LED Suggestions

[recreationaluse]

i do use blackstar products. they are my leds of choice but mostly due to the best bang for the buck factor imo. i do aknowledge better lighting available but do not agree with the pricing at this time. ratios in 2011 model are 32 leds at 660nm, 32 at 630 nm, 8 at 425nm, 1 at 730nm(IR) cant remember benefits of IR, 1 at 380nm(UV). benefits of uv is like the benefits of homeopathic treatment. UV is dangerous for plants at HIGH amounts. in low amounts plants detect the UV and as a defense mechanism produce more crystal formation on flowers and leafs to help distort (prizm effect) the UV wavelength bombarding them. this is the most visually impressive thing that has made me stick w leds. as in pics i'm one of those where talking about something is risky enough but showing physical evidence (pics) is outa my league. IM NOT HERE TRYING TO PUSH PRODUCTS ON PEOPLE but out of the three brands i have experimented with i decided on the blackstars due to the quality to price factor. if i had the money to blow i wouldnt mind the solaro sunclone to try but i wouldnt take there word on a 6x6 coverage area for maximun yield. i can get 4 blackstar 240's for cheaper and REALLY cover a 6x6 area

 

[recreationaluse]

thanks oldnug for that link very interested in that product love the wavelengths specs

 

[SSC]

i do use blackstar products. they are my leds of choice but mostly due to the best bang for the buck factor imo. i do aknowledge better lighting available but do not agree with the pricing at this time. ratios in 2011 model are 32 leds at 660nm, 32 at 630 nm, 8 at 425nm, 1 at 730nm(IR) cant remember benefits of IR, 1 at 380nm(UV). benefits of uv is like the benefits of homeopathic treatment. UV is dangerous for plants at HIGH amounts. in low amounts plants detect the UV and as a defense mechanism produce more crystal formation on flowers and leafs to help distort (prizm effect) the UV wavelength bombarding them. this is the most visually impressive thing that has made me stick w leds. as in pics i'm one of those where talking about something is risky enough but showing physical evidence (pics) is outa my league. IM NOT HERE TRYING TO PUSH PRODUCTS ON PEOPLE but out of the three brands i have experimented with i decided on the blackstars due to the quality to price factor. if i had the money to blow i wouldnt mind the solaro sunclone to try but i wouldnt take there word on a 6x6 coverage area for maximun yield. i can get 4 blackstar 240's for cheaper and REALLY cover a 6x6 area

I got you. So have you done a full grown with these lights? Do they do good on the final days of budding? Do you know what the view angle of the LED's that they use? Maybe that is why that light will only do a 2x2 area. I do know that the fixture itself of the Solaro Sun Clone is 2 foot by 2 foot and the semi opto-conductors have like a 170 degree view angle. So maybe that is why they get a larger foot print???? I do know my buddy that is using a Sun Clone right know is doing 6 plants under 1 light. The outer plants are doing good except for the outer part facing away from the light. So if he was to do lets say 2 or 3 lights in a 10x10 room we think it will do awsome. Especially if we put them on light movers. Also do you know what brand of LED's that blackstar uses? 1w or 3 w???

 

[recreationaluse]

i have done 1 full grow (on second right now )(and only use for flowering stage) with this light i had no problems whatsoever besides nitrogen def towards end. this is odd because i am used to suffering magnesium def and sometimes manganese def also and have stopped suffering these under led lighting (will let you know of results this time around but once again no problems yet). i have followed same nute feeding schedules as always humboldt 3 part but i begin feeding at week 5 sometimes 6 and i begin at flower week1 feeding schedule always doing 1/2 recommended dosages. the led angles are 60 and 120. leds are supposed to be cree. a competitor claims that blackstar leds do not say cree on them and therefore arent. after further research it was discovered that cree does not print there name on all products only very select few. as for this issue the light has worked as i have expected so imo who cares if they are cree or not. but they are supposed to be 2 and 3 watt leds. I BELIEVE the 425nm and the cree 12k white are the 3 watt chips while the rest are 2 watt. they claim a 3x3 with a 2x2 for optimal results. i mostly stay in the 2x2. with 170 degrees on the sunclone it should definitely cover a nice area. i wish blackstar had a product like that. after the research ive done brand doesnt matter its wavelengths, intensity, penetration, wattage draw, and finally most important price.

