I do not want to get into a political debate here, but if you need to grow medical marijuana, I am not going to judge you. I know there are other reasons to use LED grow lights, of course, but I want to zero in on using these types of lights for indoor grow operations.

LED growing lights are not new, but the technology has come a long way over the years. Many still use traditional HID grow lights for their indoor hydroponic operations, but there are quite a few advantages to using an LED grow light.

Benefits of Using LED Grow Lights

If you have never grown marijuana indoors before or have used old HID grow lights, we are going to break down some of the main reasons you need to go with an LED grow light operation for all your hydroponic needs.

• Energy Efficient - Even if you do not understand the technology and science (I am not going to bore you with all the specifics here), you should realize that LED lights for growing marijuana are much more efficient than other bulbs used for indoor growing.
• Less Equipment – If you want a smaller footprint with less fans and other things that are typically needed with an HID grow operation, LED is the way to go. There is really nothing simpler to set-up and start using right away whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower.
• Long Lasting – If you like to stretch your dollars so you can enjoy them on the finer things in life, you should think about LED grow lights. Not only do they use less energy and require less accessories to maintain, they last longer which means less money out of your pocket over time. Imagine the savings and what you can do with them.
• Extra Efficient - Yes, there is a normal level of efficient, but an LED grow light can be thought of as extra efficient. While this may not be scientific, you should trust me when I say that beyond being energy efficient, LED grow light panels are efficient in other ways as well.

Why Buy an LED Grow Light Online

Here is a quick rundown of why you should buy your next LED grow lights bulbs online.

• Discreet - If you would rather not go to a public place to buy your LED marijuana grow lights, buying online can give you the privacy you demand. You will need to use a credit card, of course, but you can be sure that your information will be protected and kept safe.
• Secure - Going along with the discreetness factor, you should also think about how secure and safe it is to buy online these days. This is another reason many people (including myself) decide to buy LED grow lights online.
• Selection - Another reason you should shop for a marijuana LED grow light online is that there is a much larger selection.  From brands to styles to sizes, when you shop for LED light panels online, you are going to have a much larger selection.
• Convenience - Let’s be honest here. There is nothing better than being able to sit back and shop on your computer while you “relax” in your own home. This is perhaps the best type of shopping because you can satisfy your munchies at the same time.

There are at least a trillion other reasons to buy you LED grow lights online. Okay, maybe not quite that many. When you sit down and actually think about it, however, you are going to quickly realize (like I did) that buying hydroponic LED grow lights online is the way to go.

All About LED Grow Light Panels

Here are some things you need to think about when deciding which LED grow light to buy.

• Size - You can go as small as 6″x6″ or as large as 4′x4′ when you buy an LED grow light panel. If you are currently using HID grow lights, you may want to get a slightly larger LED array. Or, if you are thinking about expanding your operation, getting a new LED light system that is larger can really increase your harvest.
• Intensity - No matter what size of LED grow light you go with, you want to make sure the intensity level of the light is CONSISTENT all over the panel. If a seller does not have this information handy, you may want to be careful about dealing with them.
• Spectrum - The spectrum of light that reaches your plants is important. Not all LED grow lights are created equal, so you really need to look closely at the light spectrum that hits your marijuana.

There are other considerations you should make, but those two are important. Next we are going to take a quick look at some of the major brands available with quick LED grow light reviews.

1. 357 Magnum LED Grow Lights - While you may not have heard about these guys yet, you need to know the name if you are serious about using LED grow lights for hydroponic operations. The light is very efficient and will keep your costs down while providing a high-quality light to your precious plants.
2. Prosource - The Illuminator 350W Pro-Series Hybrid is okay in our opinion, but I was not blown away to be honest. This may be because I have dealt with Prosource in the past for LED grow lights, but there is something to be said about their products.
3. Hydro Grow LED – This is another well known brand of LED grow lights, and they do have a few really great light systems and set-ups. You really have to look at their prices sometimes, however, which can be a hassle if you suffer from short-term memory loss and forget the budget you gave yourself!

Still not convinced? I would drop my personal cell phone number here so you could call me to chat about it a bit while enjoying the harvest, but the spammers would pick it up quick, so I cannot do that. (Do NOT ask if I have done this before.) In all seriousness, if you are serious about your crops – especially if you are growing marijuana – buying LED grow lights online is the right choice … all the way.

Drop any questions you have in the comments below and I’ll respond!

Original post: Buying LED Grow Lights Online
LED Grow Lights

New Developments

It is never easy to introduce new technology, and LEDs are becoming more traditional as time goes on. In today’s modern times, they are not only regarded as alternatives to HID lights, but they are considered a means to grow more vegetation in a smaller space. The main benefits of the lights are their ability to emit precise wavelengths. This means that a greater amount of light can be absorbed by each plant in comparison to HID lights. In addition, they have the ability to convert such light into energy through photosynthesis. When it comes to successful growth of vegetation, this energy is essential.

