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Why do people choose LED over HID?

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Why do people choose LED over HID?

rolex1994 Feb 2, 2026 75 Replies 4,861 Views
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rolex1994

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#21
amneziaHaze said:
Spectrum is really important in growing. Thats the main reason hps is inferior to led.
Planta have a range that they will use for growing and a range that they will not and hps produces a lot of the other one.
Well she uses it but it sends a single your inside a shadow just stretch for now until
Click to expand...
 
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amneziaHaze

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#22
My heater is allsoo rated at 600w can i use it to grow bud? It glows red watts is watts
 
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#23
I dont think hps is inferior to led.. I think its grow weed easy . Com. Did several test grows watt for watt on mh/hps vs LED. Where they would grow like 4 plants for each system each time MH and HPS. Comes out about 4 or 5 ounces more at dry harvest weight..
 
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#24
amneziaHaze said:
My heater is allsoo rated at 600w can i use it to grow bud? It glows red watts is watts
Click to expand...
No you cant... wattage is what raises your electricity bill... the spectrum has nothing to do with ur electricity bill.... the whole point of this is to ask why pay $400 or so for 600w LED system when you can pay $100 for a 600w HPS/MH system..

When the HPS will only raise your bill up a small amount due to the extra wattage that the ballast is pulling to run the bulb..

Not to mention several studies both modern and past has shown side by side results wat for wat hps vs led.


I am saying its justified for some one with 50 lights to go led. Simply cause that 20% extra is gonna turn to big money real quick.. but for some one with a few lights. That extra 20% wattage that the hps light is crawling is virtually gonna add.up to nothing
 
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#25
rolex1994 said:
No you cant... wattage is what raises your electricity bill... the spectrum has nothing to do with ur electricity bill.... the whole point of this is to ask why pay $400 or so for 600w LED system when you can pay $100 for a 600w HPS/MH system..

When the HPS will only raise your bill up a small amount due to the extra wattage that the ballast is pulling to run the bulb..

Not to mention several studies both modern and past has shown side by side results wat for wat hps vs led.


I am saying its justified for some one with 50 lights to go led. Simply cause that 20% extra is gonna turn to big money real quick.. but for some one with a few lights. That extra 20% wattage that the hps light is crawling is virtually gonna add.up to nothing
Click to expand...
Do you understand how current (amps), voltage, resistance (ohms) and power(wattage) works??
 
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#26
amneziaHaze said:
My heater is allsoo rated at 600w can i use it to grow bud? It glows red watts is watts
Click to expand...
Im assuming tge spectrum a light creates is the direct relation to electrical parameters... let's pretend this, we will use easy numbers.. let's say a 400w MH light can create 6000k ..... it can create that value if its pulling its full amperage.. but if you had resistance to it (dimmer switch) and dim.it down to 50%. Then its most likely gonna produce 3000k, and pull half the current.. but current is not what raises your electricity bill... its wattage.. the cousin of amperage.. voltage multiple of amperage.... so the more.current you pull a stronger force the higher your wattage... while the less current you pull a weaker force is less wattage.
I have 600w induction motor, can it keep your house cool??

Yes it can actually. It can also open your garage door, run your refrigerator, start your car battery.. it just depends on what mechanical system it is inergrated to
 
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amneziaHaze

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#27
rolex1994 said:
No you cant... wattage is what raises your electricity bill... the spectrum has nothing to do with ur electricity bill.... the whole point of this is to ask why pay $400 or so for 600w LED system when you can pay $100 for a 600w HPS/MH system..

When the HPS will only raise your bill up a small amount due to the extra wattage that the ballast is pulling to run the bulb..

Not to mention several studies both modern and past has shown side by side results wat for wat hps vs led.


I am saying its justified for some one with 50 lights to go led. Simply cause that 20% extra is gonna turn to big money real quick.. but for some one with a few lights. That extra 20% wattage that the hps light is crawling is virtually gonna add.up to nothing
Click to expand...
Led has 50 000h use time with minimal change to quality hps has what 5000 add regular bulb changes. Oh it adds up.And there is a yield difference that adds up as well.then there is heat cuts your growing time to only winter that adds up oh you will use air condition guess what double wattage now adds up.... Yea i know
 
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rolex1994

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#28
amneziaHaze said:
Led has 50 000h use time with minimal change to quality hps has what 5000 add regular bulb changes. Oh it adds up.And there is a yield difference that adds up as well.then there is heat cuts your growing time to only winter that adds up oh you will use air condition guess what double wattage now adds up.... Yea i know
Click to expand...
You use 6 in inline fan.. that uses 35w in an air cooled hood/ reflector
 
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amneziaHaze

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#29
O yea then there is height difference usable grow space
 
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#30
rolex1994 said:
You use 6 in inline fan.. that uses 35w in an air cooled hood/ reflector
Click to expand...
Use more watts for same yields adds up

As i said in op 600 900g vs 450 750.and gram is still 10$
 
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#31
amneziaHaze said:
Use more watts for same yields adds up

As i said in op 600 900g vs 450 750.and gram is still 10$
Click to expand...
I dont think people from all over the world all got togeather and said let's rigg an experiment.. again. There is countless side by side grows(Cleary different tents) watt for watt over led and hps.. some studies has countless pics all through the growth other studies just has documentation.. each study shows HID will allways produce more bud.. not a crazy amount more but a decent amount more.. its something about the heat and infrared waves that stimulate the plants metabolism, and something about how the HPS light that is produced some how penetrates the canopy... just google and see the results for your self. Or if your into theory get a better understanding on the actual case study. Don't follow just 1 source. Read independently operated studies, read commerical.studies
 
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amneziaHaze

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#32
rolex1994 said:
I dont think people from all over the world all got togeather and said let's rigg an experiment.. again. There is countless side by side grows(Cleary different tents) watt for watt over led and hps.. some studies has countless pics all through the growth other studies just has documentation.. each study shows HID will allways produce more bud.. not a crazy amount more but a decent amount more.. its something about the heat and infrared waves that stimulate the plants metabolism, and something about how the HPS light that is produced some how penetrates the canopy... just google and see the results for your self. Or if your into theory get a better understanding on the actual case study. Don't follow just 1 source. Read independently operated studies, read commerical.studies
Click to expand...
This is just ai i am at work but i will give you links since you cant find any
Research Links

LED vs. HID: Choosing the Best Grow Lights for Growing Indoors
This article discusses the differences in lighting technology and how it affects cannabis growth, focusing on metrics like Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) and spectral output. It highlights LED's advantages in temperature management and light distribution.
Read More Here

What Grows Better Weed - LED or HPS?
This source states that LEDs can yield 50% to 300% more efficiently than HPS lamps. It emphasizes that controlled tests show that cannabinoid levels in cannabis grown under LED are often the same or better than with HPS.
Read More Here

Are HPS Grow Lights Better Than LED Grow Lights to Grow Cannabis?
This article discusses the pros and cons of both types of lighting, pointing out that while LEDs are generally more efficient and customizable, HPS lights have their own historical reliability.
Read More Here

Saving Energy With LED vs. HID Grow Lights
This guide breaks down how LED lights outperform HID in terms of energy efficiency and plant yield while also providing insights into their operation and benefits.
Read More Here

Advantage of using old-school HPS/MH over LED
A forum discussion that weighs the longstanding familiarity and initial cost factors of HPS lights against the benefits of modern LED technology.
Read More Here

Key Comparisons
Efficiency

LEDs tend to be more energy-efficient and provide more usable light per watt than HIDs. They often allow growers to achieve similar or superior yields while using lower wattage.

Heat Management

LEDs generate less heat, reducing the need for additional cooling systems, while HIDs produce more heat and require careful temperature management.

Adjustability

LED lights typically allow for spectrum adjustments to optimize growth phases (vegetative vs. flowering), whereas HIDs have more fixed outputs.

Cost and Lifespan

HIDs are usually cheaper upfront but may incur higher long-term costs due to electricity and bulb replacement. LEDs have a higher initial cost but lower operational costs over time.

These resources and insights should provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of LED and HID lighting for cannabis cultivation. If you have more specific queries or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
 
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rolex1994

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#33
Your right about the life span LED is superior. But that's if everything is perfect.. there is some popular youtubers who dose seed to harvest i think Canadiangrower where mars hydro sponsored them and sent them new lights to use in there seed to harvest, and a few occasions some LED burned out.. so what happens now? You can throw the light away which is a complete waste of money then, u can tear into a complex configuration and desolder the burned led and solder a new one. Or you can keep it running. Since the LED is wired in parallel circuits the current is flowed evenly to each light it was designed for , now that 3 or 4 LED is burnt out its gonna put more.stress on the other LED due to resistance rating
 
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rolex1994

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#34
rolex1994 said:
Your right about the life span LED is superior. But that's if everything is perfect.. there is some popular youtubers who dose seed to harvest i think Canadiangrower where mars hydro sponsored them and sent them new lights to use in there seed to harvest, and a few occasions some LED burned out.. so what happens now? You can throw the light away which is a complete waste of money then, u can tear into a complex configuration and desolder the burned led and solder a new one. Or you can keep it running. Since the LED is wired in parallel circuits the current is flowed evenly to each light it was designed for , now that 3 or 4 LED is burnt out its gonna put more.stress on the other LED due to resistance rating
Click to expand...
Versus just unscrew a $25 light bulb and swapping
 
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rolex1994

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#35
amneziaHaze said:
This is just ai i am at work but i will give you links since you cant find any
Research Links

LED vs. HID: Choosing the Best Grow Lights for Growing Indoors
This article discusses the differences in lighting technology and how it affects cannabis growth, focusing on metrics like Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) and spectral output. It highlights LED's advantages in temperature management and light distribution.
Read More Here