 

[Darth Fader]

GLH lights are legit. Irishboy runs those & I've got last yrs 180 model which is actually 240w in usage. I certainly wouldn't buy into any hype. Look for real results (grow journals) from independent growers. I haven't used mine for flower & not planning to, but Irishboy has. He has lots of journals across the internet.

 

[oldnug]

thanks oldnug for that link very interested in that product love the wavelengths specs

Likewise.. thanks for the post on blackstar LEDs. They do have unbeatable prices. But with only 6 wavelengths. I have narrowed my choices to either Blackstar or the Spectra LED brands. Irish Boy has done a grow with a 600w Spectra LED and it was awesome. What's more important.. 12 wavelengths or price? I guess if i can still grow quality with the Blackstar, i might as well save. What do you think?

 

[JJP53]

Dont count out the Magnums they got 1.25 gpw on a grow

 

[oldnug]

Dont count out the Magnums they got 1.25 gpw on a grow

that doesn't mean anything. Volume of space and number of plants plays an important role on how many gpw. What was the setup for that specific grow? And how does that compare to the Spectra LED and Blackstar? But I will look into the magnum more.. thanks for the reminder.

 

[recreationaluse]

Likewise.. thanks for the post on blackstar LEDs. They do have unbeatable prices. But with only 6 wavelengths. I have narrowed my choices to either Blackstar or the Spectra LED brands. Irish Boy has done a grow with a 600w Spectra LED and it was awesome. What's more important.. 12 wavelengths or price? I guess if i can still grow quality with the Blackstar, i might as well save. What do you think?

hey oldnug i have seen and heard about spectra models but have always found difficulties getting specs on wavelengths. i have followed some of irishboys forums and while some accuse of him of insider marketing he still does post good undisputable evidence on the products which is what we are interested in can u please find me specs as im always looking for the net best thing

 

[oldnug]

spectra 290


I think i'm going to go with 2 blackstar 240w for my 4x4 tent. Even though its half the wavelengths as the spectra, i can get 2 blackstar 240watters and still save >$100. Plus i'm not sure if the other wavelengths are optimal for growth. i have seen more growth with 1 wavelength red at 630nm than other color wavelengths. And plus Blackstars 290 is 3w chips, just like the spectra. I think the 6-band will suffice.

 

[oldnug]

wait.. why not full spectrum CFLs. Here is a 200w full spectrum 2700k (flowering) bulb for $80. There is no LED on the market that provides every wavelength.
http://1000bulbs.com/product/8376/FC200-35872.html

 

[recreationaluse]

wait.. why not full spectrum CFLs. Here is a 200w full spectrum 2700k (flowering) bulb for $80. There is no LED on the market that provides every wavelength.
http://1000bulbs.com/product/8376/FC200-35872.html

thanks for the link i still cant find actual wavelengths specs on their website but i have emailed them. as soon as i hear back i will post. as in full spec cfls i have done research on them and only downfall is when you are running full spectrum the lights energy emitted must be spread amongst all the spectrums available which goes back to the whole usable lumens / par vs. unusable. so like HID lighting alot of energy is being wasted. this is why im awaiting info on spectra units. I like the idea of twice the spectrums but if they are using oranges, green, or too deep of a far red while research shows that plants do use these at VERY VERY LOW amounts it doesnt justify for me to waste energy on something that will give you single digit percentage increases. the only time i went against everything that i was taught was when i found out the blackstars use a uv led. the theory of plants producing more crystal formation to distort uv is becoming more of a law in my end of the world. if the spectras use these my interest in the unit may compel me to buy one and give all 11 or 12 of there wavelengths a try

