When creating an indoor setup for growing marijuana, one of the most important decisions is what kind of lights to use. In this article, we’ll cover a few of the different options and details about LED lights and growing marijuana indoors.
- The advantages and disadvantages of using LED lights
- LED lights vs. other lights
- How do LED lights work?
- The LED lens
- High powered LEDs (HPLEDs) and low powered LEDs
- Making high-intensity white LEDs (WLEDs)
- Differences in price and quality
- Common problems with LEDs and how to avoid them
- FAQ about LED grow lights
LED grow lights have not always been popular with marijuana growers. However, technology has improved, and so have LED lighting systems. Although they would not have been a reasonable choice for marijuana growers five or ten years ago, they are becoming more popular every day. We can now find LED lights not only in the marijuana grow room, but also in cars, offices, and homes.
Many people swear by LEDs instead of HID setups, asserting that they are a far superior and more energy conscious option. If you go with LEDs, you will save energy, money, and management time.
The advantages and disadvantages of using LED lights
While LEDs sure sound amazing at first, this does not necessarily mean that they are the right light choice for you and your indoor marijuana grow setup. Let’s go over some of the major pros and cons that come with using LED lights.
Advantages
First and foremost, the energy savings are enormous. If you compare using an LED light for the same purposes as you would an HID light, using the LED light will save you about 40% of the energy consumption. They also last a lot longer. You can expect between 50,000 and 60,000 hours of working use of an LED light, compared to between 2,000 and 3,000 hours with an HID light. This is because LED lights don’t have a filament to burn.
LED lights take up less space, emit light faster, and are more durable and shock-resistant than HID lights. They also have a much lower heat output, therefore lowering the need to keep your grow room cool. This reduces the risk of fire significantly. HID lights will become very hot, but good LED lights feel cool when you touch them, even after running for several hours.
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LED lights focus using the lenses, which means there is less of a need for reflectors like HID lights, which disperse the light without focusing and, therefore, need an external means of focusing. HID lights need approximately 100 to 150 Watts of more power than LED lights since there is power management built into the LED lights. HID lamps require external ballasts and, therefore, add extra watts of consumption.
LED lights turn instantly on and off, unlike HID lamps, which need to warm up before being fully lit. LED lights can even be dimmed quite easily. Classified as “Class 1 LED product,” LEDs are considered a safer lighting option. This is because they don’t have mercury like some other lights, such as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).
The efficiency of LEDs is particularly noticeable when compared to CFLs. You can expect to save about 50% of your energy bill when you choose an LED over a CFL.
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Disadvantages
When using LED lights, precise power (current) management is necessary. Additionally, LED lights have higher upfront costs. That being said, they are less expensive over longer periods of time. LED lights particularly need more specific current and heat management than do HID lights, when they are powerful lights to be used to light entire large areas.
LED lights vs. other lights
One of the biggest questions to consider is whether you should choose an LED light setup or one of the other options for an indoor grow setup. How do LED lights measure up to other types of grow lights? Let’s look at the differences in lighting.
LEDs vs. CFLs
The most common light that has been traditionally used to grow marijuana is the CFL. CFLs are tried and true, having been used for generations, causing many growers choose to go with them, despite the fact that LEDs are often hailed as a more efficient technology. For people who have properly done their research on lighting systems, LEDs are almost always the winner. While CFLs needed to be adjusted pretty much on a daily basis, LED lights do not need this frequent maintenance.
LED lights also do not release the large amount of heat that CFLs do. They are well-equipped with cooling systems such as fans or heatsinks as well, which allows for an easier time of keeping the grow room at a temperature that isn’t too high (for the plants as well as the grower).
That all being said, there are some situations where using CFL lights makes more sense. One such situation is if your indoor growing area is on the shorter side. This is simply because LED lights need to be kept further away from the plants than CFLs do. Generally speaking, LED lights should be between twelve and eighteen inches above the canopy of your plants (although this should be cross-checked with the specific manufacturer) while CFLs just need a minimum of a few inches.
LEDs vs. MH/HPS
While many growers choose either LEDs or MH/HPS lights, the fact is that combining the two might provide the most advantageous setup you can find. Without the scientific evidence to prove it, many growers will swear that HPS lights turn out much prettier buds while LEDs get them to be denser and more potent. Therefore, using both should give you the best of both worlds.
Many growers have specific requirements for their situation that make either LED or MH/HPS lighting a more logical choice. For instance, if you are trying to keep the upfront costs of your grow room as low as possible, using an HPS grow light during the flowering phase makes the most sense. If you compare electricity used to the resulting yield, MH/HPS lights will give you the best bang for your buck. Electricity aside, they also simply cost much less than LED lights.
There is also a higher degree of variability with LED lights. If you buy LED lights, you must always check the manufacturer’s information to know what “rules” to follow. MH/HPS lights, on the other hand, are highly standardized and the models all fall into the same category of rules for the most part.
Many assert that LED lights get a better quality bud than MH/HPS lights, however. More trichomes, greater potency, and a stronger natural taste and smell are all associated with using LED lights.
How do LED lights work?
Most simply, LED lights use a current passing through a semiconductor to produce light. The energy (in the form of light) is released from moving electrons inside the semiconductor. They used to only be available in the red, but now they are available in any color, ranging from ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths.