One should not center his or her research on comparisons or specific brands. Rather, the focus should be placed on the LED grow lights’ advantages and their unusual features. It is also important for customers to learn about all the recent technological developments, as such information is vital to those whose goal is to grow large, healthy plants.

A Shift in Theory

Those who grow indoor plants have had limited choices in the past four decades with regard to the lighting available for such projects. However, the common goal of all such individuals is to find a way to mimic the effect of natural sun light on indoor crops. Sunlight is obviously the most vital consideration with regard to the successful growing of plants. In order for photosynthesis to take place, sunlight is essential.

Most people are aware of the fact that sunlight is considered white light, which is contains wavelengths from the entire continuum of visible light including gamma, infrared and unseen light. This is what traditional grow lights try to mimic. However, this attempt has enjoyed only limited success due to the fact that the lights are virtually ineffective for their intended purpose. The light needs of all plants vary from one to another. For example, orchids need a different type of light than would be required for the successful growth of cannabis. However, almost all plants can grow to a certain degree with only a limited range of light. This is due to the wide range of chemicals and conversions used in the photosynthesis process. When measured against HID bulbs that only give 15 percent of photosynthesis light, LEDs have an obvious advantage as they emit between 90 and 99 percent of the light emitted during photosynthesis.

This results in a need to change from traditional growing methods, nutrient requirements, water needs, and light cycles. This does not mean there is a requirement for one to make drastic changes, rather he or she must simply change the light cycles by a several hours or just alter the growing environment slightly.

One may also find that he or she must make certain changes to the growing cycle, vegetative and flowering periods. Seed packets typically include instructions for growing plants, whether one plans do complete his or her project outdoors or indoors. A notable example is cannabis seeds because of the fact that they feature a variety of strains, all of which have distinct growing requirements. If a person buys the seeds it is essential to observe that it is typically assumed HID lighting will be used, and such lights are not the same as LED lighting. LED grow lights offer up to eight times the times the lighting provided by HIDs. This is what make the altering of former techniques necessary, with regard to the successful growth of indoor plants. Some individuals may be under the impression that it is more difficult to use LED lights as opposed to conventional HID models; however, this is not true. In reality, all it is a new method that is far more effective and comes highly recommended. Anyone considering growing cannabis may wish to consider the following:

Spectrum And Wavelength Considerations

The aforementioned lights were initially designed very simply. They essentially covered one red and one blue light band. Typically, the red lights help with the plants’ flowering and the blue light is necessary for the growth of vegetation. While the initial designs did produce such light, it was not efficient. After decades of study it became obvious to manufacturing companies that two bands of light were not adequate for ideal plant growth. Research showed that additional light would be necessary, especially when in order to peak the efficiency of photosynthesis.

It is recommended that one invest in and thoroughly read the best weed growing guide that can be found online. This guide can also be acquired in the 420 and High Times Magazine.

Throughout the last several years, an apparent shift has taken place from blue and red LED grow lights to the eleven band, six band, and three band lights. One can even locate companies that sell full spectrum and white lights. From the evidence presented in recent research, it is obvious that all that is necessary to produce good plants is an orange light band, two red light bands and two blue light bands.

This means that six band and eleven band LEDs are essentially a backward step toward the inefficient HID lights. This is due to the fact that such lights rely heavily on white light, making them somewhat inefficient. It is also essential to understand that the effectiveness of HID lights are only approximately fifteen percent, because a large percentage of the light is either lost or simply cannot be used efficiently. This type of light is similar to that which is produced by white LEDs or full spectrum lights.

The Manufacturing of Inefficient Lights

Many individuals ask themselves why certain manufacturers still insist on producing lights that are not highly efficient. The answer is that the majority of manufactures do not conduct adequate research. Many modern companies simply tell customers what they want to hear or hire marketing companies to do this, even though little of what is stated in such add campaigns is true. For this reason it is imperative that one ask for proof of the manufacturer’s claims or inquire about the return policy.

Micro Grows and Commercial Cannabis Grows

Currently, most individuals that post comments on internet forums are of the opinion that LEDs work ideally with Sea of Green or other micro grows, as well as methods where the focal point is on a short growing period. After which one may opt for an extended flowering stage. The end result of such a growing cycle is a plant that has a few branches, a single cola, and a short stature. Numerous individuals have reported that when this method is used, one can produce over four grams of cannabis per watt, which is outstanding when one considers the fact that the plant is being grown indoors with artificial light. However, the facts still remain that these types of lighting systems are not wholly efficient when the motive is commercial planting and growing. Simply put, one cannot maintain and grow large trees for the intent of entering the medical marijuana industry.

Although that is the general consensus, there are some individuals who are of the opinion that such lighting systems actually can be used to grow and cultivate the cannabis plant on commercial levels. A perfect example of this is when one considers the hydroponic tomato harvesting project that is taking place right now in certain parts of the state of New Hampshire. They are essentially making use of LED lighting on a regular basis. Farmers who are embracing this method are actually saving as much as 50 percent on their electric bills through the use of LEDs. When the energy costs are calculated, farmers enjoy average savings of about $500 per month. The results of such reports and research makes it easy to see why switching to LEDs is a worthwhile endeavor.

