First Timer - question about lights

[simonH]

Hey All!

 

Just ordered some seeds - since its my first time, i decided to get some autoflowering ones, and hopefully will mix it up as time goes by.

 

I've been looking at lighting, and this stage I plan to grow one or two plants in a small room. So I'm thinking in terms of lighting 400watts, or even 250 would be OK.

 

I was thinking of getting a light setup that consisted of a MH for germinating and growing, and a HPS for flowering. Ideally would get both at once, but no $$$ at the moment.

 

Alternatively, I was looking into a 180watt LED, that should be a lot more efficient, like this: 

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2012-Compact-HIGH-POWER-180W-3w-LED-RED-BLUE-Hydroponics-Grow-Plant-Light-Lamp-/110855748661?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item19cf847c35&_uhb=1#ht_7688wt_1141

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HIGH-POWER-UFO-180W-3W-LED-Triband-Hydroponics-Grow-Plant-Light-RED-BLUE-ORANGE-/110855749302?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item19cf847eb6&_uhb=1

 

These would also mean less heat.

 

Am I on the right track here, or completely off? I'm leaning towards LED if it will work well.

 

Cheers

 

[pisspotgrower]

No they do not work well, the 400 watter or even the 250 watter will yield u sooooo much more buds.

Gota think how much ya spending on MJ at the moment than realise that after u shell out the bux for ya first grow u have already saved.

[Vape]

the sun is the best light.. lets say we rate it  10.. well 1000w HID(mh/hps) would rate a 8or9... and your 400w would get a 5 and your led would get a 2... 

 

Cannabis loves the full sun. I really hope this helps.. Enjoy your Grow!! Have fun with ya autos..

 

I was in the same situation not so long ago, and i went with 600w HID in a cooltube.. just sayin..

 

Im no expert, this is just my opinion based on my experience.

 

Vape for life

 

Peace.  

[Naycha]

I just use  a HPS for the whole grow, if you want to use both it's a good idea to get a digital ballast as they can run both and perform better than magnetic as well.

 

Naycha

[Badseed77]

Hey All!

 

Just ordered some seeds - since its my first time, i decided to get some autoflowering ones,

 

 Hey Simon welcome.

 Go HID and stay away from LED . They do not compete despite the great sales pitchs leds have

What made you decide autoflowering would be a good way to go since you have not grown before ?  I have never understood the logic behind it .

 

Take it easy

[pisspotgrower]

 Hey Simon welcome.

 Go HID and stay away from LED . They do not compete despite the great sales pitchs leds have

What made you decide autoflowering would be a good way to go since you have not grown before ?  I have never understood the logic behind it .

 

Take it easy

 

I belive a first time grower may favour the auto because he may be overwhelmed with veg times, height, when to flip, hours of light needed.. But i guess thats what were here 4

[simonH]

Autoflowering just seems easier, lets me concentrate on getting the soil and light and nutrition right. Once thats done, I can go and try again, get a timer and so forth.

 

So even the 180 watt LEDs are no good for one plant?

 

So will a 400w HID HPS will be good enough? How about supplementing with a small LED?

[pisspotgrower]

u asked about the LED and got ya answers, cant say much more than they crap....let em go

 

Veg is fine for a 180 w CFL but fucked for flower

 

Put it this way 1 plant under a 180 cfl with some veg time will grow buds....but if u pull more than 2 ounces off it ill be suprised and the buds will be light n fluffy.

 Same plant same veg time under a 400 watter ull get 5 ( 10 plus if u know what ya doing ) but ain for 5.

 

Now ask ya self......do i wana grow a plant for 12 weeks n get fuck all...or do i wana grow a plant n get enough to keep me going till next harves so i never have to buy again....

 

U cheep out on ya grow its just not worth doing

[simonH]

Excellents thanks bro.

 

CFL is fluoro yeah? From what I understand fluro is OK for buds, but not much else as no power? If it can work, can I just buy tubes and ballasts etc from bunnings and build my own? Or better off buying something like this? It has multiple colours for different growth stages

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FLUORESCENT-CFL-4-GROW-LIGHT-FULL-COMBO-KIT-WITH-ALUMINUM-REFLECTOR-AND-LED-/251153625352?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item3a79ec3108&_uhb=1#ht_3895wt_1251

 

or this:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reflector-CFL-Fluorescent-Energy-Saving-Plant-Lights-2700K-6400K-Grow-Lamp-Kit-/180884675252?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item2a1d911ab4&_uhb=1#ht_4525wt_1251

 

 

Otherwise Im thinking 400watt HID with HPS and MH, so I can change the light when flowering starts:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Magnetic-Ballast-Reflector-Yoyo-Timer-2-Light-Grow-Kit-Complete-Hydroponic-400W-/180871252143?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item2a1cc448af&_uhb=1#ht_4710wt_1251

 

Or just keep it simple and go HPS.

 

I'll stay away from LED, thanks.

[Badseed77]

 Just from looking at diarys on here alot of people seem to struggle with autos ( a few guys have then sussed right out, i would check out their diary's ! ) .

  If shit aint dialed in from day 1 it seems you end up with very small pathetic little 30 gram yielding  thing.

At least with regular photo-period plants you can veg as long as it takes to out work feeding , lighting , ventilation   etc.. Always seems like a race with autos to me .

 

I would try not to flower under a cfl man , 250 hps would give a much better return Vs power used .