The invention of LED lights is credited to H. J. Round, a British man from Marconi Labs who, in 1907, was the first to experiment with, and observe electroluminescence. Fast forward twenty years to when the actual invention of the first LED light finally came about. But even the Russian inventor, Oldeg Vladimirovich Losev, couldn’t find a practical way to use the light. It wasn’t until 1955 that Rubin Braunstein observed semiconductor alloys, and six years later, Texas Instruments took over with a patent.
LED colors
LED colors are made via electronic action occurring at the p-n junction. This junction is where the n-type and p-type semiconductor materials emit energy, resulting in the color of the light.
This light wasn’t even observed until 1962, when Nick Holonyak, Jr., working with General Electric, witnessed the red LED light. His graduate student, named Craford, then invented the yellow LEDs and also made the reds and orange LEDs ten times as bright by the year 1972. Blue and white followed similar development, via other experimenters and companies.
3 band, 5 band, 11 band, and full spectrum LEDs
The different colors of LED lights actually stimulate and trigger different types of growth in marijuana plants, for example:
- LED lights within the blue spectrum spur vegetative growth.
- LED lights within the yellow, amber, red, and far-red spectrums spur pre-flowering and flowering stages, which includes reproductive growth.
Generally speaking, using lights to grow marijuana indoors can be successfully done from sprout to harvest by using between 420 and 730 nanometers (nm). Therefore, if you want to grow marijuana that ends up with a successful yield, you will need LED lights that include and use the full spectrum.
If you choose an LED light that has only red or blue lights, it simply will not get your plants to grow to their full potential, like a white LED light (also known as a full spectrum LED light) would. White LED lights contain closer to the full spectrum, making them more similar to the sun than single color LED lights. Even red and blue lights together will not do it. You need white LED lights.
So what exactly are the other types of LED lights, such as the 3, 5, 6, 11, or 12 band LEDs that are advertised? These LEDs have a spectrum that includes those gaps. They might be 440, 470, 525, 640, 660, or 740 nanometers. These lights do not offer the same full spectrum that a proper white LED light would provide.
Instead of white LED lights, you will often find many different diodes on store shelves, or online. Some claim to be able to match the PAR spectrum more accurately than a white LED. When you shop for an LED light for your marijuana plants, you should be aware of the exact spectrum that it covers, and know whether it coincides with the PAR spectrum as closely as possible.
The fact about the PAR spectrum is that the better an LED light matches it, the more efficient the light will be. Less light will be wasted since there will be a higher ratio of usable light for your marijuana plants. This helps marijuana growers save on their power bill while simultaneously spurring better growth in your plants. There is also less heat loss, which means cooling your grow room is much easier with LED lights.
Thermal management of LED grow lights
LEDs don’t get as hot as other types of lights, and they are also far more efficient than other lights. This efficiency is because they don’t burn filament. The vast majority (95%) of an HID lamp’s energy is actually wasted as heat or radiation, therefore reducing its efficiency significantly. Since LEDs are generally cooler in temperature, they waste far less energy as heat.
When using LEDs or HIDs as grow lights, it’s important to take these heat differences into account. HIDs need to be situated several feet above the tops of your marijuana plants, for example, while LEDs can be kept really close to them (between one foot and 18 inches).
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This does not mean, however, that LEDs have absolutely no heat issues associated with them. While they don’t feel warm because they aren’t emitting infrared radiation, the high powered LEDs are actually less efficient and, therefore, waste more heat than low powered ones.
If you have high-quality LEDs, they should have heat sinks that keep the heat under control. These heat sinks allow for the dissipation of unwanted heat. Any LED lights that are below 700 watts should use heat sinks to cool them. For high powered LED lights, heat sinks should include aluminum, copper, thermoplastics, or even graphite (for the most expensive option). A large surface area is required for the heat sinks to work efficiently, so don’t be surprised by odd fin shapes designed into some of the more expensive lights.
Because of the requirement for a large surface area, heat sinks will not be as practical of an option for the largest LED lights on the market. Therefore, some of these larger lights use passive heat sinks combined with fans to keep cool, although the best designs don’t need a fan at all because the sinks work well enough.
Whatever type of cooling system your LED light has, make sure it is high in quality. Low-quality cooling systems will cause your LED lights to deteriorate fast, so it’s better to pay the higher upfront costs to get your money’s worth in the long run.
The LED lens
One of the best qualities of an LED light is the fact that external reflectors are not needed to focus the light on one area efficiently, unlike HID lights. Instead of requiring these reflectors, LEDs use a lens to focus their lights onto a smaller area in full force. The plastic shell holds together the entire LED system: the “chip” that sits in the potting, which also serves as the lens for your LED, boosting the light out of the semiconductor. Depending on the quality of the way the chip was “potted,” the light output can vary considerably between cheap and very expensive options.
Remember, the actual extraction of this light is equally important to the type materials being used for the semiconductor. This is why sometimes people prefer to purchase reflectors even though they have LED lights. Reflectors don’t need to be complex to be effective. If you are getting a lens instead, go for a Total Internal Reflective (TIR) lens because it is the most accurate and complete.
The best LED lens for directing light right onto the plants is one with a 90-degree angle, although some products are 120-degree angles. The typical output of an LED light is around 160 degrees. If you choose a lens that is too wide, it will cover a greater area but will be less efficient because less light energy will be hitting your plants, and instead, will just be wasted. Don’t buy an LED light without a lens.
High powered LEDs (HPLEDs) and low powered LEDs
Regular LEDs use 30-60 milliwatts (mW), but higher powered LEDs use around 500 mW, or even more. The first 1-Watt LED light came out in 1999, but many people don’t understand the difference between a 1-Watt LED and a 3-Watt LED.