Grow Areas and Watts

There are specific claims that most manufacturing companies will probably move away from in the coming years. These include the theory that a ninety watt light can be compared to a four-hundred watt HPS or a three-hundred watt model which can produce up to one-thousand HID watts. Most manufacturing companies will probably also have re-work their area in order to elaborate on what those who grow plants can produce with a ninety watt LED, including the vegetative stages, the kind of plant, the strain of cannabis, the plants’ height and their quantity. It is essential for the consumers to make comparisons.

To make the project easier, a grow space of two by two or less for a ninety watt light is recommended. This is for vegetative and flowering cannabis stages. When it comes to the growing space this can be compared with a two-hundred and fifty watt HID light, as this type of light will provide the grower with an average savings in power consumption of about sixty percent. However, if lettuce is what one chooses to grow, he or she should increase the light coverage four by four, as the light requirements to grow lettuce differ vastly from the requirements for growing cannabis. In addition, in order to grow lettuce, no flowering stage is necessary. Due to these various technical specifications, manufacturing companies should properly explain what such specs actually mean,but this is not always the case. Therefore consumers must conduct their own research before making a decision to buy a particular light.

In Summary

It is recommended that one ask the appropriate questions in order to gain a better understanding about LED grow lights. Such questions can be directed to the LEDs manufacturers in which one is interested. A comment or question can also be placed at the bottom of this page. If the manufacturer does not offer a satisfactory answer to the question, it is best to move on to another supplier who will. There are individuals whose aim is to simply make money rather than provide a quality product. If this is the case, they will be hesitant to clarify certain information. However, it is important for one not to judge all companies by his or her experience with just one. There are many of legitimate companies from which to choose who will provide the vital facts about their products to interested consumers.

In the very near future, many new, legitimate industry leaders will come to the forefront offering quality products to their patrons. However, there will always be more companies in business that are just out to make quick cash. Before the year ends, it is conceivable that the general public will find fewer true suppliers than currently exist. However, the good one’s will be more efficient and stronger. The bottom line is that each customer should complete his or her own research before choosing a product or selecting a company with which to do business.

Original post: LED Grow Lights Review 2011
LED Grow Lights

The Beginners Guide to Growing Weed Indoors

Much of the focus in the beginning was based on finding a quality place that provided the seeds, lighting needs and so on. My knowledge on the subject was basic, just enough to get things going for any interested party. As time passed, however, my knowledge on the subject did not suffice because people asked more difficult and complex questions that I did not have the answers to. In order to provide more information to the valued members of my site, I did some more in-depth research. In essence, anyone can start such a plant, but it takes commitment and solid knowledge to maintain it so that it provides the highest quality bud. I searched long and hard to find reliable sources that were completely trustworthy in delivering up-to-date information. As I gained a greater understanding of it, I learned the latest techniques that are involved in producing the best plant.

Required Steps to Grow Weed - An In-Depth Guide to MMJ Growing

My research proof that all the information required to successfully grow a healthy plant that delivers a high quality bud exists for free online. However, it requires a lot of research, and a lot of it can be done on cannabis forums. Lots of things are explained their such as starting the seeds, growing them, their flowering, the lighting, the perfect temperature and so on.

In truth, it took me forever to amass this information because it was always hidden in far too much useless information. I literally spent weeks reading threads on forums and trying to get information from other sites. I was determined, however, to find out this information and supply it to my readers. Of course, I also discovered that this is a time-consuming process and I am investing a great deal of my time where I could have been spending it elsewhere making money.

My research brought me to bookstores and Amazon where I did discover some quality writings on the subject, but they lacked in different ways. For one thing, some of the information was not entirely divulged, either intentionally or not. More often than not, all the sources were informative but badly put together, making it difficult to understand because they were not organized. I found myself going back and forth within each book to list the information as necessary. At the end of the day, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack, continuously wasting my time.

Growing Elite Marijuana

The sources I researched were completely different but there was so much wasted information in them that reading them was an endless task. Thankfully, all the information was readily available and fairly easy to understand. Then, when I applied my knowledge to the recipe, it was as easy as pie. The sales pitch is the book itself and people only need to find the website to be convinced.

What Information is Provided in the Book

Below is a summary of the information that is provided in Growing Elite Marijuana:

• Marijuana Facts and History
• Which is Better, Soil or Hydroponics
• Choosing Between Strains
• Choosing the Right Indoor Seed Strains
• Understanding What Is the Best Party Weed or the Best for Medicinal Purposes
• How to Find a Repeatable Seed Bank
• How to Determine the Sex of the Plant and the Use of Hermaphrodites
• Discovering the Best Lighting Systems for Indoor Growing
• How to Germinate Seeds
• How to Use Soil to Grow It
• Methods Used in Cloning
• How to Grow Hydroponic Weed
• Learning the Possibility of Growing It Outdoors
• Techniques Used in Maintenance
• How and When To Harvest
• How to Dry and Cure

I invite you to take the time to research the subject in depth on your own and you will see that Growing Elite Marijuana is the best information that you can find. Consider just how much money you spend on buying this product from others, which is very often less than mediocre will in quality and how you could grow yourself successfully to save money and to enjoy some of the best weed you have ever tried.