What Grows Better Weed - LED or HPS?
This source states that LEDs can yield 50% to 300% more efficiently than HPS lamps. It emphasizes that controlled tests show that cannabinoid levels in cannabis grown under LED are often the same or better than with HPS.
Read More Here

Are HPS Grow Lights Better Than LED Grow Lights to Grow Cannabis?
This article discusses the pros and cons of both types of lighting, pointing out that while LEDs are generally more efficient and customizable, HPS lights have their own historical reliability.
Read More Here

Saving Energy With LED vs. HID Grow Lights
This guide breaks down how LED lights outperform HID in terms of energy efficiency and plant yield while also providing insights into their operation and benefits.
Read More Here

Advantage of using old-school HPS/MH over LED
A forum discussion that weighs the longstanding familiarity and initial cost factors of HPS lights against the benefits of modern LED technology.
Read More Here

Key Comparisons
Efficiency

LEDs tend to be more energy-efficient and provide more usable light per watt than HIDs. They often allow growers to achieve similar or superior yields while using lower wattage.

Heat Management

LEDs generate less heat, reducing the need for additional cooling systems, while HIDs produce more heat and require careful temperature management.

Adjustability

LED lights typically allow for spectrum adjustments to optimize growth phases (vegetative vs. flowering), whereas HIDs have more fixed outputs.

Cost and Lifespan

HIDs are usually cheaper upfront but may incur higher long-term costs due to electricity and bulb replacement. LEDs have a higher initial cost but lower operational costs over time.

These resources and insights should provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of LED and HID lighting for cannabis cultivation. If you have more specific queries or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
Click to expand...
That's true it can efficiently yield higher.. agin 20% extra wattage increase on HID die to added ballast( virtually a dollar or 2 increase a month for SMALL GORWERS)

It is indeed a fixed spectrum. Hence MH/HPS systems....( MH veg, HPS flower) you can control there K values throw the ballast which has a dimmer


???

Again, why dont you look at other studies with harvest amount posted.
 
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rolex1994

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#36
rolex1994 said:
That's true it can efficiently yield higher.. agin 20% extra wattage increase on HID die to added ballast( virtually a dollar or 2 increase a month for SMALL GORWERS)

It is indeed a fixed spectrum. Hence MH/HPS systems....( MH veg, HPS flower) you can control there K values throw the ballast which has a dimmer


???

Again, why dont you look at other studies with harvest amount posted.
Click to expand...
Why dont you research bud amounts. You know finished harvests.... do u understand what efficiently means???. Im not taking about getting the luxury to turn a switch verus screwing a bulb in to change veg to flower... im not taking about saving $3 a month cause of the 20% ballast surge.. im taking about making bud. Finished products
 
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rolex1994

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#37
rolex1994 said:
Why dont you research bud amounts. You know finished harvests.... do u understand what efficiently means???. Im not taking about getting the luxury to turn a switch verus screwing a bulb in to change veg to flower... im not taking about saving $3 a month cause of the 20% ballast surge.. im taking about making bud. Finished products
Click to expand...

rolex1994 said:
Why dont you research bud amounts. You know finished harvests.... do u understand what efficiently means???. Im not taking about getting the luxury to turn a switch verus screwing a bulb in to change veg to flower... im not taking about saving $3 a month cause of the 20% ballast surge.. im taking about making bud. Finished products
Click to expand...
Compare the dry harvest weight....
 
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amneziaHaze

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#38
rolex1994 said:
That's true it can efficiently yield higher.. agin 20% extra wattage increase on HID die to added ballast( virtually a dollar or 2 increase a month for SMALL GORWERS)

It is indeed a fixed spectrum. Hence MH/HPS systems....( MH veg, HPS flower) you can control there K values throw the ballast which has a dimmer


???

Again, why dont you look at other studies with harvest amount posted.
Click to expand...
I will i am at work you will get links.you can provide your links in meantime.
But basic logic if 2 lamps use same amount of energy but one makes room 40c other 20c how much energy is used to create light and how much to create heat....
 
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rolex1994

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#39
amneziaHaze said:
I will i am at work you will get links.you can provide your links in meantime.
But basic logic if 2 lamps use same amount of energy but one makes room 40c other 20c how much energy is used to create light and how much to create heat....
Click to expand...
Dude, im not.getting into heat sinks, diodes and semi conductors.. LED is made.up of.so many electronic components..
 
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rolex1994

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#40
rolex1994 said:
Dude, im not.getting into heat sinks, diodes and semi conductors.. LED is made.up of.so many electronic components..
Click to expand...
HID is direct AC current... LED in the united states is connected to 120v AC power supply, then the current travels to a device that not only steps converts AC to DC, but takes the 120v and distribute it evenly in 3 or 5 v DC sectors to each led light that is most likely connected to a 330 ohms resistor
 
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