To put it simply, the 3-Watt LED can run at 1 Watt, but the 1-Watt LED cannot run at more than 1 Watt because that is its limit. In other words, these names refer to the highest possible potential power output from the light.
Making high-intensity white LEDs (WLEDs)
Since you already know that white LEDs are the best choice for growing your marijuana plants, let’s look at the different ways they are made. There are two primary methods used to produce high-intensity white LED lights.
The first method involves using one LED that just gives off three colors of light: red, green, and blue. These lights get mixed together to form one perfect white light. These lights are considered multi-colored white LEDs, or RGB LEDs, and are the most effective type of WLEDs.
The second method requires you to use a phosphor-based semiconductor material that converts one color (blue or UV) into the full spectrum white light. These WLEDs are called phosphorus based white LEDs, and they are cheaper to produce (and buy) than the above version.
Another type of WLED does exist, but it is hardly worth mentioning because it has barely been developed. It uses zinc selenide (ZnSE).
Differences in price and quality
To start with, it’s a given fact that almost every LED grow light that you will find in stores, even ones with American designs, will be produced in China. At a minimum, most or all of the different components will come from China.
There is a difference in quality between the low, middle, and high prices LED lights, we’ll explain those differences to help you choose the best lights for your grow room setup and budget.
Low price
Generally speaking, LED lights in the low price range have a poor spectrum and are low in quality. They are generally UFO LEDs found online, often misrepresented as “full spectrum” LEDs that can easily be recognized by what they actually are due to the fact that they are clearly large blue and red LED lights in a cheaply made plastic shell.
Because these are lower in quality and spectrum, they will hurt the growth and yield of your marijuana plants. Simply put, these LED lights are not recommended over HPS or MH system lights, making it not worth the money at all.
Middle price
These LED lights will be more reasonable in their quality. They will have a better shell, come with a built-in fan, and will come from higher quality brand names that should be familiar although they still will not have the full spectrum that their more expensive counterparts will. More likely is that they are models with either 6, 8, 11, or 12 bands. The primary function of these bands is that they will cover the entire PAR range, but not thoroughly; there will be some gaps missing throughout. This means that, although they are better than the lower quality version, they are not as close to the sun’s spectrum as you can get with LED lights.
High price
These are the types of LED lights that are going to get you the best results in terms of marijuana plant yield. They don’t need a fan to stay cool, they are built with the best materials, and they incorporate the entire spectrum, getting as close to the PAR (and, therefore, are the most sun-like) as possible. These models should cover a range from 420 to 750 nanometers. Sometimes they will appear dim or dead to people because of the far-red part of the spectrum, which is 710 to 850 nanometers and is hard to see with many people’s eyes.
Also read 5 Tips when buying LED lights
The highest quality LED lights will be from companies such as Cree, Bridgelux, or Epistar. The lights have the highest thermal engineering, allowing them to operate without a fan and still stay cool. You can rest assured that plants growing under these lights will reach their maximum yield potential, helping you end the season with a fantastic product. Although the costs are higher for these LED lights, the results are equivocal, making it well worth the extra spending.
Reputable LED brands
Whatever type of LED light you buy, make sure you choose one from a reputable source. The problem with there being so many options these days is that plenty of those options are sub-par, meaning consumers need to do their research before buying. Ask in-depth questions about the light intensity and the spectrum, and check for the most highly recommended products around.
We can recommend a few brands although there are certainly more brands out there that have similar high-quality LED lights. Some of the best brands for LEDs that grow marijuana include Advanced Platinum Grow Lights, GalaxyHydro LED Grow Lights, Pro-Glow LED Grow Lights, Kind LED Grow Lights, and Advance Spectrum LED Grow Lights. Be sure to do your own research into these brands and others to find the brand that is right for you.
- Advanced platinum grow lights:
These lights are a fairly recent development on the market, but this in no way means they are lower quality than other, older brands. These lights are usually a reasonable price, come with good customer service, and even have a trusted warranty that lasts for 5 years on all of their models. Their models include the Advanced Platinum P150, P300, P450, and the P600. All of these models work best in different grow room setups, so be sure to read into it and ask questions about specific models if necessary. - GalaxyHydro LED grow lights:
Like the Advanced Platinum Grow Lights, GalaxyHydro is also a relatively new brand. The results from their lights are consistently positive, however, and we can recommend the GalaxyHydro 300W LED Panel, the GalaxyHydro “Roleadro” COB 200W, 270W, or 400W LED Grow Light, and the 300W “Full Spectrum” LED Grow Light. - Pro-Glow LED grow lights:
These lights are considered some of the most expensive, but also the highest quality ones on the market. You can find all sorts of research and records online showing their positive results, so if you have the money and really want to do it right, the Pro-Glow lights are worth it. The models include the PG-180 LED Grow Light, the PG-400, the PG-X5-300, the PG-400X, and the PG-750. - Kind LED grow lights:
These LEDs have skyrocketed in popularity in recent months among the marijuana-growing crowd. They provide numerous available models, but so far the only one used and recommended for marijuana plants is the K3 L600 model. - Advance Spectrum LED grow lights:
Not quite as much is known about this company at this point, but so far the experiences with them have sounded positive. In particular, the S540 is recommended for marijuana growers.
Common problems with LEDs and how to avoid them
If you’re looking for an everyday, “standard” type of grow light, then LEDs may not be for you. They require a certain amount of research and patience, and they achieve different results than other types of grow lights.