It is a money back guarantee offer. If you have not been totally satisfied by the contents of the book, you will get your money back, all of it without any questions asked.

As a customer, when you purchase the book you will also benefit from receiving some others for free. The titles of these some of the bonus books are as follows:

• Stoner’s Cookbook
• Cannabis Care Manual
• Ultimate String Guide
• Ganja Etiquette
• Quick Start Guide

Original post: The Beginners Guide To Growing Marijuana Indoors
LED Grow Lights

A guide to LED grow lights: lumens, is a necessity when you are starting your own indoor garden. A lumen is a popular term used to describe a grow light’s relative intensity. For many years, this word has denoted a growth measuring standard for HPS (high pressure sodium) and MH (metal halide) lighting systems. This standard is not, due to a growing misuse of the terminology over the past thirty years. This guide will help you understand the correct meaning and usage of lumen and related terms. It will give you better knowledge to the features and pitfalls of any grow lights you are considering. You can get the best lighting available for less of your money.

Lumens, Lux, and Radiant Flux

Lux and lumens indicate the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source. Lux is the number of lumens over an area of space. These measurements are with LED and HID (high intensity discharge) light manufacturers. (HID refers both to HPS and MH types of lighting.) They are used to give customers a reference by which the brilliance of different bulbs can be compared. While the lumen output of lamps have to be clearly stated their labels by law in many places, it is not the number you necessarily want to go by. Radiant flux explains a particular light’s full range of wavelengths regardless of whether they are visible to the human eye or not. While a higher lumen rating may indicate that a light will produce better, bigger, and faster plant growth, this is not necessarily the case.

The contention with the terminology is that it is misleading for someone looking to grow plants indoors. Your plants do not have eyes. They do not care only about the visible lightwaves. Natural sunlight is the best growth enhancer available. Sunlight is very bright and brilliant, but it also contains wavelengths of light that humans cannot see.

Grow lights should go by the standard set by the sun. You want the power or radiant flux of your grow light more than the number of lumens or lux.

For Incredible Plant Growth

Be aware that plants do not use 80 percent of this visible light available. So when manufacturers rank their grow light bulbs by lumens or with photograph images of how bright their bulbs are, it is a rather deceptive sales tactic. You want to know what the different wavelengths are that a grow light emits, because brighter lighting does not guarantee bigger or stronger plant growth.

The Right Reasons For Choosing LED Grow Lights

Grow lights are an expensive investment. LED grow lights are even more so than the HPS and MH lights upfront. Once you understand how to get past those lumen claims listed, there are other factors and features to choose by. You have the spectra and power level that you need for the specific plants you will be growing. Now consider the following: operating costs, bulb replacement costs, light coverage to space ratio and the other costs associated with operating an indoor growing garden that do not pertain to the lights themselves.

LED For Expense And Environmental Efficiency

The cost of LED systems seems quite more in comparison to the other types of grow lights available. There are hidden costs associated with the other types of lighting. The LED is a cooler operating bulb. You do not need to use ballasts (which keep the lighting system components cooler and help extend the life of other types of bulbs). Ballasts cost around a hundred dollars and they make noise while in operation. LEDs have cooler operating temperatures which saves you 70 to 80 percent in energy costs, while maintaining quiet operation.

The average LED bulb lasts anywhere between 7 to 10 years. Other higher intensity bulbs last a lesser number of years, while needing ballasts to keep them cool and you have to worry about burning your plants if bulbs are placed too close. There is none of this worry with LED grow lights. You do not need this Guide to LED Grow Lights: Lumens to understand that less supporting equipment to buy, less energy to operate, and more years before replacement means more savings in your pocket.

Original post: Guide To LED Grow Lights: Lumens, Lux And Radiant Flux
LED Grow Lights

Many hobbyists are discarding former lighting systems and are now favoring the new LED lighting. Growers have found that LED grow lights are proving efficient for indoor farming and greenhouses while saving energy. Almost any plant can be grown with LED lighting, including exotic breeds such as cannabis, along with spices, herbs and the more familiar tomatoes and other kitchen staples. No-one really knows how many people use this site for controversial pursuits, right along with those who have benign purposes in using the LED Grow Lights Growers guide.

Disclaimer:

Illegal conduct is NOT encouraged through this site. My mission as the owner is to give helpful general gardening information and share the knowledge I have. Growing cannibis, therefore, is only supported for the few exceptions where it is upheld by law for medicinal purposes. It is the responsibility of all visitors to this site to become familiar with their local laws before they employ the gardening techniques found here.

