CFL bulbs compared to LED bulbs

[Grow4r]

I would like to cut down on some heat in my small closet grow space by switching from CFL bulbs to same wattage equivalent LED light bulbs. How do they compare to CFL’s. Do LED bulbs have to be kept at the same distance away as dedicated LED grow lights so as not to cause burn to the buds?

[9fingerleafs]

I got no idea but when you find out I would like to know too

[DrPhoton]

It may be likely that you have to have the luminaire a little bit further away, as not only are optics and diffusors part of the equation, but now also the increased efficiency which can add more overall light. I have several 19W LEDS which are used for propagation and they require some added distance.

It will have to be an experiment game unless you have a light metric tool such as a lux or quantum meter.

[Flockshot]

Your LED lights will need to be significantly farther from the plants than your CFL's. Your manufacturer will tell you the distance to start at, and then you can adjust as the plants react.

[9fingerleafs]

i think hes talking about those household leds with a white round cap you take off

[Flockshot]

OK, thanks.

[Grow4r]

That is correct. I was wondering if they will work as well as CFL's in a small space.

[9fingerleafs]

im sure theyll work very well, just how many bulbs and how far away is what we all would like to know, like dan said the experimenting game is the only way

[NAKEDGARDENER]

I use these 45 w spot LED from full spectrum solutions, I use em as propation lights in a row on a light track bar, at this time using them as additional side lighting to focus some light to the lower tops. They give only about 900 lumens per bulb but do make great lamps for propagation and give off little heat so I can put them fairly close but not too close. It’s what I grew those three under for about 6 weeks in a small tent.

[9fingerleafs]

a regular 30 what CFL puts out 1600 lumens. could yours be 45W equivalent but using less real whats? i think they use around 10 or 12 watts

[NAKEDGARDENER]

Yes they are small wattage this is why they’re output is so small. Yet I find them very useful in a very small grow op.

[Grow4r]

I switched the CFL’s to 4-100watt equivalent (1500 lumens each) and 8 - 600 watt equivalent (800 lumens each). All are soft white 2700k. The grow space is definitely cooler. Right now they are about 4” from the tops.

[Flockshot]

Please keep us posted on how well they do the job for you.

[Grow4r]

This is only my second plant and it’s now turned into an experiment in progress. It went hermie on me and since I only have one plant I didn’t want to trash it. The buds are into their fourth week and are pretty skinny but getting frosty. I just hope they’re going to fatten up. My first plant was all CFL and for my first time I was pleased with the results.

[Cloud]

Ive been thinking of doing this for early veg. So yes keep us updated pls

[Grow4r]

I'm a week in and so far no adverse effects. I'm keeping them about the same distance away as the CFL's that I was using. The temperature in the growing space is cooler. Just wish it didn't hermie on me.

[Cloud]

That sucks man I know how you feel. All 9 of my first grow hermi on me. On my second grow now and so far no nanners.

[Grow4r]

Here's a follow-up. I did have many buds both on the tops of the plant as well as the bottom turn brown on me. I'm not sure if it is light burn or nutrient, since there was a lot on the bottom I'm suspecting it was more nutrient related. Looking back although I didn't use as much nutrients per the directions in the mix, I probably feed them too often. I went back and looked at pictures that I took before changing the bulbs and did see some browning on the leaf tips, I think it just got out of control.
I do like that the bulbs had really cut down the temperature of my small grow space. Since this plant turned out to be more of an experiment since going hermie I am now taking some of the new seeds and going to sprout them and grow a few small plants, like go into the 12/12 light cycle after 2-3 weeks. This was plant was a sativa (unbeknownst to me) and really stretched so it got to the limit that I could raise my lights. My suggestion if you do try the LED bulbs is to keep them farther from the plant and just monitor the progress. I really don't think there is anything wrong with them if you are only growing a plant or two.