PhatNuggz
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When properly engineered, they work, BUT...
First you need to understand PAR- the actual range of color spectrums that mj needs at various stages of growth. Most LED light mfgs have only begun to address this in the last 2 years, so buyer beware, especially on EBay, the old line If something sounds too good to be true ... applies in spades.
But there is another problem: combining these spectra into one fixture with one on/off switch, means all are shining on your plants 24/7, regardless of your plant's stage of development, whereas, ideally, they should be introduced at specific growth intervals.
As there are basically 3 spectral changes (seedlings/clones, pre-flower and flower) a proper LED should have 3 ranges of spectra and 3 on/off switches.
This oversite (learned the hard way from light Noob ignorance) opened the door to me 1) learning about lighting 2) purchasing a HO T 5, which allows ME to quickly introduce the correct lighting at the appropriate stages.
FYI a ~ 400 watt HO 2 x 4 fixture, including a mix of aquarium bulbs is <$400, which is about 1/3 less than the going price for a well engineered 200 watt LED!
Some growers are now experimenting with aquarium bulbs, which are available in most LED spectrums. The ultimate result comes from LED spectrums without the downside of fixed LED fixtures. hth
First you need to understand PAR- the actual range of color spectrums that mj needs at various stages of growth. Most LED light mfgs have only begun to address this in the last 2 years, so buyer beware, especially on EBay, the old line If something sounds too good to be true ... applies in spades.
But there is another problem: combining these spectra into one fixture with one on/off switch, means all are shining on your plants 24/7, regardless of your plant's stage of development, whereas, ideally, they should be introduced at specific growth intervals.
As there are basically 3 spectral changes (seedlings/clones, pre-flower and flower) a proper LED should have 3 ranges of spectra and 3 on/off switches.
This oversite (learned the hard way from light Noob ignorance) opened the door to me 1) learning about lighting 2) purchasing a HO T 5, which allows ME to quickly introduce the correct lighting at the appropriate stages.
FYI a ~ 400 watt HO 2 x 4 fixture, including a mix of aquarium bulbs is <$400, which is about 1/3 less than the going price for a well engineered 200 watt LED!
Some growers are now experimenting with aquarium bulbs, which are available in most LED spectrums. The ultimate result comes from LED spectrums without the downside of fixed LED fixtures. hth