In order to avoid some of the common problems that occur with new LED growers, let’s look at some important facts and common problems with LED lights.
They change the appearance of your plants
Many growers who are newly using LED lights begin to panic when they see that their marijuana plants apparently have nutrient deficiencies because of some strange discoloration taking place. Before you start testing the pH levels and loading your soil with extra nutrients, however, consider the fact that it might simply be from using LED lights – and it is not necessarily a bad thing.
It is most common to see such discoloration during your plants’ flowering stage, particularly when they are reaching the end of it. The leaves will start appearing discolored, but as long as the lights are far enough away, the leaves aren’t actually falling off of the plant, and the buds are still healthy as ever, there is nothing wrong with your plant at all.
Distances can vary
Because LED lights are not as standardized as other types of lights, it is crucial that you check the manufacturer’s instructions for how far away from your plants your new lights should be. This distance varies according to the bulb size as well as the type of lens, so don’t start using it until you feel confident that you fully understand what should be done with your specific LED lights.
Learn more about calculating the best distance to hang your grow lights.
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Generally speaking, smaller LEDs that have 1W chips should be a minimum of one foot away. The majority of LED lights with chips that are 3W or larger, however, should be at least 1.5 feet away. Otherwise, you could give your plants light burn. Remember that you can always ask the manufacturer for recommendations yourself. If your plants are starting to appear burnt on just their top part, you should probably try moving your LEDs further away.
HPS lights get a higher yield
While this statement is probably true, that does not necessarily mean that you will get a better yield with HPS lighting. LED lights may achieve a lower yield than HPS lights, but it is well known that buds given light from LEDs will be stickier, stronger, and have a more intense aroma. Remember, more is not always better, especially when you are growing something that will be consumed or smoked later.
If you want to compare some LED lights yourself, you may want to check LEDgrowLights101 or see this article from our friends at The Chillbud.
Thanks for reading. Please leave comments or questions below and don’t forget to download my free grow bible.
Robert
FAQ about LED grow lights
Can I use any LED light as a grow light?
Your plants won’t grow as healthy or efficiently with any LED light, since only LED grow lights provide the full spectrum that the plants need to reach their full potential.
Are LED grow lights worth it?
LED grow lights are popular due to them being energy-efficient, durable, and providing the light spectrums that your plants may need.
How far should LED grow lights be from plants?
LED grow lights are generally placed about 16 to 36 inches away from the plants.
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment. One big difference is efficiency, as LEDs tend to be quite a bit more cost-effective and use less electricity. Other than that HPS also emits heats, whereas LEDs barely do. This can be convenient if you’re growing during the winter months, but in the summer you may have actively cool your grow room when working with HPS, whereas LEDs will barely affect the temperature in the grow room.
Check out this thread about this very subject on our grow support forum as well, it might be helpful:
https://support.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/t/led-vs-hps-mh-h-i-ds/27381/28?page=3
We do hope this helps!
Kind regards,
ILGM
How can you compare between HPS and LEDs? Is there a direct comparison between the two? I know “watts” are no longer the way.
Hi Mitch,
Thanks for your questions. Yes, use both modes simultaneously during the flowering stage!
Happy growing,
ILGM
Using LEDS
When I turn on the bloom switch. Should I leave the vegitive cycle on as well?
I Want to start a Marijuana growing warehouse for the long term what Kind of lights should i use any Recommendations?
Hi Roger,
Thanks for your question. The dimmer can be used to imitate the fall sun, by decreasing the light output in small increments towards the end of the flowering stage.
It can also be used to avoid burning your plants if they grow up to the light. And it can be used to avoid burning up your seedlings.
It is recommended to use a PAR meter or lux meter when using the dimmer function for the best results.
It might be worthwhile to open a thread on this on our support forum (if you’re a member) to see how other people apply this functionality!
Kind regards,
ILGM
want to know about the use of dimmers on LED lights. The Mars Hydro’s I use have this capability. Does turning done the light during the different phases help with production? thanx Doc
I just acquired 8 LED bars made by Valoya, they are full spectrum 4′ bars i believe the model of yhe lights are BX120. Of the 8 lights only 1 fails to work and seeing as they cost me $0 I’m perfectly fine with that one no working.
What are opinions on these lights?
They wil be used to grow in my 10’X12′ DIY greenhouse that is vented with auto vents that open when the greenhouse temperature reaches 82°F, I do not use an air exchager and now wonder with a ceiling height of 8′ how many lights should I install in the greenhouse for my grow of Gold Leaf Feminized seeds?
I just purchased 20 of the GLF seeds which arrived only 3 days after i placed the order. HAPPY HAPPY!!!
Question, I have a small grobo with 12vdc is this to strong for my nearly born pot plants? Very little sunlight here in VA.
Some what helpful, I just put my girls on 12×12 lighting. So I have not seen much different appearance of the girls. I am new to using LED’s it seams they grow slower and shorter plants.
