fluorescent grow lights

[clusty]

I have a 200W UFO LED thingy, but i hate to death the colour. Makes my apartment look like a whorehouse. Next lights need to be also human friendly.

[rick84]

lol I agree, my light does get on my nerves, but the resulss are worth it. Can always get a small hydroponic grow tent (dark room)

---------- Post added at 12:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------

it sounds like then that you are sided on the t-5. instead of a 6500k or 2700k for veg/bloom. Get a 5000k or 4500k bulbs. More even reds and blues complimented with white light should be adequate for both phases. Just adjust hrs of light and add more wattage during flower. 1- 2' t-5 HO=5000fc this is ample.

[clusty]

Plan was for a 6400k and a 2700k bulb. If I need more light I will add another 6400.

[rick84]

consider the purchase of a light meter if there is doubt of ample fc

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by rick84

when it comes to led's don't worry about the lumen or foot candle. Worry about wattage.

Just remember that many wattage claims for LED growlight fixtures are untrue.

[clusty]

Guys from Build My LED Custom LED Lights for DIY Horticulture Aquarium Hobby Lighting , look like the real deal. However 200$ is a bit steep

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by clusty

Guys from Build My LED Custom LED Lights for DIY Horticulture Aquarium Hobby Lighting , look like the real deal. However 200$ is a bit steep

Yes, one of the few vendors that seems to state accurate wattage values. It must be hard for them to compete against many of the other vendors who exaggerate their wattage claims by a factor of 3 - 5 or even more.

[rick84]

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

Just remember that many wattage claims for LED growlight fixtures are untrue.

Tis true but any quality led grow light will specify actual usage. Most will say their 200w led is the same as a 600watt HPS and this is a give away to run the other direction. Only buy leds lights that have bridglux or cree led diodes in them, all others are crap. Most importantly if you want a light worth anything get it from a reputable dealer, beter yet the manufacture.

[naoki]

Rick, your LED rig looks great. Which one is it? And what's the coverage area? I will need higher power LEDs soon, hopefully something I can use for small Cattleya. I'm considering 2x Hans Panel to cover 4x2' area: LED growlight

Like David said, wattage isn't everything with LED. Some makers advertise maximum wattage which the LED can handle, but they don't drive LEDs at a lower current (for the longevity of LED, and fine-tune the spectra). For example, so-called 3W LED may be actually consuming around 1.6W. Additionally, people seem to get good growth with good combination of colors and design, and Hans Panel seems to be pretty good with only 56 actual W.

I also prefer red-blue type of LEDs because the cost of electricity becomes pretty high once you have a fair number of orchids. But recently, grow light makers have been using white + Red (Area 51 LED GROW LIGHTS | Cree LED Grow Lights | American Made LED Grow Lights | Best LED Grow Lights is a popular one).

I also agree that grow tent is a pretty nice upgrade for people in North (fine control of humidity).

[clusty]

Nasty thing to say ( from an ecolo standpoint), but electricity is soo cheap here that I find it as an unjustified reason for the extra cost.

I got one of these Amazon.com: BloomBoss UFO LED Grow Light: Robert Chapman: Patio, Lawn & Garden . Plants (non-orchids) seem to grow and flower ok. I would hate adding another growlight with such an ugly colour.