Off the shelf retail store screw-in LED and CFL bulb comparisons

[PCBuds]

... Would running a lower wattage series of off the shelf LEDs have any benefit over the larger wattage ones especially in the quality department? Or would you simply get less yield? Simmer vs boil.... I'm thinking about all the burnt tips I'm seeing...

If you were to use more bulbs of lower the wattage, you would spread the light out better and you could run them closer to the plant because they aren't as hot or as bright.

 

[piramidon]

I've landed here being an ex CFLgrower just turned to SIL, learning as I go.
There is a huge jump with quite a few gaps between those two lightings.
First major lesson I've learned is that lower wattage well spred is a lot more helpful than stronger bulbs, it's a lot more manageable and gives you better control over the grow this being applied to the beginners in the SIL growing like myself.
I've started with a pannel of 104W (8x13w) for an 2.5sqft area and landed in a war zone: unknown multiple reactions and defficiencies, twisting, twirling, wilting and a lot of other odd manifestations of the plants. Not to mention the colour pallet "decorating" the grow making me feel inept and totally incompetent.
At some point I was'n't even sure what the hell is happening to the plants - are they under or over fed? Under or over watered? Spoiler: both!
Long story short, when I replaced the 13w bulbs with 8.5w I started to have control and feel normal again.
Combined with proper ventilation including improved inner air circulation and stricter humidity control (usually higher rh with lights on and lower when off), extra (permanent) CO2 supplement and a huge supply of epsom salts.
For some people is really easy to do it, for me they were a few months of torment, but those who did it (and still do it well) inspired me to go on and search for the right ratio of everything.
'Cause not every grower is created equal and nor the plants.
You have to (re)consider every aspect of the grow as you know it - not each strain is reacting the same to these lights and they all eat and drink a lot more asking for more attention.
I use to be a bit sloppy but the SILs are unforgiven with the lazy. In other words they made a better grower.
This is my perception and personal experience with CFL-SIL switch.
I'll keep haunting the Micro Grow section (and stalk some members) and maybe tomorrow I'll know a couple more tricks than today.
You might also disregard all this crap 'cause I'm smoked out ...

 

[TexasTea]

Yeah, so the Epsom Salts for the magnesium? I've noticed some issues with these LEDs...

 

[PCBuds]

Yeah, so the Epsom Salts for the magnesium? I've noticed some issues with these LEDs...

Yes, and you'll need calcium too.

They go hand in hand together.

This is what I use...

 

[PCBuds]

This is my current plant.

I have forty four 6.8 Watt strips.
(the 4 ceiling strips are 2 footers and count as two each)

I just turned on all the side lights because my plant wouldn't stretch with all the lights on.

The leaf stems have all turned purple from increasing the light ten fold.

I've managed to grow a monster plant in a small space, but it took me almost 3 years to figure it out.

Sils are pretty much the same but have more concentrated light.

I commend piramidon for figuring all that out in a few months.
(even though he is all smoked out. lol.)

Cheers

 

[PCBuds]

I remember posting a question on the infirmary asking if I had light bleaching from too much light.

My seedling had pale blotchy looking leaves.

I had five 800 lumen Walmart bulbs (globes removed) about 8" above my plant.

One member said that there is no such thing as too much light.
He was an HID grower.



You can definitely give too much light to a plant with LED lighting.


I raised my 5 SILs to 21" and she was fine.

 

[piramidon]

...I commend piramidon for figuring all that out in a few months.
(even though he is all smoked out. lol.)...

Thanks for the confidence but did'n't figur'em all out, just catched a glimpse of it and got out of ropes so far.
Some people navigate by gps, other by compas, stars or tree moss.
You Bud go for the lumens while I look for the sil watts, bulbs - plant top distance is also a decisive factor, you're using lateral light to fatten the bud while I use it to keep plants short.
We just pick up our "tools" of convenience to our own taste and necessities and for that I'm thankful, so another shout out to Blynx for this thread and for the other members who contributed with helpful posts, hints and advice.

 

[f-e]

Yes, and you'll need calcium too.

They go hand in hand together.

This is what I use...

Careful with GH. What I used had over twice the N listed. Their answer 'we list the minimum, that is the law' Which I find unworkable.