I have used T-5’s in the past and had pretty decent results,haven’t grown anything in a few years due to moving.I grew WW from DP and Pineapple Chhunk ,Tangerine Dream,to name a few,been thinking about trying LED’s .I only grow 2-3 plants for myself,how strong should the lights be
Finally not a biased article. Been growing 25 years with hps. I’m switching to a led hps hybrid set up with California lightworks uvb t5 lights added the last few weeks for a couple hours a night. In the winter the hybrid set up works best for me as i go overkill on light(2 sf4000s with a 1000w hps in middle in a 4×8 area)i use co2 and the LEDs just doesn’t keep the room warm enough but when summer returns i will switch to 3 sf4000s and compare yields and quality. I grow in raised beds while harder to set up and break down the rest is sooooo much easier
Ok so I have a GE grow light it is a PAR38 32w non-dim 50 high output ppt I was wondering what would be my outcome from seed to finish or do I need to change my lighting to something else I have it in a 4×4 room with the one light on it
FUNNY THAT ALL THE EVIDENCE SHOWS LED ARE BETTER ALL AROUND THE BOARD. I THINK MAYBE I LOVE MARIJUANA WEBSITE, HAS A CLASSIC CASE OF CANT TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS OR IS BACKED BY SOME OF THE HPS LIGHTS MAJOR CORPS. AHHH!!! FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY!! NOT OF COURSE NOT MARIJUANA !!. LOL WITH ALL DUE RESPECT YOU GUYS HAVE THE BEST TIPS ABOUT MARY JANE! AT LAST RECOGNIZE THE POSSIBILITY AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE BACKING THE USE LED
My experience with Amare 450 LED has been spectacular! I’ve used hps and cfl in the past and my LED setup produced superior results. The trichome production is incredible!
Can I use a 30 watt,450nm spectrum for my marijuana plant?
Hello I’m extremely new to growing..is anyone available for a couple questions about my homemade lighting and if it will work
I am one of the last of my kind . I have been growing outside since the late 60s . I have become pretty good at it but for Several reasons I am going to try an inside grow . I am wondering if two 1,000 watt full spectrum LED lights will produce enough light for a 4’ x 8’ grow tent . Always willing to learn and try new ideas and would appreciate a professionals suggestions . Thanks
I bought Vivid 2 LEDs grow lights. 1,000 watts pulling only 588 Watts are they good for growing marijuana
For one plant in a 34″x34’x63ft tall grow i meant to say also TKS
Do i need a full spectrum grow panel and CFLs to grow cannibus or one or both. I’m currently running a 1000 watt grow panel and CFLs.. plz help.
Can a full spectrum grow panel grow cannibus? Or do need CFLs also? Plz help!
Robert,
I think you will find it is a matter of storing well; As you did, and expertise in propagation. It is however widely known that some genetics after being stored for a long time can be hard to propagate. Others never “pop”. It is good for you to have such success. Happt growing 🙂
Robert (conflicting info) I have stored several generations of seed in my freezer for years with protection from freezer burn (freeze drying of the product) with no loss of viability in sprouting
Keith, since I am not sure what your issue is: I Suggest You Go Here: Support.Ilovegrowingmarijuana.Com Our Members And Staff Can Give You Informed Advice.
I made the rookie mistake of only using the veg switch on during veg cycle and then turned off the veg and switched on flowering during the flowering stage; am I still OK? I’m on week 7 of flowering. Thank you
Byron, Buy as intense of a lamp that you can afford. Without knowing your budget, this is the best advice I can give you. The best lamps on the market IMO are Spectrum King but, they are not cheap. Some really special folks in our support forum teach how to build your own lamps, if you are interested. Peace
I have one pot plant in a 5 gal. container! How many watts led full spectrum grow light should i use for this plant? Thank you
Local grow Stor sells gavida im Retooling my rooms i looking for info on gavida led
They have been excellent for me. Even when I had problem, it was solved within 2 weeks total. Try again bud , they’re legit.
Idk guys , there name or price dosent seem to matter much as long as u have a full spectrum . I bought 6 18 in. LED Grow StickS from Walmart zip Tied them all onto a tri fold cardboard display bored two per fold Horizontally and wired them together Onto one cored with timer and made a hoist with pully all for 70 bucks and let me tell u puts 300 dollar lights to shame ..lol . I got a 475 gram dry weight harvest using this light tipping 3 times and using my Root power and Nitro/manganese and San pleigrino tricks . so don’t let money get in the way of yr Resourcefulness.. Lol and yes R.powered mixed into soil works !!!
Can I use LED lights on seedlings? And, if so what height should the light be? Will your recommendations in this article of 4 inches be all right with an LED? The ones I have been researching see the light should be much higher away from the plant .
Greetings fellow enthusiasts, Out of curiosity…. what size wattage is sufficient for a small 1 plant grow? doesn’t need to be precise, just an educated, experienced opinion would be enough right now! Thanks and look forward to your replies.
In theory, any light that interrupts the dark cycle, would be viable. You can use LED to make this happen. No worries. 🙂 Look into foot print of lamp for necessary coverage
Hi. Great info on the lights. Thank you. We are growing outdoors, in a plastic covered tunnel (20m2) and require lighting only to prevent flowering. There is good sun for 10hrs each day. Using cf’s for 8hrs at night at the moment which use more power than we have. Would led’s do the job to prevent flowering? And if so, what wattage? And how many?
Thanks.
Earl,
I would check the footprint of those lights and I would also confirm that they are actually 200 watts each. Many LED lamps have are as powerful as advertised.
I think you may find you need 4 more of those 200 watter for that space. Personally; I would have gone with a couple Digital 600 watt HID lamps.
Great space. Happy growing.
Oh yeah. Join us at support.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com for loads of friendly and knowledgeable guidance.
