TTYSTICK- I looked at plasma as a possible option before going with iGROW and like you said the spectrum deficiencies required some other supplement to flower. And at a considerable price to what can be done with an iGROW two lamp option. I don't know how familiar you might be with the chameleon systems but it to is also a plasma which they add red LEDs to in order to enhance flower. And while I would agree it's energy efficient if you look at the price of this system you'll see it's twice the price of the iGROW and it won't cover as large of an area.
I believe you misunderstood the lighting I'm planning to install. I like the plasma units, but I am looking at the
Gavita Double Ended 1000w HPS system. For details, google '
Gavita Proline 1000DE'. This is an HPS technology that's been updated to produce substantially more light and far longer endurance than conventional screw in single ended HPS lamps. Otherwise, it's pretty similar in terms of spectrum and heat emitted. I hear people are getting some impressive results using plasma as a supplemental source, and I may look into that in the future... when the price comes down.
Because this is just a SIMPLE test. I didn't partition it in separate areas because that would effect the flow of air. A/C is on one side of the room that would make the sides different temps, the side with the carbon filter exhaust would obviously be moving air through faster and I'm not willing to try and get that in the middle of the room, I only have one oscillating fan and don't want to have one for each side, etc... It's loud enough in my apartment running as is with air stones and everything else, I'm surprised none of my neighbors have complained about that constant hummmmmmmmm,uuuuuuuummmm of the ocillating. I can barely sleep with it in the next room.
As far as quality, for me right now, it's not as great as the HPS and you would see that if you read through my observations and replies (not saying that somebody could get it dialed in better and get better quality from iGrow). There is the B pheno of the Scott's OG x Headband that does appear to like the iGrow more and produces a better bud structure, frost, and density, but unfortunately that was the last run of that pheno because it is getting narrowed down to the super fire C pheno only.
I don't think anybody is dismissing the technology completely, that's why they are watching threads like this. We just don't like it when somebody jumps on here and starts yelling at us saying that this is the ultimate and best technology ever and that we should all switch and save the world's energy and grow the best bud in the world! Even telling long time HPS fans to make the switch and spends thousands on redoing their system. Not practical scrapping all their knowledge and trying to get a whole new system dialed in.
Do you have a vehicle Sarlacc? Because I don't, I bike. But you don't want me to tell you over and over and over that you should make the switch to a bike because of all the money you are wasting on gas and repairs, not to mention the harm cars bring to our world. Sometimes making the switch with any technology, no matter how amazing the new stuff is, isn't practical or worth doing.
I like your side by side, as it illustrates how well the two techs play together. This may not be the definitive setup some want, but it's yours, right? Besides, there's always next run...
My airstones don't make much noise, but they're in the bottom of 5 gallon buckets tightly covered with netpot bucket lids, and the damping effects of beards of roots. :D The airpump and fans are a different story, and I would suggest rubber mounts and/or hanging gear from bungee cords to isolate and dampen their vibrations. Often, the noise comes as much from how gear is attached to the room as from the direct output of the pump/fan itself.
When comparing bud quality and structure, it is essential to ensure that the plants in the comparison are getting as near to identical light pressure as possible, and determining that usually takes a pretty expensive light sensing instrument. They can be rented, if you're interested in getting that specific, but it is differences like these that can swamp any comparisons between lights and render the observations unreliable. That said, it is just as important to see how things work when installed as a real world grower would, as opposed to a Ph.D in physics working for the company. Or Squiggly. :eek: I kid, brother!
Your aside about riding a bicycle resonates with me; I HATE how much power I use, for environmental reasons just as much as for the gaping hole drilled in my wallet. This is why I use a chiller to cool my setup, as it's roughly twice as efficient as AC. It's also eliminating the need to burn natural gas to heat my home all winter! My desire to tread lightly is why I have never bought a car newer than 20 years old. I believe in driving an old car and taking care of it instead of subsidizing the monumental environmental destruction of new car production. I know it isn't the whole solution, but I live in a city where it gets cold (currently 2 degrees F, or -17 C) and I often have to carpool. It is, therefore, the best solution I can afford and still be able to get around in the world as it is. I also bike when I can.
For those who don't know, Colorado is the third largest coal producing state in the US, after West Virginia and Wyoming. Every coal train that rumbles through town reminds me of just how much of that shit our industry is burning every day, nevermind the mess of the coal mining operations themselves. NASTY...
