Mr.Bill
Member
I totally understand what the test is for, I was just stoned and discussing what my brain was thinking, and I totally agree that a closed system would be what you would need to optimize the lights. Led girls new system is sure to be better as the lights are much more aimed than previous generations, and have no doubt that they will perform better than before. Much props by the way ledgirlsure quite right. but for now we're more interested in what the lights will do when the other variables are in a good range. As far as heaters etc, led's would probably be best for grows where temp is an issue normally....
and eventually one could add enough led's to compensate. Also very little actual air exchange is probably needed...
Again I understand that for some the led system would be ideal, much like you who's temps are always around the mid 70's year round, so maybe it would be perfect for you. As for a space heater, sleepys for example has two settings 1300-1500w. So when it's on it is using 1300watts on the low setting, but much like anybody who has ever used a space heater knows that once the temp reaches the setting it clicks on and off, but when it's on it's using the juice.The need for the heater will depend on the ambient temperature of the grow room, of course. My NYC apartment is always hot this time of year (I don't control the heat and leave the window open all winter!), so I would not need a heater. Also, unless he has the heater on high, it is probably using less than 1000 watts.
Yah sure a well insulated room, closed system full of led fixtures will probably keep the temps within range for 180+ plants, but then your running into other issues. For example you would need the larger fixture at $1200 a pop and for 180+ plants assuming they are larger than lollipopped plants your going to need several fixtures, many fixtures in fact, then your looking at a start up cost of many thousands of dollars. Sure you'll save in the long run, but do you have 10 grand per 8 and 1/2 fixtures(and you'll probably need more than 8/9 fixtures), well you might but most don't. And also the space needed for 180 plants is larger than 4x4 where one large fixture would fit, now if you would need a space heater for a 4x4 fixture it would make sense that in a 12x12 or a 15x15 room needed for the 180 plants even with more lights is going to take longer to heat up because your still sitting at the same ratio of size to fixture, thus running into the same issue, the need for heat, and more of it.Yes, and with a well insulated room we can easily keep 180+ plants at 75-80 degrees with one small heater even when the temp drops below zero. That would make for a pretty low watt to plant ratio with the LED lights.
So sure you can throw larger numbers at me, the ratios however will be the same and no I am not knocking leds.
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O.k. first sorry Sleepy for running a topic that's probably been discussed in the led thread before(I'm sure), in your thread full of beautiful plants.
Secondly I don't feel much like continuing to discuss my fore mentioned topics in here as A. it will take away from your grow B. Will end up starting an argument and resentment between parties(it's civil now but I've been here quite the while and seen it happen over less and happen over and over)and that's the last thing I want to start up with anybody and of course not in your thread Sleepy
So I would like to thank everybody who responded to my stoned ramblings by staying civil(everybody who knows me knows I'm never itching for an argument and surely not trying to instigate one) . I would also like to say that the points made by my responders are valid and respected, at the very least by me. A good healthy discussion is always a good thing IMO, the questioning leads to discussion, the discussion leads to understanding and understanding leads to progress, and in the end that's what we are all very interested in, especially on this topic... Progress. As long as the discussion stays civil and educated which in our underground culture often goes awry and quickly. I was just trying to point out that in a comparison you have to compare every dimension of the situation(which is what I thought we are so excited about), otherwise you have a one dimensional view of what your comparing, which looks great when you look at it head on but when you look at it from the side it's paper thin. Not that I'm saying LED's are paper thin in comparison because we all know that's not the case.
In conclusion I do believe that led fixtures are the way of the future, and eventually will benefit us all, I was just seeing an issue for comparison that hadn't been fully addressed(here). Another issue that hasn't been addressed (here) is the sound produced, without the need for large extraction fans the dB levels produced will be much lower, thus making the home closet grows much more stealth. Anyway here I am talking more about it. Moving on, I would also like to remind everyone that I am excited about acquiring an led fixture, and do plan to do so in the near if not very near future, mostly due to LEDGirls upgrade in technology with the better light directionality and more appropriate nm values associated with their purpose. So now I will go back to drooling over Sleepy's beautiful plants and stopping by to add my kudos to him, which are much deserved, and to LEDGirl to whom which kudos are also much deserved. Much Love folks.