I just bought 4-2000w LEDs from Bestva and have a12x12x8 foot room.Using the center and hanging the lights so i have 2 feet around the grow space 8×8 foot.I hope that it works???I have 80 plants in 1 gal.pots
Bob,
Mirrors will create hot spots and burn leaves, possibly cause a fire, etc…Bad idea. But a roll of Panda plastic and all you reflection needs will be covered. 🙂
what effect will mirrors lining my grow space have ? using LED .
this is my 4th time getting seeds from ILGM and never a problem , the 3rd time they took almost a month but they came. This time spent the extra for priority mail , you get to track them and they arrived in 10 days so it gives you a little piece of mind. Just got my Maui Wowie seeds yesterday, haven’t tasted that in 20 years looking forward to the grow. Finishing up Mega Jackpot and Rainbow Kush , 7th week of flower. I have had nothing but good luck and grows with your seeds . THANKS
I wish I had read this a few days ago as I already purchased 3 Baltoro CL6060 60W LED Corn Bulb for my grow room. I’m going to cross my fingers. My wife will sh1t if I have to buy another light…
Amen. Find another site to bitch. An open forum @ ILGM is NOT where you go to complain! I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you’re honest. They state 25 business days before refunds. You’re giving ME a bad taste…something stinks.
Join our forum, as I do not see where you mentioned what brand or spectrum you are talking about using. Look in the post I made above for the link to our support forum at iLGM. Thanks
Sorry don, I meant; “I suggest”. Legally blind. Sorry about the typo. Peace, lw
Sorry Chris. We really do not research and recommend or condone different companies LED’s as a general rule.
If you want to find a lot of opinions; I usggest you join ILGM forum and ask your question there.
support.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com See you there 🙂
great article.. I’m a sign guy fimilar with js led as commonly used in signage to replace neon. would these be ok to use to make grow lights with. they are white full spectrim and not cheap
ILGM what are your thoughts on the India gro 420 light system and a set up with the India gro 420 and full spectrum L.E.D. Lights used in conjunction?
Rosey,
You started out asking about a light for seedlings. Almost all Pro growers and experts use a T5 fluorescent lamp. These are available in 2′ or 4′ with 2 or 4 lamps in each.
A 400 watt LED is generally 180-200 watts. This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Any L:ED under 100 bucks is a cheap lamp and will only last a while. you can use them to grow but, expectations must be tempered.
gram per watt does not matter unless you as a grower can produce that. gram per watt os only something to be measured after harvest to keep track of how well you and your set up are doing. footprint is how LED growers judge which lamp to use.
I suggest you go to support.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com, open an account and ask “latewood, I need help with lighting” in the title. I can show you what you need with pictures in the forum.
See you there.
Best information I’ve read– but still confused by what leds to use if I have 2 or 3 seedlings. I was looking for x amount of light for x sq footage of area. Do I measure light first by watts? (assuming I have the budget to get the best spectrum, assuming I scrog, assuming … oh I don’t know anymore. So many posts talk about gram yield per watt but based on the above, that is a nonsensical shorthand. I just want to maximize yield for 2 plants. Sigh. I was going to go with 1, 400 watt light (under $100 on amazon) but if can top and scog to get each plant to cover 2 sq feet, then I am thinking I need 2 of them. All these posts that just discuss yield per watt seem to be missing square footage first, much less the quality of the LED spectrum and angle of light. Am I wrong?
The LED industry does not equate lumens to successful lighting. this is why you cannot find what you are looking for. LED companies “the good ones” look for leaf surface temperature, and proper light spectrum.
I suggest you join our forum, suppoer.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com and look in the ILGM Podcst category under :”growing with Fishes”, and find the Spectrum King episodes. One was in May, and the other in July or August; I think. You questions will be answered in those podcasts.
Happy hunting 🙂
So I’ve read a ton of articles and no one seems to have a general consensus on exactly how many foot candles and/or LUX is recommended for plants under an LED. I’m fully aware of PAR and lumens, and the problems associated with LED lights too close to the plant (bleaching). I’ve seen a ton of charts and blog comments, but have yet to find any that just give an optimal number of foot candles. I’m just looking for someone with experience who can give an approximate number that the canopy should be getting for the 12/12 cycle. Please don’t “help” me by explaining the difference in lumens, par, and FC/ Lux or with a ton of formulas- THANK YOU!
Thank you for your nice information. If you are looking for the best LED grow light for your setup, you can look for Nova N300s Dual Spectrum 300W.
Johmmy.
Veg photo period should be in between 14 and 18 hours on. If your LEd will not run longer than 14 hours; You shoudl find an alternative lighting system. I never heard of any light being limited to 14 hours. Never use over 18 hours of light’s “on”
Happy growing, lw
I have the King Plus 1000W and it says to only run it 12-14 hrs in the instructions for the vegetative state but in the ILGM grow bible, it says to keep the light on for up to 24 hrs. Which is best for the plant? How long should the light be off in between turning it back on so that it doesn’t get overheated etc? Thanks!
I have to disagree. I ordered from ILGM and my seeds were here in 2 weeks. Every time I contacted them they got back to me.
Hi Melody, best send a message to the Bergman’s Lab support people. You can contact them here. – I❤️GM
I am a paid member and cannot get into the Bergman Lab. Help please!
I am serious about our cooperation, we need to have new idea and take action, then we can win.
Please check the attached models, followings are the selling points or advantages. You must like it , your clients must like it.
1) This serial is the best solution for the growing, COB has strongest penetration for canopy.
5W is for the lighting gap between COB, the lighting spread will be much even , better than just COB.
2) This is the best combination of 5W and COB, both has high efficiency.
3) With dimmer , can control the stage of the plant growing, testing shows it has the best growing yields on the market.
4) The UL certificate will be ready soon, it is the high quality one
i am using a 300w wellpar light i bought on ebay(new)for 60 dollars.i dont know if it is the best light available,but i know it works.i have grown multiple plants with this light,usually 4-6 at a time,depending on strain.i am not claiming im an expert grower.im just trying to help you out
I use mezhi light they on amazon th buds are jucy it does the job its not a piece of shit thats for sure 400 dolar 600 watt amazon price not bad
So not true, first of all they claim delivery avg time 5 days, but anywhere between 5 and 25 days, if you don’t get anything after 25 days to contact them. I emailed them on the 26th day just so they would know and they replied within 24 hrs.They said they would re-ship and if by any chance I’d get the first order to just keep them both for free and just to let them keep track of missing product. After 12 days I got my delivery and 5 days later a couple of seedlings.
Hi Jamie, I’m not sure what the problem is but the best place to ask for help is our support forum https://support.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com – I❤️GM
if I only have one what do I need some help please?
Anna,
Most LED grow light are set up for full spectrum or red spectrum for flower. Either lamp will work. As far as an app to measure your lumens. I recommend you do a searchy. You also can join our support forum and perhaps one of the members heavy into using LED lamps will have some more info to share. – I❤️GM
Anna,
I highly recommend using expanded clay. Do not use Coco. Coco cause issues that do not need to be present for growers. If you use Coco; It should be mixed with perlite. or expanded clay – I❤️GM
P.S. This LED article is very helpful. Thanks! Query; I’ve hung my LED’s to test them out and have noticed they have little bulbs that are red, blue and white – although the white ones are in smaller numbers than the others. Is this a problem? And also; can you suggest an App that will test a light’s quality and tell me the lumens etc? And if so, what should I be looking for? Sorry for all the questions! Regards & Thanks from Australia!
I’m setting up my first indoor grow in 15 years and the technology has really evolved!
I bought 2 x 600W LED’s and 1 x 300W off eBay. They were between $140-$200 each. I have a 1.2m x 1.2m x 2m grow tent and am waiting on seeds from ILGM. I’m using a run to waste drip ring feeder and plan to germinate in rockwool cubes. My question is this:
Should I use Coco in the 11litre Growlush fabric pots or clay pebbles or perlite? I plan to put the rockwool cube straight into the medium once the seedlings are ready. And I have both the Canna Coco Nutrients & the Canna Classic nutrients cos I keep changing my mind after reading new reviews! Please help a confused newb?
Shenandoah,
I am sorry to say; A 9watt lamp is not going to produce much yield at all. PLace the lamp as close as you can get it without making the back of your hand “HOT” if hand is placed palm down at top of plant. If hand get’s hot; Move lamp a couple inches higher until it is not hot at top of plant.
Happy growing.
Hi, I’m fairly new to growing and was wondering about the wattage in an led light. The light I purchased States it is only 9 watts. It is a plant grow light and the brand is Feit electric TM. It has a red spectrum and blue, resulting in the color in the images above. My only concern is the 9 watts and what distance I should keep it at.
Hi Lindel, that order number is not fro I Lov Growing Marijuana. Best check which seedbank you ordered from.
We ordered seeds on February 9 and to date have not received same and can get no information on the order. Order no. KM7T01589 paid by pay pal forCharlottes Web..
He Sean, we’d love to see your progress, maybe you could keep a journal on the forum 😀
Trying a galaxy led in a new grow tent 2x2x4. doing two scrogs, Roberts crystal seed!
Hey Hank, autos are great for easy growing ad for gettng some extra yield in between grows. Keep an eye out for one of our moderators who is planning a grow journal for all our autoflowers
I was thinking of getting two King plus 1200 watt for my 8×4 tent but I’ve only seen one other posts which was actually nice for auto flowers. Any more info on this brand will be appreciated greatly.
Thank you and Happy growing
Hey Robert, Jenny’s not on the blog atm but I’ll pass it along. Good luck with the grow! 😀
Hi Jennifer. I just got my LED lights and waiting on the ww seed’s. First time grower with LED lights wish me luck. RDG1951
Good point! Thanks Phillipip
Excellent unbiased opinions, one point I would pick up on is the relative costs between hps/mh and led taking into account the life span of led being 10years as appose to say a year? Then cost would be comparative. Also recommended mixing led and smaller watt hps. Big fan loving your work….
Hi Nicholas, if you contact [email protected] they can help you with a new Grow Bible link
I too have this issue. I believe I was able to download the grow bible once through email but deleted it for phone storage space and note can’t seem to find a legit download for it.
Ted,
I recommend you look into Ipower digital lamp systems. I use them and have sold many to our members. The Mars hydro lamps will not outperform the digital 600w lamps, and the added warmth from the HID’s will help you keep your room warm enough.
No question in my mind. Please join our forum. We have many knowledgeable and helpful growers using both type systems.
Happy growing 🙂
Hi Starting my first grow, SCROG, 7′ x 3.5′ grow area 6′ high growing 8-9 plants. i have been quoted a good price from MarsHydro for 2 x 192 reflector 5w. which should cover the area. My only concern is I live in North UK and the climate is cold so would I be better off going with high quality MH/HPS set up. My aim is maximum high quality yield from 9 plants.
T,
You did not mention any issues that you are having. You should probably join the forum and share your grow there in order to get an informed answer to your issues after knowledgeable growers see what is wrong.
Did you download and read the free grow bible offered here?
My plants are s12 to 14 inches tall. Long stemmed and maybe five to six sets of leaves.. Indoor using a Sylvania gro pro and two of the LED red blue spectrum lights. Help what am I doing wrong? Yes and they were started mid June.
This is the best seed company. I’ve ordered many times,always willing to make customer’s happy.
Anna;
I started a grow in a 2x3x6 area (3plants) with a galaxyhydro 300w led (89.95 from amazon w/free shipping) and two weeks later added a galaxyhydro 300w full spectrum w/daisy chain (99.95 amazon w/free shipping) and after 4 weeks in veg. forced flowered and in the first week of flower buds are already thumb sized,
the galaxyhydro are producing results beyond my expectations, also very low heat output, you just want to make sure that you have height to work with because they need to have about 18″ between light and the top of the plant,
Anna,
I would like to help you find a cheap LED that would work but, there isn’t such a thing. You would be much better off buying this: https://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLSETX600DHMWING20-600-Watt-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005DOS0R8?tag=greenrel-20
I hope link posted.
I suggest you buy a 400-500 watt Ipower digital lamp system for 112,00-170 dollars. You cna find them at Amazon, which is the link I posted for this system
iPower GLSETX600DHMWING20 600-Watt Light Digital Dimmable HPS MH Grow Light System for Plant – Wing Set
You can buy a better hood to go with this through some sellers. Good Luck Join our support forum at https://support.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com
Could you recommend an LED light that isn’t industrially sized nor is too expensive? I’m starting off with very small scale growing of only two plants and in need of a good but small light
Thanks for this highly informative article. I was thinking of using HIDs in my upcoming first grow. Now i think i will just bite the bullet and pay the higher upfront costs. LEDs seem to be less of a hassle for a personal grow.
Gangeman,
My advice to you is to cull that male before it spreads pollen around and ruin female plants. Sorry to say, male plants are not worth the time or effort to grow them for harvest. Best to start over.
Happy growing 🙂
I have a male plant outside, about five feet tall. It has pollen pods. When should I harvest to get the best results, and best buzz, although I realize not the best buzz
Shannon,
I do not want to discourage you but those lamps will be inadequate for growing a vibrant healthy Cannabis plant.
Have you read out free grow bible? Even better yet. Join our free grow support forum and get help from our many helpful and friendly members. If you want some help from me. Post latewood in the title.
Have a great day. See you soon! 🙂
I’ve got led bulbs (purchased for regular in home lighting) they look like an old school incandescent bulb and produce a (white light like in home).
Stats: 800 lumens
Soft white 3000k
Is this a “white led light” as you describe?
I received my package without a hitch. My plants are doing great! What’s not to like?
I received my package with out a hitch. My plants are doing great! What’s not to like?
Mayfield,
This is not true! Perhaps you have not received your order but ILGM always replaces seeds for lost or seized orders and even for unsuccessful germination. 100% of the time. email [email protected]. This email is all over the site.
As proof; I challenge you to join our support forum and post what you posted here. You will find many, many satisfied customers that will dispute your claims, and vouch for the honesty of ILGM.
Again; We are not claiming you did not get your seeds. Thsi blog page is not an appropriate place to trash talk ILGM.
Kiri,
I believe that a wide spectrum of light is better for Cannabis. White light is great. I believe you would benefit more from a wider range of growers and opinions on LED lighting, if you joined our support forum
LED lighting is still new to the Cannabis industry. We are just now getting to the point where you can find a bit more affordable LED systems.
I still use T5, Metal Halide, and High Pressure Sodium. NH and HPS lamps ; (HID lamps) is still the lighting of choice for large scale and professional growers.
Hope to see you in the forum 😀
Purchased from ILGM and never heard from my order, nor received my order. I have tried to find contact info or an email address for Mr. Bergman to relate my woe but cannot find any way to reach him or the company that was suppose to ship my product. I am feeling pretty much like I have been ripped off. I plan on contesting the CC charge and asking for a refund if I can’t get what I paid for in good faith. My order was placed in April and we are heading towards the end of May. NOTHING…NADA…ZIP…my advice is be cautious if you try to deal with ILGM. Bad Taste here!
R.Mayfield
Robert Says “You need white LED lights.(c)”. But where to buy lamps with white leds?
Pro-Glow, King-Led and other listed companies still offer lamps with combiantion of red-blue-orange-white-IR leds.
Thank you.
You should look into the King Plus series of LEDs. A 1200 w unit runs about $212 used and is completely able to replace a 1000 w hid. I am currently using 2 800 w units and am about to add a 1200 and will still be under $600 in lighting investment. The grow quality is pretty nice. I will submit some pictures soon. I just super cropped and they need a couple days to pretty back up.
Hi Chris, The grow bible is available as an ebook. Go to https://ilgm.com/grow-bible for the download. Please contact [email protected] if you have any download issues.
Hi im new to leds i have purchased 2 600 watt galaxyhydro 9 band lights so far im very satisfied i have 4 more weeks left in flower phase very sticky awsome smell. I’ve orderd your bible several times and i never seem to get it i would really like to have the bible simply because i love reading about mary jane its my favorite thing in the world to do i love growing can i please get a copy
The best about leds I had read, the important points and details, thanks!
Very informative and interesting read. Thanks!