 

[PCBuds]

Careful with GH. What I used had over twice the N listed. Their answer 'we list the minimum, that is the law' Which I find unworkable.

OK

I found this chart so I know what to look for.

 

[PCBuds]

You Bud go for the lumens while I look for the sil watts.

My oldschool 800 lumen Walmart bulbs are 10 Watts, but newer 10 Watt bulbs are pushing 1,600 lumens.

I like to look at Sils in terms of their lumens.
It helps to make a more apple to apple comparison.

 

[Sunshineinabag]

This is my current plant.

I have forty four 6.8 Watt strips.
(the 4 ceiling strips are 2 footers and count as two each)

I just turned on all the side lights because my plant wouldn't stretch with all the lights on.





The leaf stems have all turned purple from increasing the light ten fold.






I've managed to grow a monster plant in a small space, but it took me almost 3 years to figure it out.

Sils are pretty much the same but have more concentrated light.

I commend piramidon for figuring all that out in a few months.
(even though he is all smoked out. lol.)

Cheers

Look at u go ....I love it

 

[PCBuds]

Look at u go ....I love it

Thanks Sunshine.

 

[PCBuds]

.... I'm thinking about all the burnt tips I'm seeing...

You can give too much LED light to a plant without burning it.

These are my fan leaves that are completely overwhelmed with light and are being light bleached, but they aren't burnt.

I intend to roast them off my plant. Lol


I've found that the plant sheds its fan leaves as it adjusts to the new light level, then grows smaller leaves to replace them that are accustomed to the bright light.


I don't believe that HID lighting can cause light bleaching without also burning the leaves.

​​​​​​​

 

[Sampas92]

piramidon if you use 4000k bulbs you may find the girls healthier and not pushing themselves so hard, they grow beautifully in my opinion..
i say this because when you mix different spectrums between the bulbs you can see some parts of the plant suffer and pthers dont because of the spectrum..at least i find that in my experience..
also since i saw a grower daying that he add a bit of epsom salts in every watering and it worked for him, i started doing the same and never had major concerns of calmag, i had some but nothing major and i guess it was mostly because im a newb

Good luck with your grows bro

Peace

 

[f-e]

Good observation Sampas. As an individual light source, the 4000K LED can theoretically be turned up the most.

This is due to the fairly flat output curve. Red and Blue output is fairly even, so both will hit saturation about the same time. At which, the green output will be quite high too.

I'm intent on changing to 4000K.

 

[piramidon]

piramidon if you use 4000k bulbs you may find the girls healthier and not pushing themselves so hard...
Good luck with your grows bro

Peace

Hello Sampas92! That's what I'm actually using, the 4000k and I picked up the tip from here (micro grows).
To my shame I can't remember which member inspired me, I think iy was the guy who flowered partially a plant in one room while vegging it in the other. One of my heroes.
Same to you, brother.
l.e.
That guy is Scrog Monster, oh I've learned so much from his thread.

 

[NIKT]

Modification of cheap A ++ e27 LSC 17 W lamps.
by user MarryJanek

Estimated efficiency before modification 2.09 umol / J. 13 PLN each is about 3.3 $.

https://forum.haszysz.com/threads/pomoc-przy-projekcie-boxa-głownie-wentylacja.128401/page-2

 

[NIKT]

Another interesting thing. Cheap method of adding UVA. Also from a commercial source. Philips fly-catching fluorescent lamps. Sketch of a chandelier based on LSC with very high power to surfaces. Oversized ensuring over 800 umol / m2 / s. With the addition of UVA. No implementation yet.

Overkill UVA additive.

two per 1 m2 are completely sufficient: 2 hours of irradiation per day.


cost of building 2 luminaires for UVA lamps with electronic power supply and aquarium reflectors about PLN 100 => less than $ 25.

https://forum.haszysz.com/threads/pomiary-żarówkoledów-i-nie-tylko.126211/page-55

commercial inspection. A panel with UVA emission and 400nm wavelength that does not catch on uv anymore

commercial led panel spectrum simulation, based on advertising data and data for LEDs similar to those used in.

 

[NIKT]

Sorry, I can't edit the code _ the code does not work _ the pictures without resizing.

 

[exploziv]

Nice info and projects man!