed it to 15 sq.ft.) when people pull between 24-48 oz. from a 1000w HPS covering 20 sq.ft.

Based on all the info I've read and seen over the past year, induction lights seem decent for vegging and clones, but they don't stand a chance against 1k HPS when it comes to bud production.

 

[WeedsterBunny]

Its not all about bulb replacement and electrical costs, the main factor is you got 9 oz. from 20 sq.ft. (then you changed it to 15 sq.ft.) when people pull between 24-48 oz. from a 1000w HPS covering 20 sq.ft.

Based on all the info I've read and seen over the past year, induction lights seem decent for vegging and clones, but they don't stand a chance against 1k HPS when it comes to bud production.

I'm not saying they are better for weight or bud production, but they do have some good qualities. I expect at least a pound for it to be considered as a competitor, not that I will actually get that weight from it. Some people look more closely at gram per watt (not weight per sqft), which by those numbers might be decent.
I also said 9oz from stressed, embarrassing plants. I had one run on the light and was guestimating coverage, and admitted I was wrong.

One induction light is proving to not be comparable to one 1000w HPS, But for somebody growing in their closet or have an area where they can't do the proper ventilation or A/C and want more coverage than an LED panel, this light could be their best bet.

I am not an expert at growing or this light, but you're welcome to check out the test I am trying on it https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/simple-1000w-vs-igrow-induction-light.52471/

 

[LexLuthor]

I'm not saying they are better for weight or bud production, but they do have some good qualities. I expect at least a pound for it to be considered as a competitor, not that I will actually get that weight from it. Some people look more closely at gram per watt (not weight per sqft), which by those numbers might be decent.
I also said 9oz from stressed, embarrassing plants. I had one run on the light and was guestimating coverage, and admitted I was wrong.

One induction light is proving to not be comparable to one 1000w HPS, But for somebody growing in their closet or have an area where they can't do the proper ventilation or A/C and want more coverage than an LED panel, this light could be their best bet.

I am not an expert at growing or this light, but you're welcome to check out the test I am trying on it https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/simple-1000w-vs-igrow-induction-light.52471/

The problem with comparing induction and HID with GPW is that the induction cost alot more per watt to buy, so there is an uneven from the start. Now production based on sq.ft. is more accurate especially considering many people have limited space to grow in there homes and they cover there space based on sq.ft.

GPW is only accurate when comparing HID to HID or LED to LED or something like that, anyways, good luck with your grow and I'll check it out soon.

 

[CannabisJohn]

The problem with comparing induction and HID with GPW is that the induction cost alot more per watt to buy, so there is an uneven from the start. Now production based on sq.ft. is more accurate especially considering many people have limited space to grow in there homes and they cover there space based on sq.ft.

GPW is only accurate when comparing HID to HID or LED to LED or something like that, anyways, good luck with your grow and I'll check it out soon.

I use induction lights. I have pulled 3 lbs 10 oz on 2000 watts. This is an older version of the light.

 

[El Cerebro]

I use induction lights. I have pulled 3 lbs 10 oz on 2000 watts. This is an older version of the light.

yeah me too, but just one 400w/7000K. so are you running 5 400w lamps? and what kelvin spec? that yield figure is very impressive compared to my results, is it typical for you? and what varieties are you growing?

haven't flowered with mine exclusively due to obvious lack of canopy penetration, but had a nice test run paired with an air-cooled 'enhanced' 1k hp. very high quality meds and some pretty colors (but not sure which lamp did it, or both). i'm stuck in a tent with limited ventilation for now, so had to remote the ballast/driver to avoid heat stress (they're not quite as cool as some try leading us to believe). vegging some new seedlings with it now.

 

[El Cerebro]

Its not all about bulb replacement and electrical costs, the main factor is you got 9 oz. from 20 sq.ft. (then you changed it to 15 sq.ft.) when people pull between 24-48 oz. from a 1000w HPS covering 20 sq.ft.

