Lighting 2100k? One big 250w vs many 23w? Seeking input.

[pop22]

Someone mentioned magnetic ballast. IMO they are old dead technology that wastes power, hell they shouldn't even sell them anymore! You can buy a digital ballast for the about the same money. Also I'd put true watts of LED against true watts of HID any day.

 

[cowboy]

I currently have a 315w CDM and a 300w chinese LED panel in my main tent, in my small tent I have an 80w Hans panel and a 4x55w PL-L fixture. My micro has a "150w" cob LED.

I started with 250w CFLs, but switched to a 240w Blackstar LED, the Blackstar was slightly better than the CFL, but it had loud fans and took ages to flower with. I then switched to 250w retro white CMH, I then realized I should've gone the HID route to begin with as my results were significantly improved in all areas.

[edit] I know I've only tried several LED panels, but the white LEDs are definitely important.

Yeh i noticed with my mars II 1200 it was... white. And bright. And my cheaper ebay one was very significantly more red. It was a bad attempt at a flowering light but it worked OK. You have a good point. That's the problem is you wanna turn these bad boys on before you buy em you know! Lol, bring your lumen counter with you.

Whatever you do anthro, im in for the ride, and if you make fat chunky tasty treats towards the bottom of your plant because of cfl side lighting then right on!

 

[cowboy]

Actually, results with various lights is a matter of technique needed for each type light. I've seen some outstanding grows with CFL. T5 also. Heck, we have people that grow POUNDS of weed with T5's. Small scale, CFLs work ok especially on a tight budget, when you can by a 4 pack of 23 watt ( 100 watt equivalent ) for less than $10.00 if you shop around. And now there is a new option for people, 9-15 watt Red/Blue LED spotlights. ( You can get various spectrum of white also ). I built a DIY growlight from the for a small cab. It works great! But you know what? Right now, a have a couple of CFLs mixed in with them because I too believe the "white" light is important. I'm in the process of buying some Warm White 15 watt LED spotlights and will do a grow with just these white lights to see what the results will be.

For sure, that's what I meant. Some guys, well probably most guys grow nicer plants then me with cfls. lol. Just that technique of always moving and adjusting them and rigging it. You know what, I feel like doing I micro cfl grow. Just because of this conversation. I never have. So I shouldn't really be talking. I just have read. ALOT.

I'm very pleased with my sunblaster t5 4 foot x 7 bulb. Monster. This is where my knowledge ends. T5. I know nothing about penetration or technique.

 

[pop22]

For sure, that's what I meant. Some guys, well probably most guys grow nicer plants then me with cfls. lol. Just that technique of always moving and adjusting them and rigging it. You know what, I feel like doing I micro cfl grow. Just because of this conversation. I never have. So I shouldn't really be talking. I just have read. ALOT.

I'm very pleased with my sunblaster t5 4 foot x 7 bulb. Monster. This is where my knowledge ends. T5. I know nothing about penetration or technique.

Thats ok, we're all here to learn! :Sharing One: