Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed Stock

Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

conradino23 said:
So you think LED would be better in your setup? Hmm I just checked a LED with UVA and UVB fixtures, cause I'm worried about flat spectrum indoor, but it'd run me $1,600, so not really for my budget right now.
Click to expand...

Need for UV still debated among LED mfrs. Some even have staff botanists who's opinions vary. Research goes both ways. The new Pacific Light Concepts COB that throws out 1100 PPFD goes for $800. Would likely be my choice for a COB light if I switched over. A guy like you who likes top quality won't be satisfied with anything but a top notch light....you'll figure a way to get one. :Namaste:
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Saw a podcast with Gromaus, dirt man dan and photon phantom and they all agreed that the uva from most led is plenty to grow plants with.
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Couple more pennies.

I would choose no added UVB chips, if given the choice, so I can see why the experts don't agree. I find healthier, more potent plants without the added LED UV chips. As you know, added resin does not equal added potency.

I've used, Twilight, Mars, Advanced, Timber, SmartGrow and and a couple others I'd have to try to recall. None of them are offer a better value proposition over HPS alone. When supplemented with spectrum from LED helper lights, it's best of both imo.

If I were to change over to LED completely, I'd go Cree specific COBs as are they are far more efficient than any other technology. Every portion of a watt not converted to light, will be heat. A Gavita 1k DE with brand new reflector and bulb will be mid-40% efficiency at it's best. COBs will run mid-60% to start, and more importantly it's distributed light that gets closer to your plants, so it's far less subject to inverse square losses. You can also swap new COBs into your fixtures, when the tech improves.

I cobbled together a small spreadsheet that will model popular heatsink profiles and calculate efficiency, wattages, PPFD, and thermal tolerances running passive and active cooling if you'd like to play with it. In the end, it would cost about 1000$ to COB a 4x4 area though. Timber has some options though that might be bit cheaper, but they aren't obviously the top bin chips.
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Damn I feel old.... Give me a 29$ 600 watt MH bulb for veg and a 50$ 1000 HPS to flower... Change once a year. These are the cheap bulbs. But if I ever do over,,,, I'd go with the double-ended fixtures HID. But still the whole setup here, can run under 500$,, tent and all..... Hell at the second-hand hydro store down the road,, I could get ya one for 300 with a great ballast and hood. I still use a magnetic ballast I've been using for 15 years now with not a problem one,,, knock on wood,,, It's backing up a newer dimmable that just took a crap. In the winter I brake out the 1500 watters. And they cost like 500 for ballast and bulb. Them suckers are bright,, but You can get them old heavy ass magnetic ballasts dirt cheap anywhere..

Now like I said before,, I'm a old dog that don't learn new tricks easily.... I haven't worked with LED's much. I still haven't flowered under one YET. But LED's and tents are a pretty good match. But if you have room overhead,, and can deal with afew extra BTU's coming outta the lights, I'd go with time-tested HID lights. Pro and Cons galore.

Just want ya to know,, I'm going to do a tester of that UD tonight. I kept 4-5 oz's of top buddage for stash and took the rest for budder.... But I waited for some cure time and took the tip of the biggest bud, rolled it and it will be the first thing I smoke tonight. Going smoke that and bust the top off a bottle of Single Barrle Jack tonight for my B-Day

I go thru alot of weed for budder in a year... Just about 80% of my outdoors goes in storage or the year. And the smoking weed comes from inside,,, mostly. It's fun being Father Nature. Plants get uninterrupted 16 hours sun or 12 in flower... Food and water on tap,, and they grow like a weed. And it's sure nice to be able to harvest when you say,, not Mother Nature. You'll enjoy it for sure...

Whatever ya do.... Keepem Green
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

conradino23 said:
So you think LED would be better in your setup? Hmm I just checked a LED with UVA and UVB fixtures, cause I'm worried about flat spectrum indoor, but it'd run me $1,600, so not really for my budget right now.
Click to expand...

You can build the most incredible arrays of LEDs by hacking retail off the shelf bulbs from most any hardware store

This is another person's, 20 9w store bought household bulbs in a 2x4 tent for 22.5w /sq ft. You want to take it up to 40 - 50 watts per square foot to see the method work really well.

20leds.jpg



LED Hardware Store Bulbs

Because these are LEDs very little heat and ventilation required and highly directional for good penetration.

This method is also very stealthy, you never go near a grow shop or order or ship anything

Because the bulbs have gotten so cheap I don't think there is a more effective way, especially for bonsi. $2 per bulb 9 watt x 20 = 180 watt array for $40 or 40 bulbs for 360 watt array for $80. You can even take them apart so much that you don't even require sockets, just join light array with wires.

The efficiency of this method is very good, people are getting a gram per watt.
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

I'd say figure out the rest of your environmental controls, as you choose lights.