Let us proceed to the topic at hand now that we have everything clear. Both the manufacturers of the artificial grow lights and this website take the stand that this information is only for those involved in legitimate ventures of growing certain plants. We will now all move forward since everyone has been properly informed.

Coverage Area Truth

In order to attract as many customers as possible, some companies use a lot of hype in advertising their products. This is an unfortunate development by many manufacturers of grow lights who make claims concerning the lights’ coverage area that are unrealistic and cannot be managed in real life. In the long run, this leads to many unhappy customers even though it gives the company higher profits in the short term. Consumers who are dissatisfied are more likely to complain to others about their unhappy experience with their purchases, than are those who are pleased with their transactions. The result is a great deal of bad reviews and negative comments that could have been prevented if the companies were honest. Low power LED panels seem to attract the most negative rants. Instead of making the most loyal of their niche markets their focus, some companies want to cast a wide net in order to get more immediate business.

Anyone serious about increasing a legal cannabis farming harvest should study the topic in the reliable LED Grow Lights Growers Guide found at: www.howtogrowweed420.com. The guide is the undisputed authority on this subject.

Coverage Area Issues

The width where the grow lights will be effective depend on factors such as the needs of the individual plant group, the total power, from what angle the light shines on the plants, the lighting fixture’s design, the manufacturer of the LED panel and each diode’s power rating, among many other elements.

How the light is meant to be used has the greatest impact on the coverage area. Study carefully the effective area, as advertised, of a certain panel and use it as an illustration. The rating most likely applies to the time during which the plants are trying to grow, called the vegetative stage. Plants need only a bit of light during their early stages, but a much higher intensity is required during their fruitful flowering stage and not all LED lights are able to provide enough intensity at this stage. For this reason, it is important to use a bit of skepticism regarding fantastic claims boasting of coverage spanning 16 cubic feet with just a 90-watt LED panel. It would lead to great power savings if this were possible.

However, be aware that this would be the best case scenario and refers only to the vegetative stage. It may be sufficient for a few fruits and vegetables such as a lettuce crop, for instance. A low power device may satisfy farmers trying to grow crops such as these indoors. Cannabis, however, will need to have much more light as it is a demanding plant.

Weak Lights not for Large Areas

People who make the switch to LED after using HID lamps and having the results seen from the high intensity source, are usually less than satisifed with the LED grow lights, as they almost always experience quite a drop in their yields. Another problem is that the crops appear healthy and large, but prove to be lightweight buds since they have had light exposure that was insufficient.

The LED Grow Lights Growers Guide reminds people to carefully watch the buds for any malnutrition signs while plants are in the flowering stage. If they do not have sufficient light exposure, they may look frail, thin or dry. It is important to be realistic about the expectation of the lights’ coverage area and make the necessary adjustments.

Checking the manufacturer’s claims and then reducing the widths by half is a good idea. This means that a 90w light advertised as coverage for a 4X4 foot lot should really be used on a 2X2 foot lot. If this is done, it will provide more concentration of light to reach the plants and will result in a much better yield.

LED Grow Lights Growers Guide 

Although all factors affecting the ideal coverage area size has been mentioned, a more in-depth discussion is warranted. Every grower needs a copy of the LED Grow Lights Growers Guide to be sure of having everything needed for the most optimal yields from all plants.

Original post: LED Grow Lights Growers Guide Necessary For Gardeners
LED Grow Lights

To be successful with hydroponics, you will need a decent amount of light. Unfortunately, deciding how much this is might be challenging, as the needs of each plant varies. Some will need lots of light, while others may need very little. If you cannot give your plants natural sunlight, you will have to use a LED grow light. Of course, before you make any final purchasing decisions, you should look at a well-written LED grow light review.

A good LED grow light review should discuss the technology surrounding the bulbs. The watt is the unit of energy used to denote how much light a bulb can hold. So, a 500-watt bulb would produce more light than one that was 90 watts. However, when it comes to plant absorption, both lights would be the same. As such, many in the hydroponics world believe that a larger wattage is irrelevant. In some ways their thoughts are true, but if a light offers more wattage, it tends to last longer than one offering less.

And all LED lights, regardless of their wattage will ALWAYS be better than HID units (which are another type of light used in hydroponics). In general, HID lights produce 20 percent less electricity than LED versions. Plus, they cannot be self-contained like LEDs. When you use a LED grow light, you will not have to use cooling fans or other expensive equipment; it can be used as-is.

Next, there is the issue of brand. A well-written LED grow light review should talk about all the different varieties of lights out there. One of the most popular units is the UFO light. While it might have a funny name, the light works really well for those growing medical marijuana. If such an activity is not legal in your area (or you do not possess the necessary credentials), you can still use UFO lights to grow plants with similar properties. In addition, with these lights, you can adjust not only the bulb’s temperature, but also the level of light it produces.

