Indoor 2nd opinion on 'knockoff' Blackstar. Help is appreciated.

[The Squid]

Hey guys. So I've been using this 240 watt LED panel from HTG. It looks just like the Blackstar(not why I bought it)

If you've seen my grow log you'll know that it does indeed sprout seeds(including cannabis) and I have grow basil fully with this light. It works, but I'm beginning to think that it isn't enough for a full fledged cannabis grow. Such as not quite the right spectrums, or light directions, not real sure. I've been thinking this and check this out:

Last night I went to Walmart just to browse the lights for some supplemental Flouros or T5s if I could find them. I found these.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-America-24-Fluorescent-Grow-Light-Fixture/16879945

Yes I know they aren't T5s. They had ok reviews. You'd have to have about ten to get all the way through your grow probably. 75 watts each. 4200k spectrum which isn't 6400k(obviously) but HID are 4200k.

So: I bought two at $10.97 each. 150 watts of flouro. I got home and added them to my tent. That was after midnight. Woke up today, barely 12 hours later and there are obvious differences in growth on my two newly sprouted AFs as well as the basil and chives that are also in my tent. Like more so than I have been seeing with this LED. And that was just 12 hours. So this is definitely leading me to believe that this LED is not efficient enough. Any takers? Opinions? Thoughts? I just wanted some back up even though it seems pretty plain to me. Get new lights. Which I can exchange these for other lights that HTG sells so no problem there, no waste of money or anything just time I guess. If it does turn out like this at least we'll know that this light is no bueno. That's a plus.

Thanks a ton for taking the time to read this.

 

[namvet]

Don't waste your money those small fixtures from walmart,lumen output is way to low.I couldnt figure out if your going with cfl or led.If your going with cfl's go to home depot or lowes and get the spiral lights.Get the biggest one you can afford.You will also need some power strips ,socket to bulb adapters.check out our forum on growing with cfl's for more info.

 

[SeNiOr-FuN-gHi]

well IMO if youre using the blackstar 240 knockoff then its probably also made with flowering in mind, not vegetative growth, so it doesnt surprise me that the lights you got made a big difference, but with that being said i dont think the lights you got here will be enough, i just checked out the link you posted and these are the specs

Lights of America 24" Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture:

• Quick on/off switch
• 5' plug-in cord set
• 75W of incandescent equivalent output using only 17W of energy
• Save 78 percent on your utility bills
• Color: 4200K
• Lumens: 1093
• Dimensions: 2.5"W x 2"D x 28"H
• Life: 10,000 hours

those sneaky bastards always try and trick people into thinking their products are better than they are. it says its the equivalent of 75w of indcandescent using only 17w. so its really only 34w of flourescent light. personally i think you should upgrade to larger tubes, or go with a couple cfls.. personally i think youre better off with a few rather than one big one, cuz when your plant gets bigger you can reposition lights under to make sure all areas get evenly lit.

 

[The Squid]

Oh no no. I wasn't saying I would be using these WM lights for the grow. I basically got them for a test. They will either stay in the tent for extra light or more so be hanging above my grow table in my sun room for my herbs and veggies. But when I saw that those little lights made a difference over this $300 LED then that got me thinking. I am exchanging the LED for T5s asap. Just gotta get the order going. Today I hope, HTG is being quite helpful. Thanks guys!