Upgrading lights, trying to decide between HPS and LED

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Hey guys, so I'm making a pretty small perpetual SoG box (more like Pond of Green!)

Dimensions: 2' x 1.5' x 6'
Flower Chamber height: ~4'

Current lighting: 150w HPS + 2x 125w CFLs.

I grew a Scrogged Northern Lights in a similar sized box (same exact thing except only 3' high) with that current light setup and yielded almost 2oz, so I was pretty happy with that, but not sure how well the 150w HPS will penetrate a SoG

SO! I decided I will eventually upgrade my lights. I have 2 basic options:

1) Get a 400w HPS with a dimmable ballast, knock it down to ~250w HPS. With this option I will probably need to upgrade my exhaust fan.
2) Go LED with supplemental CFLs (still unsure of what to get. Been looking at the Area 51 RW-150, possibly the Intelligent-Gro 270w or even the Mars II 400w (kinda iffy on this one). Any other suggestions would be wonderful. The benefit of this is I probably won't have to upgrade my exhaust. Less heat, I can sleep better at night.

Exhaust is currently about 200CFM (Soler & Palau TD-125)

Wanted to get your guys opinions.

This will be a soil grow, Northern Lights mom. My ideal perpetual yield would be 1oz per month. I figure if I take a clone every 2 weeks, if each clone yields just half an oz I will be golden. Still not sure if 4 or 6 plants would fit best. I had planned on using 16oz solo cups or something similar (16oz bottle wrapped in lightproof tape)

Here is a photo of my box so far (cardboard will not be in there, that is just temporary. I will essentially be lining it with Panda film):

(the light in the bottom chamber is 4x 26w CFLs for the mother plant, and on the right is a little cloning mister I made, I could take 3 clones at a time when it's finished, but will most likely end up just doing 1 clones every x weeks. Not sure I will even go the mister route yet, but it seems to have great results)

What would you guys recommend? I am sort of leaning toward LEDs, mostly because of heat, I won't have to upgrade my exhaust (hopefully), possibly using less energy, etc. And honestly, I just think it seems so cool! This is all strictly for personal use and as a hobby, so I think the hobby side of using LEDs is pretty awesome as well.

My fears with a 250w HPS are the heat in such a small space, energy consumption (I know I will probably be using relatively similar wattages on LEDs, though) but most of all the fire hazard that comes with it, especially in a small box? Air cooled hoods will not fit in there, unless I exhaust out the side which I would prefer not to do, but if necessary I will.

I was originally going to exhaust right out the top, and stack some empty cardboard boxes over it with the backs cut out, making it nice and stealthy. I think I can find a way to hide the side exhaust if I went that route, though.

I've been flopping back and forth between the two options for a while now and just can't make up my mind! Any help or suggestions would be highly appreciated!

Kind rambling now, sorry about that.

Thanks so much guys, you are all awesome.

 

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Also, if you guys think taking clones and just doing SCROG grows will yield better results I will go that way. Plus if I do that I think the LEDs would have more effect. If I do that, though, I know my current light setup will only give me about 2oz.. so taking veg time into account I am unsure I can hit my 1oz/month goal. Maybe if I upgraded lights, though!

Basically, what do you guys think is my best course of action to use this box to yield the equivalent of 1oz per month?

Thanks so much

 

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Oooh, this Onyx Bloom looks really nice, too!

 

[cannaisok]

get a 210w cdm, this will be maximum, or get a much cheaper 150w cdm, would be much better than hps! bysen 210w led is very good too and cost only about 250dollar

 

[sub]

Interesting, I haven't heard much anything about CDM bulbs before. Looks like they run cooler than HPS as well which is a huge plus. Will they fit in the same ballasts as an HPS?

I think for my size growbox, though, I am leaning toward LED. I will check out the Bysen 210w. I've been leaning toward getting an Area 51 RW-75, been reading a lot of good things about them. I've been wondering if I get one of those, that if I get another one down the road I could probably put two of them in that box, at slight angles, sort of like this: / \ (obviously less extreme angles) - not sure if that would be better or to just get the RW-150.. only problem with that is the distance from the plants needs to be at least 18", where the 75 I believe is 12"

So many choices, so many decisions!

 

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Also curious as to using those Cree LED bulbs they have at Home Depot vs CFLs for supplemental lighting

 

[nephrosis]

i used one and am going to use one on my next grow. building my room right now im tryin to figure out what i want to add to my room...

 

[OIBI]

Interesting, I haven't heard much anything about CDM bulbs before. Looks like they run cooler than HPS as well which is a huge plus. Will they fit in the same ballasts as an HPS?

I think for my size growbox, though, I am leaning toward LED. I will check out the Bysen 210w. I've been leaning toward getting an Area 51 RW-75, been reading a lot of good things about them. I've been wondering if I get one of those, that if I get another one down the road I could probably put two of them in that box, at slight angles, sort of like this: / \ (obviously less extreme angles) - not sure if that would be better or to just get the RW-150.. only problem with that is the distance from the plants needs to be at least 18", where the 75 I believe is 12"

So many choices, so many decisions!

The CDM bulbs require a special low frequency ballast and most require a 240v line in order to operate. Which means adding a transformer into the mix... not the most viable option for some, but very good performers if you can make it work.

For production lamps Area-51, onyx, or hans panels all seem to have decent to good results and cult like followings. The RW-150, or a pair of 75's would be perfect for your situation if you could get them.

If you're feeling adventurous you could take the DIY route and make some downlights with CPU coolers and COB's like the bridgelux vero or CREE CXA series. It's really easy and simple now days. Rough calculations work out to about $250 with some room to upgrade. Probably the most cost effective solution.

There have been quite a few people on other forums who have used CREE led bulbs from home depot. Results seem slightly better than CFL on average. They are more efficient, run cooler, and last longer, but cost significantly more.

Lots of options to explore. Good luck.

 

[habeeb]

here's some options:

built easy: CDM lower watt on a dimmer
built tougher : DIY cree CXA chips

down and dirty: store bought led ( way less performance then the above )



max performance with that I've seen / my experience.. the CXA is gonna kill that setup if done proper, the CDM will give good results also, all what you like / your style. hell even try in some cree bulbs for kicks if you get bored..

your box, your build, have fun

 

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Thanks, guys! I think I am going to go for an Area 51 RW-75 and possibly 4 of those 90w 3000k Cree floodlights (18w consumption). Maybe even some 2700k CFLs strewn about if they will fit.
This way I will also not have to upgrade my exhaust fan which is a huge plus for me. Can't wait to get this baby going!

Maybe down the road at some point I will DIY my own LED lights, but I am not prepared to get into that just yet, I've got too much on my plate right now, but thank you for that advice, I surely will try that eventually!