The Benefits of UFO Lighting – An Important Point in the LED Grow Light Review

* Functions on 90 watts

* It produces a decent amount of heat; you will not have to worry about evaporation or burnt plant

* It does not emit waste lighting in the locations where you do not have plants

* The color is appropriate for the temperature you are using

* UFO lights yield plants with thicker, healthier foliage (as they have big blossoms and better yields)

* The light can be adjusted based on the species of plant that you are growing

The last point is especially important, as you cannot assume all lights work the same. For the best results, you must understand what your plants need. A short, busy plant will not have the same concerns as foliage from a larger species.

UFO lights use a very basic combination of colors (a fact that should be detailed in even the most basic LED grow light review). As such, you have to think about your plant’s requirements before making a selection. In addition to different growing needs, no two species of plants will respond the same way to your environment. You must buy your lights based on what you have set up. Your operational procedures will also matter… at least when it comes to choosing a panel. Some setups will work with on; others may need a variety of colors to achieve an appropriate light frequency.

If you are still confused, do not worry. If an LED grow light review does not give you the information you need, consider taking advantage of my free consultation. I will give suggestions based on YOUR setup. Should you need changes, I will design them for you.

Do Not Buy a Cheap Imitation

If an LED grow light review is objective, it should discuss the dangers of cheap imitations. Many people have ruined their results using these lights. Because the bulbs were too cheap, the plants did not receive enough light to grow.

True, when you purchase a high-quality LED grow light, you will be paying more than if you purchased an HID equivalent. However, as technology improves, the price difference becomes less noticeable. Also, since the LED light uses less power, they will help keep your utility bills down. On top of that, the LED light does not need any extra mechanisms for operation.

To recap, an inexpensive grow light costs less because it does not offer the same amount of power. At most, you might get 0.06 watts from these types of units, if they are sold individually. So, if your panel can handle 225 LED bulbs, you would only get 14 watts if all of the bulbs were 0.06 watts. The only time that this could even work is if your lights are less than 6 inches away. In any other situation, they will not work.

In a normal hydroponic facility, you would need at least 12 of these units to grow your plants. All of the species would have to not exceed 4 inches in height.

A decent LED light should have a bulb that can produce 1 watt or more. At this amount, a single unit could light an area as large as 5×5 feet… if the plants are short. If the plants are larger, 1-watt bulbs would light an area that is 3×3 feet. At this distance, the lights could penetrate a thick canopy of blossoms and leaves.

Finally, an LED grow light review should tell you if your situation even warrants a light at all. Many growers prefer natural sunlight. For very small hydroponic systems, this will work, but it might not be enough for a larger system. Fortunately, there are many affordable units you can use… units that will not make sacrifices on quality. If the author of an LED grow light review does their homework, they should be able to name these units off the top of their head. If not, just move on to the next one until you find the information that you need.

Original post: The UFO LED Grow Light Review – Why It Matters
LED Grow Lights

Understanding the terms these marketers use and knowing if they truly apply to the product will assist customers in making a truly informed purchase decision. Two of these terms used in descriptions of grow lights are wavelength and spectrum. The following are explanations of what is important in LED grow lights.

Facts about the Spectrum of Light for LED Grow Lights

When discussing light and its various qualities, it is necessary to know something about its spectrum or spectra (the correct plural form of the word spectrum). The word spectrum refers to the wavelengths of all the visible light and invisible light composing the whole electro-magnetic field of light. This spectrum consists of energy or radiation (originating from gamma rays), ultraviolet light, infrared light, x-rays, radio waves, microwaves, and visible light.

Grow lights work primarily through emitting the visible spectrum of light. These lights occasionally also make use of ultraviolet spectra and infrared spectra in their work.

Facts about the Wavelength of Light for LED Grow Lights

Like the waves of water, light waves have peaks and troughs. The distance between the peaks of the wave and the troughs of the wave is referred to as the wavelength. Light wavelength is also similar to water wavelength in that its peaks will either be grouped close together or a good distance apart. Wavelengths actually determine the color one sees. Long ones are seen as red and shorter ones are visualized as blue. Each of the colors existing in the spectra of light is measured on a range from 780 nanometers (red) all the way down to 380 nanometers(seen as violet/blue).

Botanists and other scientists, through various research studies, have learned that the complete spectrum of visible light is necessary for providing the energy that plants must have in order to drive their photosynthesis process. This research is the basis for identifying the spectra needed in LED grow lights.

How LED Grow Lights Affect Plant Growth

Plants have been observed to respond to certain ends of the visible light spectrum. High pressure sodium lights gravitate more to the yellow and red end of the spectrum and metal halide lights to the blue end, but still emit the full visible spectrum of light. Common incandescent light bulbs used in homes also emit a full light spectrum with some colors more prominent than others. Plants are now known to respond to all light in some way, but they get the greatest benefits from many blue and red wavelengths. Conversely, the greens and yellows give them the least benefit. (The majority of this wavelength of light is reflected back to the light source by the plants who are themselves these colors.)