 

[SSC]

thanks for the link i still cant find actual wavelengths specs on their website but i have emailed them. as soon as i hear back i will post. as in full spec cfls i have done research on them and only downfall is when you are running full spectrum the lights energy emitted must be spread amongst all the spectrums available which goes back to the whole usable lumens / par vs. unusable. so like HID lighting alot of energy is being wasted. this is why im awaiting info on spectra units. I like the idea of twice the spectrums but if they are using oranges, green, or too deep of a far red while research shows that plants do use these at VERY VERY LOW amounts it doesnt justify for me to waste energy on something that will give you single digit percentage increases. the only time i went against everything that i was taught was when i found out the blackstars use a uv led. the theory of plants producing more crystal formation to distort uv is becoming more of a law in my end of the world. if the spectras use these my interest in the unit may compel me to buy one and give all 11 or 12 of there wavelengths a try

I do see the point you are trying to make. But can I say one thing? What is the point of having a LED light if it is trying to mimic a HID light with all those wasted wavelengths? I also have done alot of research on lights and what plants really need for good growth. I dont know if you saw this but this is from that Sun Clone website of a study done from Osram (the brand of LED's they use)
This does coinside with other info I have found on plant grow!!

 

[SSC]

By the way, I think that Blackstar light sounds good because of the price but I do know one thing I have learned through out the years. "You get what you pay for" So with that said, I just cant see the quality of the light and that it REALLY works that good if it is priced one of the cheapest ones out there? I guess I just look at it in a different view. But hey, if does do good then GREAT but then my next question would be how long will the light last before I would have to buy another?? I am not looking for just a good LED light, I am loooking for a GREAT light!!

 

[recreationaluse]

By the way, I think that Blackstar light sounds good because of the price but I do know one thing I have learned through out the years. "You get what you pay for" So with that said, I just cant see the quality of the light and that it REALLY works that good if it is priced one of the cheapest ones out there? I guess I just look at it in a different view. But hey, if does do good then GREAT but then my next question would be how long will the light last before I would have to buy another?? I am not looking for just a good LED light, I am loooking for a GREAT light!!

i hear ya. about "getting what you pay for". blackstar and spectra are not too far off in price (dont go by name or model # GO BY THE WATTAGE DRAWS) and you will actually see very similarity in price/watt w/ the exception of the high watt models(spectra is a little more) before i used blackstar i experimented with a chinese triband (what a waste), followed by htgs 120 watt ( actually works if you keep short (lst) plant).this is the unit that made me a believer in led technology.then a funny thing happened. i have a friend that bought a couple of used 90 watt blackstar ufo's. i remember the expression i had when we first turned them on. i couldnt believe how 45 leds rated at 90 CAPABLE watts could be so much brighter than a panel with 120 leds rated at 120 capable watts. couple of weeks later i made the leap and purchased what i consider to be my first true led. the blackstar 240. however rest assure had my buddy bought a couple of spectras, well, i would have bought the spectras as well, as im sure the higher watt leds is whats making the biggest differences. Also before i purchased i was hesitant due to the uv led. but after seeing a noticable difference in crystal formation on an all too familiar plant, i was sold on uv in small amounts... KEEP IN MIND THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN HIGHER THC%. but im anxious to try a white family like maybe SS white russian or ak47 and do comparison side by side with hps. right now im seeing a difference on seedisms blz bud fem.