I could not run my HPS in good temperatures without a basement or air conditioner for cold intake air + quality exhaust fan + ducting + carbon filter + air exhaust port through the walls + heater for winter + humidifier for winter + dehumidifier for summer + reverse osmosis.

If running LED means I can skip all the fan, carbon filter, ducting - and just have a tent in a spare room using house environmental temperature controls - then LED paid for itself and saves 30% on increased electricity every month.


I'm running dual 600W HPS because I already have them - Buying today, I'd go to DIY COBs (or maybe Quantum boards)

My test of 200W? of COB didn't produce as well as 600W of HPS. The useful light per COB watt is greater, but it still takes a lot of watts to grow good cannabis flowers.



Definitely get an electrician or someone who is comfortable install NEW dedicated electrical circuits and circuit breakers for growing. I run a pair of 4x6' (1.2 x 1.8 meters) grow areas and have two dedicated 30 amp-110v circuits just for those little grow areas (1 circuit for veg lights and environmental controls, 1 circuit for flowering lights and stereo.) 20 amp-110v circuits would be enough, but 30 amp circuits and outlets cost only a few dollars more and I have an extra margin of safety if all the equipment starts at the same time.

I believe 25, 16, and 10 AMP are italian standard sizes.
Two 16 AMP-220v would be a better choice than two or three 10 AMP.-220v

1000W at 220V is very close to 5 AMPS and might surge at startup to 5.5-6.0 AMPs. For safety, I would never plan on running more than 2/3 the amps on each circuit. Meaning 1000W takes up your entire 10AMP-220v circuit by itself, but two 1000W can fit on one 16AMP-220v.
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed

conradino23 said:
Yeah I just looked at CMHs, is there any advantage of using them over HPS?
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I found some numbers.

CMH has 18% better PAR factor, but HPS (1000w DE) has 22% better lumens per watt, so it's a wash. The CMH spectrum is virtually white - that's nice - but ... they cost quite a bit more than HPS.

1000 hps DE are still the best value.

How is this space laid out? Is 4 sqm the illuminated footprint or the total space?
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

I wanted to throw in my experience with LEDs, will say from the beginning that I bought the cheapest LED panel from China, and have to say that it's still going strong after 3 years. A great thing was the shipping, was shipped from EU so I didn't have to go to customs and explain what the pretty lights are for :laughtwo:. Just saying as a cheap alternative there's always China :Love:
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

As many lights as stars anymore.... I have to say this,,,, my house has a crawl space underneath it. I've been sucking a passive air intake since I been here.. No AC,, just pull cool air from under the floor,,, and exhaust warm to the attic.. Ambient temps went to 100 outside.... I surrived at a high of 90 drawing cool air from there... And I never had to even hook up the ductwork. Can't say whats right or wrong. But I think for something smaller,,, LED's might be best. I mean they light a tent up enough??? Least all I see seem to. And you don't have to start with a 2 grand light.. You can always get that later............... Good dubie my friend........ Keepem Green
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Radogast said:
I'd say figure out the rest of your environmental controls, as you choose lights.

I could not run my HPS in good temperatures without a basement or air conditioner for cold intake air + quality exhaust fan + ducting + carbon filter + air exhaust port through the walls + heater for winter + humidifier for winter + dehumidifier for summer + reverse osmosis.

If running LED means I can skip all the fan, carbon filter, ducting - and just have a tent in a spare room using house environmental temperature controls - then LED paid for itself and saves 30% on increased electricity every month.


I'm running dual 600W HPS because I already have them - Buying today, I'd go to DIY COBs (or maybe Quantum boards)

My test of 200W? of COB didn't produce as well as 600W of HPS. The useful light per COB watt is greater, but it still takes a lot of watts to grow good cannabis flowers.



Definitely get an electrician or someone who is comfortable install NEW dedicated electrical circuits and circuit breakers for growing. I run a pair of 4x6' (1.2 x 1.8 meters) grow areas and have two dedicated 30 amp-110v circuits just for those little grow areas (1 circuit for veg lights and environmental controls, 1 circuit for flowering lights and stereo.) 20 amp-110v circuits would be enough, but 30 amp circuits and outlets cost only a few dollars more and I have an extra margin of safety if all the equipment starts at the same time.

I believe 25, 16, and 10 AMP are italian standard sizes.
Two 16 AMP-220v would be a better choice than two or three 10 AMP.-220v

1000W at 220V is very close to 5 AMPS and might surge at startup to 5.5-6.0 AMPs. For safety, I would never plan on running more than 2/3 the amps on each circuit. Meaning 1000W takes up your entire 10AMP-220v circuit by itself, but two 1000W can fit on one 16AMP-220v.
Click to expand...