When LED grow lights were first manufactured, it was erroneously believed that one band each of blue and red light were all the wavelengths necessary to enhance plant growth; that when the proper growth conditions were included along with the light, success was sure. This apparently produced some success under certain conditions in limited testing. However, it failed completely when applied outside those conditions in general use. That did not cause manufacturers to end their production of these grow lights in the early days. These ineffective lights continued to be sold for a while longer before they were taken off the market. The reputation of grow lights still suffers from the stigma of this today.

The Necessary Composition of Wavelengths and Spectra for Effective LED Grow Lights

Manufacturers with vision and foresight continued to see the potential for LED technology use for plant growth in spite of the mistakes the early manufacturers made. They noticed that the general public still maintained an interest in LED technology also. They realized the first manufacturers had been partly successful through their understanding of the role of blue and red light. Continuing their research from that point, it was found that the use of other wavelengths to address the failings of the early LED lights was necessary.

With the observation of a PAR chart, it was noted that plants obtained nearly all the energy for their photosynthesis process from key areas on the light spectrum. Further testing was completed and demonstrated that three distinct individual peaks of light spectra are needed (red, blue and a smaller peak of orange) for five total bands of light wavelengths.

In the final analysis, scientists learned that the light spectrum’s blue end aids plant growth with the result being strong and healthy plants with great foliage. The same spectrum’s red and orange lights are necessary for the flowering and growth of fruits and the production of dense budding partially produced by the blue light.

The Potential Future of LED Grow Lights

Many manufacturers still market and promote their various full spectrum and LED lights while others are focused on refining today’s newest technology. Most people understand that full spectrum HID lights are neither efficient nor effective, regardless of companies that continue to promote them. Others feel LED grow lights are successfully providing the exact wavelengths needed for plant photosynthesis. Still others believe the potential addition of excessive bands of LED light is a move in the wrong direction.

This fairly new industry will no doubt continue to use the results of scientific studies to hone and improve any LED grow lights technology for some time to come. True opportunities for innovation in this field are available and will guide the industry’s future.

Original post: Understanding How Wavelengths And Spectrums Relate To LED Grow Lights
LED Grow Lights

What is the Illuminator Light and what can it do for you?

The first Illuminator was introduced on the market about two years ago. The Illuminator immediately became the market leader as far as innovation and technology was concerned in the grow light industry. The biggest advantage to the Illumionator was the fact that it used an orange wavelength of light that resulted in plants having more robust blooming cycles and better growth when compared to standard grow lights.

Why is five wavelengths of light in the Illuminator better than three?

The proprietary technology behind the production of five wavelengths in the Illuminator Grow Lights is complex and thus more information can be found on Illuminator’s website. Because plants use more than one wavelength of light to sustain their biological processes, the ability to provide five instead of three wavelengths is crucial to having a healthy plant that thrives.

What is this proprietary technology that make the Illuminator so effective?

Proprietary technology means that a buyer can not find similar technology in other led grow lights on the market. The Illuminator has patented technology that other manufacturers can not copy. No other grow lights can match the effectiveness of the Illuminator.

What is the relationship between plant growth and the type of light?

Plants tend to absorb most wavelengths of light except for green and yellow. These green and yellow wavelengths are reflected back away from the plant and are the colors we perceive the plants to be.

Light wavelengths of blue, orange, and red are the most useful to plants for them to efficiently carry out the process of photosynthesis. Yellow and green wavelengths do not provide much in the way of energy.

Any grow lights that include light from the yellow and green wavelengths are just wasting energy on light that is not even being used by the plant. The Illuminator has been engineered to produce only those wavelengths that the plant can use. The results are plants that have extended blooming cycles, rapid and healthy growth, and remain healthy. Most other LED lights can not come close to this level of performance.

Here is some important information on the Five-Banded Illuminator and the Tri-Spectrum grow lights.

Because the Illuminator LED Lights have five wavelengths of light in the red, blue, and orange spectrums, plants are able to absorb almost 95% of the light that the lights produce. Most competing grow lights can only claim an absorption rate of around 15%.

Plants go through stages of growth just as animals due. Like animals, plants needed certain wavelengths of light at these particular stages of growth. The Illuminator optimizes it’s light production to cater to these different stages of growth making sure that the plant has more than adequate light to support itself during each growth stage.

Why Illuminator Lights are no longer taking a backseat to the sodium and metal halide grow lights.

Grow lights like the Illuminator that use LED technology have now made the expensive HID grow lights a thing of the past. Here are some first hand accounts from users of LED grow lights:

After purchasing his grow light in Delaware, Rodney simply said that these should be available to everyone. He has seen amazing results from his light and can not believe the difference in the growth and health of his plants. He gives the product and the company a top notch rating.

Lloyd, from Kentucky, says that these lights are remarkable. He has gotten some amazing results with his flowers. He had been waiting for a good grow light product for years. He rates Illuminator Lights with five stars and recommends them hands down over any other product on the market.

Brian from Ohio states that he will never purchase another type of grow light or HID ever again. He was previously having to use several different sources of light for his plants and was spending a large amount of money on light bulbs. Now he can use just one type of light and not be worried about the cost of replacing bulbs all the time. He also says that the customer service representatives were very friendly and helpful.

Our final account comes from Jeremy in New Hampshire. He purchased the Illuminator for his indoor herb garden and was very impressed with the results. He would recommend the product to anyone and commends the great support and customer service that the company provided. He says they were knowledgeable and helped him purchase the right light for his needs.

Where Can one go to buy a Tri-Spectrum or Five-Band Illuminator Light?

Illuminator Grow Lights can only be bought directly from the company. You will find a huge selection of styles, models, and light outputs to choose from. You can purchase everything from a nine watt UFO light all the way up to a 350 watt LED Illuminator. Just browse through the selection and make sure you choose the right light for your gardening needs.

Original post: Treat Your Plants To Illuminator LED Grow Lights
LED Grow Lights

A Comparison of 1W Versus 3W and Higher Ratings – Discover The Truth

Since the 3W bulb consumes more power, it is normal to assume that it should light brighter than the 1W bulb. While this may be true to some extent, there is more to the story. Three watt bulbs can outshine 1 Watt bulbs on a 3-to-1 basis. This is not to say that the 3 watt bulb is better than the 1 watt bulb, it simply means that one watt bulbs are less efficient compared to their three watt counterpart.

Use The Best Grow Lights If You Want To Grow Better Plants

If you intend to grow medical marijuana, grow lights will serve you very well. Medical marijuana is the only legally accepted form of weed in the US. However, grow lights are not the only requirement for growing weed. You will also need a green thumb. The good news is that there is enough information on the internet to help you establish your weed garden. One site that offers all the necessary information on weed growing is known as:www.howtogrowweed420.com

Grow Lights’ Efficiency

When it comes to brightness, the 1 watt bulb is better than the 3 watt bulb. This amazing fact can be attributed to the type of chips used in the two bulbs. The chips inside the LED modules usually radiate a lot of energy in order to function. While both the 3 watt and 1 watt lights cannot radiate 3 watts and 1 watt respectively, the difference between the two bulbs is in the amount of overhead they have. In other words, the 3 watt bulb lasts longer because it has more overhead.

To illustrate this, consider a 90W grow light that produces 80-85 watts when all the one watt LED bulbs are working. The 90W light would only produce 50-55W of energy if 3W bulbs were used instead of the one watt bulbs. In such a case, 1W bulbs are actually better because they radiate more energy. This is usually the case with all the LED grow lights that are available in the market. The higher the rating of LED bulbs used in a grow light, the less bright the light would be. All said and done, the most suitable grow light for growing medical marijuana is the 1W grow lamp.

Using 3W LED Grow Lamps

To the naked human eye, 3W bulbs look brighter. In fact, these bulbs have more penetrating energy compared to one watt bulbs. Therefore, these lights will give your plants better penetration. However, this depends on the quality of grow lights you procure.

Penetration Versus Efficiency

According to modern technology, 1W bulbs are more efficient than 3W bulbs. On the other hand, if you decide to use a 3 watt bulb, you will have better canopy penetration. This will make your weed healthier. That being said, you cannot have both characteristics with one lamp, you will have to sacrifice efficiency for energy or vice versa.

Efficiency and penetration aside, the choice of whether to use a 3 watt or a 1 watt bulb boils down to how you want your weed to be during harvesting. While most weed growers usually worry about canopy penetration, this factor is usually not very important. For instance, a 1 watt bulb is sufficient if you are growing your plants in your closet, regardless of whether you are using the SCROG or SOG techniques. However, if you want stickier buds and taller plants, you may want to consider using 3W bulbs.

The one and three watt bulbs can be compared to a garden hose. The one watt bulb is like a garden hose with two kinks, you will not get the same flow rate. On the other hand, the 3 watt bulb is like a garden hose without kinks and water flows though it without interruptions but is shorter than the one representing the one watt bulb. However, due to the intensity of light produced by the 3W bulb, these bulbs usually have a higher level of penetration. Generally, the 1W bulb is able to penetrate up to 4 inches of canopy while the 3 watt bulb can infiltrate more than 16 inches of canopy. If you base your argument penetration, it is very clear which grow lamp is better.

The main objective of doing research on the factors that affect the quality of grow lights is to make it easy for you to choose the best grow lamps for your indoor garden. Therefore, it is important that you use different resources to collect information that can help you to make an informed decision. You should also verify what manufacturers claim in their adverts. This is because all companies have one main objective and that is to increase sales. Therefore, you should never take what they say at face value.

This is the end of The LED Grow Lights Guide: 1W Versus 3W and Higher. This is only the first of the ongoing three part series. Be sure to make another visit for updates. More articles will be posted in the future, so be sure to check in regularly. Please share with your friends what you have learned or better yet, refer them to this article. You and your friends are free to grow weed provided you have fulfilled all the necessary conditions.

Original post: The LED Grow Lights Guide: 1W Versus 3W And Higher
LED Grow Lights