 

[Slips]

I might try and make a 600watt all red panel and use some t5 HO veg bulbs on the sides ... and a few reptile uvb lights ... so 20,000 660nm red lums
3 watt 100 lum leds

On a side not it's almost getting competitive in price if you use all red;
600 watt hps 90,000 lums x usable red = aprox 18,000 red lums


reptile floro for uvb to create cbds

HO floro 6500k for rest of spectrum

"How the Sunlight Effects cannabis plant Growth
200 - 280 nm UVC ultraviolet range which is extremely harmful to cannabis plants because it is highly toxic.
280 - 315 nm Includes harmful UVB ultraviolet light which causes cannabis plants colors to fade.
315 - 380 nm Range of UVA ultraviolet light which is neither harmful nor beneficial to cannabis plant growth.
380 - 400 nm Start of visible light spectrum. Process of chlorophyll absorption begins. UV protected plastics ideally block out any light below this range.
400 - 520 nm This range includes violet, blue, and green bands. Peak absorption by chlorophyll occurs, and a strong influence on photosynthesis. (promotes vegetative growth)
520 - 610 nm This range includes the green, yellow, and orange bands and has less absorption by pigments.
610 - 720 nm This is the red band. Large amount of absorption by chlorophyll occurs, and most significant influence on photosynthesis. (promotes flowering and budding)
720 - 1000 nm There is little absorption by chlorophyll here. Flowering and germination is influenced. At the high end of the band is infrared, which is heat.
1000+ nm "

 

[SSC]

Just got off the phone with my buddy that is using the Solaro Sun clone. He will be sending me new pics in a couple of days then I will post them. He said they are looking extremly good still and really starting to crystalize! He says they will be done in about 2 weeks. He did confirm that his grow area is 6x6 with 6 plants . His room is 10x10. So based on that you should only need 2 or 3 of these lights! So I was thinking of that blackstar. I think recrationaluse said his light does a 2x2 or 3x3 ft area? So in a 10x10 ft room would that mean you need anywhere from 8-10 lights? So if that is true then I would lean towards the Sun Clone because upfront cost would be somewhere about the same and my total amp draw would be way less. That is the main reason why I want to go with LED's. Coverage, operation cost, no heat, last a long time and total yield along with quality! Well based on what my buddy is saying and his pics, I am getting really excited. Plus this is all going to be perfect timing with summer heat coming up for me and my next cycle will be ready in about 3-4 weeks!! Has anybody else tried one of these Solaro Sun Clone?

 

[Slips]

Here is a link to the opto led's by themselves


So far they don't seem cost effective ... for 30-40% more lums while putting out half the watts

also


How many 24x24 lights would I need for a 10x10 grow room
Depending on how many plants and what type you are growing, we have seen that it would take 4-6 lights in a 10x10 room.
http://improvedled.com/faq

so for 6 (I take it you want as many leds as possible as more lums matter as much as spectrum.) that would be 6 x 1300 or $7,800 or basically the same cost as 24 air cooled 1ks hps's...

I would get 6 of those black-stars if your set on led ...

 

[SSC]

Here is a link to the opto led's by themselves


So far they don't seem cost effective ... for 30-40% more lums while putting out half the watts

also


How many 24x24 lights would I need for a 10x10 grow room
Depending on how many plants and what type you are growing, we have seen that it would take 4-6 lights in a 10x10 room.
http://improvedled.com/faq

so for 6 (I take it you want as many leds as possible as more lums matter as much as spectrum.) that would be 6 x 1300 or $7,800 or basically the same cost as 24 air cooled 1ks hps's...

I would get 6 of those black-stars if your set on led ...

What brand are those Semi opto-conductors? They r not Osram are they? I believe those Osram ones are deep red at 656 nm? I know that place says 4-6 lights for a 10x10 room but they do say depending on what your growing. Based on what my buddy did, he is growing SD, he is thinking no more then 3 lights. Maybe just 2 on light movers? By the way, whats lums? If your talking about lumens then that would be the wrong term when your talking about LED's. Plus plants dont care about lumens. They want the correct wavelength!

 

[SSC]

On another thought, I dont think having that UV in that light would be good. The reason being is that the plant is wasting energy in fighting off the UV since it does not like it. So you want all energy of the plant to go to the flowers and not anything else! Thats what will get you good quality buds. Crystals will form without UV present as long as it is getting the right wavelength of light and nuts.