A Match Made in Heaven: DWC and LEDs

[PetFlora]

It was tough deciding where to put this thread for the most views. In the end I want more HID/HPS/MH growers who are having problems with root rot and other diseases caused by water temps being too warm. All of which are virtually non-existent under LEDs. Why?

Is it because LEDs are not as good at penetrating? To answer that, the first thing to learn is not all LEDs are created equal. In fact, far from it.

The reason why so many cling to HID lighting is because of the fact that, even today, many leds are being sold as the better lighting choice because the green spectrum is not needed. THIS IS PURE BS.

Unfortunately, growers buy into it without questioning the fact that white light has been used successfully for growing cannabis for many decades. Buyer beware!

Adding to the problem is the fact that Red and Blue only (Blurple) LEDs are super cheap compared to highly engineered (and more expensive) LEDs that are white, or primarily white based. Heliospectra's www provides a great explanation.

OK, now back to the subject at hand- The primary reason for transitioning is heat, which is the primary cause of root (and therefor plant) problems for hydro growers.

The reason is simple, HID lights radiate heat, whereas LEDs do not.

More later

 

[caljim]

I don't grow dwc now but it was the sound of bubbling buckets and the alure of hydroponics that started me down the path I follow today. It was changing out frozen water bottles in the middle of the night and the realization that a chiller was needed to cool my reservoir from the heat of the hid lighting that drove me away.

Curiously watchingfrom the wings.

 

[Yeah its me]

I use 5 gallon rootspas and use h202 to combat the heat of the reservoir. I use 1/2 what the bottle recommends. I am nervous about putting frozen bottles in the reservoir itself. Am thinking of modding my setup to do rdwc or a bigger res to support a chiller. Before I do a costly lighting upgrade I want to get the most out of the lights I have now. Are there any other recommendations you have for HID lighting res temps? Im in week 5 of veg and will flower in the next week or so to avoid the heat of July in my area before I make my changes for next run

 

[PetFlora]

This a DIY Bubble Bath I developed that is great for seedlings-veg

It requires few nutes, but due to direct light exposure it will develop algae, but that takes ~ 7 days, so no big deal to clean and refill with fresh nutes

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