Based on all the info I've read and seen over the past year, induction lights seem decent for vegging and clones, but they don't stand a chance against 1k HPS when it comes to bud production.

really curious to hear more on CJ's results, being the first member here with decent rep to endorse with a reasonable yield claim. but otherwise ime/ho Lex sums it up accurately..

 

[WeedsterBunny]

really curious to hear more on CJ's results, being the first member here with decent rep to endorse with a reasonable yield claim. but otherwise ime/ho Lex sums it up accurately..

And everyone keeps taking what I said completely the wrong way. I don't count that harvest as a decent one by any means. Seriously, those plants were near death several times when I had to sneakily transport and store them while moving. Like bent over wilty where I didn't think they would survive. And the most I've harvested from one 1000w was only 1.7 lbs so you're already taking my novice grower number and comparing them to master growers pulling 48 ounces.

I just did a comparison to my own grow and found that "the induction pulled 64-72% of the weight compared to the 1000w." quote that, then make your claims.

The fact is that If you are like some of the people I know who just want to grow their own person few plants in their closet without having to worry and stress over environmental, climate control and ventilation issues of a 1000w and don't need the best bud in the world or the most weight, this is a pricey start, but very simple and easy to pay for itself in a harvest.

I am also very exited to see more of CJ's results

 

[CannabisJohn]

I have only grown 5 cycles with the lights and that was the best. The strain was a blue dream cross. I have 400 watt. Not sure on spectrum. Mine are original design. I want to get some of their newer 420 watt lights with added red spectrum.

 

[El Cerebro]

WB i didn't mean anything negative by that, from your comments i'm sort of watching yours as work in progress, interesting for sure. and fwiw, i think 1.7 per 1k is fairly respectable for a small scale garden that you're still tweaking.

So CJ, sounds like yours came from those indagro fools, mine didn't. Personally i'd skip the 'added red' version and just supplement strategically with hps. The more red used in those phosphor coatings, the less light gets through the glass (main problem with this tech to begin with, and it has a long way to go).

 

[WeedsterBunny]

No worries EC and LEX, I guess it is just mostly embarrassing for me when people keep quoting 9oz from a light :eek:. a little defense kicked in. My b

But honestly, I feel like even getting 60% of the weight using only 40% of the energy is pretty killer.

At the end of all the test runs I might want to use 2 iGrows slanted on both sides of the 1000w. :) Not sure yet but those indica strains seem like they like it.

 

[LexLuthor]

No worries EC and LEX, I guess it is just mostly embarrassing for me when people keep quoting 9oz from a light :eek:. a little defense kicked in. My b

But honestly, I feel like even getting 60% of the weight using only 40% of the energy is pretty killer.

At the end of all the test runs I might want to use 2 iGrows slanted on both sides of the 1000w. :) Not sure yet but those indica strains seem like they like it.

Sorry bout that, I definitely don't wanna cloud up your thread with bullshit, keep up the great work bro and good luck.

 

[Sarlacc]

I'm trying to decide on whether or not to go with two LED panels for what has now become a 5 x 5 area I'll be able to start my garden in. I was looking at the Pro-Gro X5 panels that were suggested by another member. With the iGROW though I've heard through my hydro shop they offer a wider spectrum which have been custom tailored more like the sun's spectrum's. Have you compared the iGROW to any LED panels and what did you think between the two? .

 

[WeedsterBunny]

I'm trying to decide on whether or not to go with two LED panels for what has now become a 5 x 5 area I'll be able to start my garden in. I was looking at the Pro-Gro X5 panels that were suggested by another member. With the iGROW though I've heard through my hydro shop they offer a wider spectrum which have been custom tailored more like the sun's spectrum's. Have you compared the iGROW to any LED panels and what did you think between the two? .

I have never used LED panels, so I do not know how that would compare. I started posting in a grow diary thread with my test on this iGrow vs HPS