That's a lot of numbers to crunch, but i have time :)
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Norcaliwood said:
Damn I feel old.... Give me a 29$ 600 watt MH bulb for veg and a 50$ 1000 HPS to flower... Change once a year. These are the cheap bulbs. But if I ever do over,,,, I'd go with the double-ended fixtures HID. But still the whole setup here, can run under 500$,, tent and all..... Hell at the second-hand hydro store down the road,, I could get ya one for 300 with a great ballast and hood. I still use a magnetic ballast I've been using for 15 years now with not a problem one,,, knock on wood,,, It's backing up a newer dimmable that just took a crap. In the winter I brake out the 1500 watters. And they cost like 500 for ballast and bulb. Them suckers are bright,, but You can get them old heavy ass magnetic ballasts dirt cheap anywhere..

Now like I said before,, I'm a old dog that don't learn new tricks easily.... I haven't worked with LED's much. I still haven't flowered under one YET. But LED's and tents are a pretty good match. But if you have room overhead,, and can deal with afew extra BTU's coming outta the lights, I'd go with time-tested HID lights. Pro and Cons galore.

Just want ya to know,, I'm going to do a tester of that UD tonight. I kept 4-5 oz's of top buddage for stash and took the rest for budder.... But I waited for some cure time and took the tip of the biggest bud, rolled it and it will be the first thing I smoke tonight. Going smoke that and bust the top off a bottle of Single Barrle Jack tonight for my B-Day

I go thru alot of weed for budder in a year... Just about 80% of my outdoors goes in storage or the year. And the smoking weed comes from inside,,, mostly. It's fun being Father Nature. Plants get uninterrupted 16 hours sun or 12 in flower... Food and water on tap,, and they grow like a weed. And it's sure nice to be able to harvest when you say,, not Mother Nature. You'll enjoy it for sure...

Whatever ya do.... Keepem Green
Click to expand...

I think it's gonna be HPS in the beginning especially that I don't want to spend money on something that might not be worth it. Let me know how you like the UD.
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Few shots of making my Lebanese infused virgin olive oil :)

Grinded weed ready to be decarbed at around 320F or 120C
IMG_786610.JPG


After 15 minutes it was brown and crispy
IMG_78696.JPG


Then it was soaked in olive oil
IMG_78746.JPG


And finally put in a hot bath for around 3 hrs
IMG_78797.JPG


Result after straining looks like that
IMG_78846.JPG


It works really well as my daily medicine :smokin2:
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

No man, I just use a small dash with my food. Pasta, pizza, whatever.
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Hey Con,,, you know if you do go with a HID lighting,,, look into them 'Cool Tube' with wings reflectors. You can run ductwork and small booster fan on them,, and they will take out 90% of the heat. And they are economical. I run a 600 watter for veg in a 4X4 tent. To me I'd get a 1000 watt HID that's dimmable. They do like 600 watts thru 1150 watts. Least that way if it gets to hot you can dial it down till the heat passes......
BTW the UD is pretty decent smoke. Kind of a sleeper type. I have to get the kid next door to sample it before I say much.. I'm the worse judge there is... GL and Keepem Green
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

ilikemsticky said:
conrad check out the creme de le creme thread its a large harvest its hanging in every room in the house lol!
Click to expand...
I'm gonna do it, I'm close :laugh:
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

Norcaliwood said:
Hey Con,,, you know if you do go with a HID lighting,,, look into them 'Cool Tube' with wings reflectors. You can run ductwork and small booster fan on them,, and they will take out 90% of the heat. And they are economical. I run a 600 watter for veg in a 4X4 tent. To me I'd get a 1000 watt HID that's dimmable. They do like 600 watts thru 1150 watts. Least that way if it gets to hot you can dial it down till the heat passes......
BTW the UD is pretty decent smoke. Kind of a sleeper type. I have to get the kid next door to sample it before I say much.. I'm the worse judge there is... GL and Keepem Green
Click to expand...
I'm leaning towards cooling hood one, should get my temps down effectively. I'm thinking about something nice for veg too. Is it still about CFLs or is there something better?

Hmm Radogast, do you think I could get a scheme of this additional circuit somewhere, so I can show it to my electrician?
 
Re: Conradino23's Another Outdoor Grow With High Brix Soil - Air-Pots & SoCal Seed St

conradino23 said:
I'm leaning towards cooling hood one, should get my temps down effectively. I'm thinking about something nice for veg too. Is it still about CFLs or is there something better?

Hmm Radogast, do you think I could get a scheme of this additional circuit somewhere, so I can show it to my electrician?
Click to expand...

Common off the shelf LED bulbs are so much better than CFLs. Everybody who has CFLs and tries hacking common household LED bulbs never goes back. You can buy the LEDs in a variety of color temperatures just like a CFL. You take the diffusing globe off the LED bulb and you end up with a highly directional, much more efficient light.
420-magazine-mobile1049550681.jpg

Then you build them into an array. You can do this without much knowledge by just wiring light sockets on a board in a group and you screw in the bulbs.
420-magazine-mobile523253895.jpg



The heat is also so much less than CFL.

It works amazingly well, especially if you can get bulbs on sale.
You can also get less stretch.

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