New Grower question for LED growers, comparison to HID

[Kozminski]

I'm sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, if so just point me in that direction please...

I have some questions regarding growing with LED lights. I have never used them before, and was curious if people could share their experience with them in comparison to HID or CFL.
I know about the heat factor and that LEDs generally run a lot cooler, but my questions deal basically with just the quality of the grow, light penetration, spread, how large of plants can you grow with LEDs?

I have grown 4-5 foot tall plants with HIDs and still gotten decent light to the lower portions. And my HIDs can cover a decent size area, for example my 600w HID worked pretty well in my 4' x 4' x 6.5' tent. Would an equivalent wattage of LED give me the same coverage and height, light penetration that I'm used to? Or are LEDs closer to CFLs in that they need to be closer to plants and don't have as much spread? I really like a lot of sativa heavy strains, and some of those like to get tall.

I've also heard that LEDs have a "sweet spot" and that being outside this range is not as effective.

I don't have any money to invest in new lights at the moment, but was thinking sometime in the future I may want to give the LEDs a try for myself to answer these questions, but until then, any personal experiences or info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[robwars]

You're in the right section bro, just have a look around. You can grow amazing plants with LEDs. Look up some of Tangs grows. :smokebuds:

 

[Kozminski]

cool, thanks robwars.

I've been looking around and reading lots of stuff, and it seems like LEDs keep getting better and better. I was just curious how big can one go? Sometimes it's hard to tell the true scale of size in journal pics.

I'll probably always keep my HIDs in case I ever have a big grow again, but I would love to add some LED to the mix. When I can afford it I'll pick one up and see for myself. I see many people divided on this issue, but I try not to take sides in these things. Hell, I'll use both and stay neutral in the debate until I have my own evidence, lol. All methods that work are ok in my book.

Plus, saving on electricity and cooling is always good!

 

[Kozminski]

Damn, you were right, Tang has grown some 4 or 5 footers under LED.
Looks like I need to do some tech spec research to find out what to look for in a unit when it is finally time to buy

 

[briman]

TaNg does have a :gthumb:I am also using his Advanced Nutrients Feeding schedule on my Magnum grow. Dude knows his stuff!!!

 

[westlake]

Bysen X2 leds with 6 band spectrum ala hydrogrow. 3 led units totaling 610 watts actual draw.
2' x 4' grow tent 7' tall.
Aurora soil & nutes.
3 grows with the lights.
First grow- 2 clones, 3 gal bags. problems...mites, etc. Learning curve. Plants were bushy and about 30" tall.
Second grow- 2 Think different seeds, 20 liter airpots. More learning curve. Plants were 27" and 37" inches tall. Dry yield 5 oz.
Current grow- 2 Think Different seeds, 20 liter airpots. One low stressed into a bush, second plant was pruned to stimulate branch growth.
The grow is in the 6th week, (39 days) The bush is 22" tall. The topped plant is at 38". Both are still growing.
I estimate the final heights will be 2.5' - 3' tall on the bush and 3.5' - 4' tall on the other.

 

[DABaracuss]

I have only grown 3 foot tall or so with my GN light and had big huge buds all the way down..with led you are getting more usable light ..so 600w of led would be around 3 gn led and that would cover 3.5x3.5 each light ..If you put the 3 in a 4x4 lol would be smashing it! I have 2 in my dr90 I dont have the room to grow a plant taller then 4 foot cuz its like a foot or more with the pot already.iggy Hug:Go with Leds you see used here in many grows and ask peeps with the lights you research questions.

 

[Liontamer]

Jve been using a 275W BudBooster LED for a few years with great success, I have never used HID so can not make a comparison but I have used and still use HPS, specifically 400 or 600W SonT, they used to be my weapon of choice but I am now a real LED fan.
I would compare my 275W unit to a 600W HPS, I don't know the exact figures about light output etc but over the space of a grow they are comparable.
You are correct about the sweet spot, at about 1 metre up, the sweet spot is about a square metre, just outside that sweet spot the light output is perfect for seedlings and young plants, bringing them on gently before giving them the full intensity.
You ask about light quality etc, I think the best answer to all your questions lies in a grow journal.
I wish I knew how to post links, look in the seeds section of this forum, in Dutch Passion there is an epic grow journal, Think Different in DWC under LED.
Guy called Seymour Buds, even if you don't want to read all 50 pages (I have and would really recommend it) just look at the incredible monster of a plant he grew under just LED.
If you can afford one you will be amazed at the results.
Plus the plants just look so cool under LED.

 

[Kozminski]

thanks for the replies everyone! West & DAB, your input from personal experience regarding plant height has been very helpful. that sounds about the size i'll probably grow most plants.

I would compare my 275W unit to a 600W HPS, I don't know the exact figures about light output etc but over the space of a grow they are comparable.
You are correct about the sweet spot, at about 1 metre up, the sweet spot is about a square metre, just outside that sweet spot the light output is perfect for seedlings and young plants, bringing them on gently before giving them the full intensity.

and thanks Liontamer! this was exactly what I was looking for.
I was wanting to get an idea of rough equivalency between HPS/MH & LED, so that i know more about what i'm looking for when shopping/researching brands/models for various potential grow areas.

and ive seen Seymour's grow, and it is fantastic!


lol, i'm always behind the technology curve, in my house there is an Xbox (original, not 360) and a PS2, and those are 2 generations behind now. by the time i get some LEDs there will probably be something new and better that everyone's talking about. oh well, at least i finally got a smartphone.

thanks again everyone!