R
Ricky
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Good enough for me!
I am going to snag two of them up as well, 1 this March and one in April ( not rich, have to spread my purchases out)
Old Reviews Tips for purchasing LED and Tents
- Thread starter akito
- Start date
Good enough for me!
I am going to snag two of them up as well, 1 this March and one in April ( not rich, have to spread my purchases out)
M
mattinuk3
Guest
I should have a blackstar fanboy sig... haha In the last year we've switched over our 4x8, three 4x4s, and the veg closet to led.
In my 4x4 I'm running a 500 watt blackstar over two 2x3 flood and drain tables. This light is built for 12 square foot area, and could probably do 16 or 20 with a light mover. Its penetrating so well that I'm giving some thought to growing out some landrace or near land race sativas in there and get some 6 footers. Not to mention the resin production increase from the UV! Not too sure if the buds make more resin (i'd assume so) but the leaves and stems are covered much more heavily on well known strains from HPS and outdoor. With a set of bubble bags and half a brain, this translates into much more hash from every harvest. I would venture out on a limb and say that some leaves are 10% THC or more
In the 4x8, we're running two 500s, but it's filled to the corners and they're not quite cutting it. Going to add a third, and since they only draw 66% of their wattage, three 500s comes out to 1000 watts power draw for 32 square feet of growing. With two lights, we've got the tent about 80% covered, so light 3 will be so intense that we'll have to raise them and/or buy a biiiig bottle of CaMg+.
In one 4x4 and the closet we are running a 240 veg models for our mothers and clones. They blow away T5s for growth and are so much less fiddly because you have a foot and a half useful range above the canopy rather than 2 inches. This translates into hardly ever having to mess with the height. The 240 veg is probably a solid 10 or maybe even 12 square feet of coverage because the plants don't require as much intensity in veg and it has a better spread.
And finally in the last 4x4 we have two 240 flowering models. These aren't quite cutting it for this area, so we're either thinking of buying a third or maybe trying the 135 watt circle.
In my 4x4 I'm running a 500 watt blackstar over two 2x3 flood and drain tables. This light is built for 12 square foot area, and could probably do 16 or 20 with a light mover. Its penetrating so well that I'm giving some thought to growing out some landrace or near land race sativas in there and get some 6 footers. Not to mention the resin production increase from the UV! Not too sure if the buds make more resin (i'd assume so) but the leaves and stems are covered much more heavily on well known strains from HPS and outdoor. With a set of bubble bags and half a brain, this translates into much more hash from every harvest. I would venture out on a limb and say that some leaves are 10% THC or more
In the 4x8, we're running two 500s, but it's filled to the corners and they're not quite cutting it. Going to add a third, and since they only draw 66% of their wattage, three 500s comes out to 1000 watts power draw for 32 square feet of growing. With two lights, we've got the tent about 80% covered, so light 3 will be so intense that we'll have to raise them and/or buy a biiiig bottle of CaMg+.
In one 4x4 and the closet we are running a 240 veg models for our mothers and clones. They blow away T5s for growth and are so much less fiddly because you have a foot and a half useful range above the canopy rather than 2 inches. This translates into hardly ever having to mess with the height. The 240 veg is probably a solid 10 or maybe even 12 square feet of coverage because the plants don't require as much intensity in veg and it has a better spread.
And finally in the last 4x4 we have two 240 flowering models. These aren't quite cutting it for this area, so we're either thinking of buying a third or maybe trying the 135 watt circle.
You sound like me! I have one tent running backstars and another running my 800 watt Solarstorm. Love both products.
D
dewski
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Anyone running the HydroponicsHut LEDs? I have been considering the Blackstar or HydroponicsHut for a while now, but cant find much info on how high the lower wattage models should be over the canopy. Space is an issue, so I dont want something that will need over a foot of clearance.
maybe you should look into t5's, they do good all the way and can be placed alot closer then led
Muddy
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Good to see you again, how have you been? Of the two, I'd recommend the Blackstar. But the clearance might be an issue with any LED. Generally speaking they should be about 18 - 24" above the plants in veg and 12 - 16" in flowering. You might be better off with CFLs or T5s where you can keep the lights a lot closer to the plants.
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dewski
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Good to see your still around Muddy!
I currently use CFLs and get good results for what it is. I have a slightly new setup that allowed me some extra height. I have been told the Blackstar UFOs aren't powerful enough to need more than about 8-12" above the canopy since they still use the 2 watt chips. At the plants tallest point, I should be able to manage 8-12" of space between the light and canopy. I think 1 UFO with supplemental CFLs or 2 UFOs would be good for my area with the extra height. Something like 2.5'x2.5'x 5'. I try to keep the ladies around 30" if I can to stay small and pull about 3 zips per plant.
I currently use CFLs and get good results for what it is. I have a slightly new setup that allowed me some extra height. I have been told the Blackstar UFOs aren't powerful enough to need more than about 8-12" above the canopy since they still use the 2 watt chips. At the plants tallest point, I should be able to manage 8-12" of space between the light and canopy. I think 1 UFO with supplemental CFLs or 2 UFOs would be good for my area with the extra height. Something like 2.5'x2.5'x 5'. I try to keep the ladies around 30" if I can to stay small and pull about 3 zips per plant.
Muddy
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Oh ya, I'm still here and kicking!
I've never been a fan of the UFOs. Okay for 1 or 2 plants but don't like the round light pattern in a square grow area. One of the 240 watters would cover that area nicely if you can deal with the height requirements. I made the mistake on my first LED grow of having the light too close. Got nice fat buds but the plants stayed too short. Need to be able to raise it up high, and keep raising it as they veg, to get good node spacing. Once they stop vegging 8 - 12" would probably be fine.
I've never been a fan of the UFOs. Okay for 1 or 2 plants but don't like the round light pattern in a square grow area. One of the 240 watters would cover that area nicely if you can deal with the height requirements. I made the mistake on my first LED grow of having the light too close. Got nice fat buds but the plants stayed too short. Need to be able to raise it up high, and keep raising it as they veg, to get good node spacing. Once they stop vegging 8 - 12" would probably be fine.
D
dewski
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I will only be using it for flowering really. I prefer my CFL setup for the veg time. Has always done me good. I do wonder though, does the height needed from the canopy change between brands and actual LED wattage usage? I would imagine, a 90 watt unit with 2 watt LEDs could be closer than a 240 watt unit with 3 watt LEDs. Is that not so?
Muddy
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It's a combination of things. The size of the LEDs, watts, and the angle of the lenses. 120, 90 and 60 degree ones are being used, often in combination on different lights. What size space are you looking to light and how many plants will you be growing? Since you're vegging in a separate area the light height isn't as much of an issue. You'll just be wanting to fatten up your buds and the height won't be much of a problem if it's a small space.
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