Grow Room Is a 75W LED UFO light too big for a PC grow?

[jessicawabbit]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to get into this micro growing caper and I'm trying to understand what is the most suitable LED for a PC grow.

The PC box i am looking at converting is approximately 600mm high, 230mm wide and 550mm deep. I don’t need to grow large quantities as I only smoke occasionally and would only require about 30 – 50grams per year. The plan is to grow one or two autos each grow, preferably two at a time to allow me to sample different strains. This is more for the fun of the grow and the project than anything else.

I am located in Australia and completed an apprenticeship when I was younger as a Nurseryman and worked in that industry for 15 years managing a large commercial container production nursery, however, I no longer work in that industry. I’ve also got a Diploma in Horticulture so I understand the basics of growing plants but I have zero hydroponics experience and little knowledge of LEDS. I plan to grow in potting mix and will leave the hydroponics for some time in the future.

Anyways, I first considered getting the 30W CultureLux that is used by lowbudge after reading about his grow but the seller is some distance from Australia and I would pay a considerable freight charge. I am now considering a 75W UFO (25 x 3W) from China which cost $78.00 delivered from Ebay, i realise this will have a reduced quality specification but i can buy two of these units for the price of one of the 30W CultureLux. This UFO measures 176mm x 60mm so it will fit nicely into the case.

My question is, has anyone used a similar light in a confined space or PC grow box and do you think I would have sufficient space without causing bleaching damage if I concentrate on LST?

All feedback appreciated.

 

[Red eyed c]

Hi mate :smokebuds: I have seen micro grows using LEDs both good & bad,I guess it all depends on the LED that's being used. Most of the newer LEDs run 3w chips for better penetration,but this also means the grower needs a bit of distance between the light & canopy to avoid bleaching. An option for you could be an LED with 1w chips,its less intense and will allow you to have it closer to the canopy.High 5 another option would be cfl but the come with the added problem of heat.
With you being in oz china is probably your best bet for LEDs,you could drop these 2 companies an email and ask them if they have anything to suit your grow space.some of our memebers have bought from these companies & have been happy with the product.
http://www.cidly.com/Apollo.html
http://www.bsled.com/
http://www.eshinesystems.com/

 

[jessicawabbit]

Thanks Red Eyed,

I've made up my mind it must be LED so CFL is off the list. This is mostly because of the summer temperatures here where i live.

There are 50W LED UFO's available and they are 2w from memory so maybe they are a better option. However, i'm looking for the best bang for buck price wise and best LED light without causing any burning issues in the confined space of the PC grow box. Also, i don't fully understand the difference between all of these LED lights and how to compare one against the other which is a problem for me.

I'm reading and learning more each day but still somewhat confused.........

 

[Red eyed c]

Yeah there's a lot to take in with LEDs and so many companies out there lol iv edited a couple of links into my previous post above and possibly another option would be having the 3w chip LEDs but with a wide lens angle.typically 90 degrees is used and is considered the best for coverage & penetration,but if you could get one with a 120 degree lens angle it wouldn't be as intense & could work. :smokebuds: fire off emails to Chinese manufactures telling them what you want and see if they can offer you anything to suit.

 

[Red eyed c]

Here are a couple of blackstar leds iv found that could be suitable.they have a good growing spectrum and we have a good few growers using the blackstars.
http://www.lighthousehydro.com/led-grow-lights/90-watt-led-grow-light-uv.html
http://www.lighthousehydro.com/led-grow-lights/50-watt-led-grow-light-uv.html

 

[jessicawabbit]

Brilliant, thats a great help, thanks for those links.

I see the newer lights have the 6 bands, do you know if this provides an overall better grow when compared to less bands?

 

[Red eyed c]

I'd say you need 5-6 bands for optimum growth mate. Iv used a 180w blackstar in the past running that 6 band specrum & my current Grownorthern LED uses 5. These spectrums will outperform units that run a 2 band red and blue only. :smokebuds:

 

[jessicawabbit]

I've been gathering my equipment for ny PC Box and have purchased a timer, temperature and humidity sensor, 2 x 120mm fans, electrical shrink tube, etc.

I'm getting a free PC box today which used to be a server tower from a guy at work so i'll see if thats suitable, if not i'll rat it for the fans and other parts. I've go a few spare PC fans in a box in the shed with a bunch of other computer wires, switches, screws, etc so should be able to get some bits and pieces from there.

Still thinking about the LED light which is doing my head in but i'll probably go with the cheap UFO 50W or 75W as a start and see how things go.

Waiting for my seeds to arrive which i ordered on 26/6/2013................hope they are OK.

Coming together slowly, can't rush a good thing.

 

[allen]

good luck mate! I'm interested to see how you get on as I'm gonna be building a similar set up at the end of august. I don't smoke a huge amount and if i could be self sufficient from a PC case I'd be over the moon. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna start with a CFL set up but am keen for either a culturelux m30 or a 50 ufo in future. Be wary of the fans in the ufo's though, my friend has one and its louder than his washing machine!

 

[lederrida]

I am currently building my box, and I have chosen 50W/2W lamp. First of all because it doesnt spend electricity much. And PC hase very little space, it doesnt need too much light. :dance2: