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Old December 6, 2018   #1
peppero
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Default led lights

Has anyone tried led lights on their seedlings? I was thinking of the common 60w replacement.


Jon

Last edited by peppero; December 6, 2018 at 09:26 PM. Reason: additional information
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Old December 6, 2018   #2
Goodloe
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I used a couple of "daylight" LED bulbs for the 1st time last year, they seemed to work pretty well. I just bought a LED grow light bulb for my Rooster Spur peppers that I'm growing inside, they seem to love it!

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Old December 6, 2018   #3
oldman
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I have used them the last couple years. They put out a fair amount of light without impacting the electric bill too much.

My setup was a 600w unit for four flats (20x10) on one big heat mat and two more groups of 4 with just the 600w led light. I went with full spectrum for all of them. The lights started about 20" above the flats and were raised as the plants grew. I did move flats around too so that it wasn't the same plants directly under the fixture all the time.

I gave them about 9 hours of light a day and had good germination and almost no seedling loss. I got a timer to use with the lights, but found it easier to just turn the power strip on and off myself. Supposedly the output from the LEDs will weaken over time, but I haven't seen any noticeable change.

The startup costs are steeper, but there aren't aren't bulbs to buy and the units are sturdier (but heavier) than fluorescent lights. Rather than hang mine I put them on wire mesh shelving which worked well for me.

There are some deals to be had on ebay., especially if you're willing to buy from a Chinese vendor and wait to have it shipped. Another possibility is police auctions. They occasionally show up there as impounded property of illegal pot growers.

Last edited by oldman; December 6, 2018 at 06:01 PM.
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Old December 7, 2018   #4
NicolasGarcia
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Hello, I am using this led lamp from a Chinese supplier. It is the first time I use it and I am waiting for results, according to the Chinese supplier:

Less than 400 nm: the absorption of chlorophyll is lower, which affects the effect of the photoperiod, to avoid elongation of the stem.

400-500nm: (Blue led light) High absorption by chorophyII and carotenoids, great influence on photosynthesis

Blue light: For the growth and absorption of plants. It can improve the activity of the chloroplast, to prevent the plant in spindle, but on the other hand, it will inhibit the photosynthesis, reason why the plant needs a lot of blue light.

500-600nm: Low absorption by pigments.

600-700nm: (Red led light) The absorption rate of ChorophyII is low, it has a significant effect on photosynthesis and the photoperiod effect For the flowering and fruiting of the plants, Promote the growth of the plants, germination, flowering , the results. The most dominant role during the addition of color in plants, accelerates photosynthesis.

More than 700nm: low absorption rate, stimulates cell expansion, affecting flowering and germination of seeds.
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Old December 7, 2018   #5
Cole_Robbie
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I think the white light from LED bulbs is made by combining blue, red, and green light. The plants won't absorb the green light, but they will see the red and blue.
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Old December 7, 2018   #6
maxjohnson
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You might want to give this AeroGarden 45w one a try. The price right now at $75 is as low as it has been, I might pick one up myself.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725QBG1G/

In the past, I've use the 30w version that is part of their hydroponic unit to successfully start tomato seedlings.

There's some cheaper Chinese alternative for sale, but most are pink/red tone. I like the fact these are white so less chance of a SWAT team busting through my door mistaking my tomato seedlings for cannabis.

Last edited by maxjohnson; December 8, 2018 at 12:20 AM.
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Old December 8, 2018   #7
biscuitridge
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Default DIY COB lights, cob stands for chip on board.

Here's what I use, each light is 50 watts on high,but you can dim them down a lot,lettuce doesn’t need super high lumens.
I can actually grow my organic lettuce cheaper than buying at the store.
I used these last winter and grew a tomato over 3 lbs. so they do work well.
They are eas to put together,the misc. wires you see are low voltage wire.
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Old December 9, 2018   #8
Greatgardens
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Default re: DIY COB lights, cob stands for chip on board.

Do you have any info/links where you bought your parts? That's quite a heat sink!


-GG
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Old December 9, 2018   #9
biscuitridge
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Rapidled,has everything that you need,let me know if I can be of any help.
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Old December 9, 2018   #10
NicolasGarcia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by biscuitridge View Post
Rapidled,has everything that you need,let me know if I can be of any help.

I am sorry, I do not understand
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Old December 9, 2018   #11
biscuitridge
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Maybe this will help, RAPID LED, is a led company that sells kits and parts to diy,just Google it.
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