I'm stumped!

[kenKgrow]

Do you mean I should look to the simple solution first? That's a good idea that I sometimes need help remembering...

[kenKgrow]

I bought one and it's up and running. Nice light!

[bboyfromwayback]

Yea they’re hard to beat. Some of the new leds are comparable but you MUST do the research before purchasing. With HPS you just go buy one based on wattage and they’re all the same. Cuts right through the crap

[Wolfe0420]

I love my HPS

[homegrown]

kenKgrow , i have to agree with everyone suggesting lights. I too had a similar issue with my last two grows..Early grows were really impressive with fairly large but really solid buds. Third grow i noticed more of airy bud on a couple of plants which i thought was just probably strain related. Last grow was the same, light and fluffy buds. Problem is, i never would have thought to check the lights cause they both worked on bloom and veg. Long story short...Santa brought me a new light and when i was putting the Viperspectra s away i noticed a pattern of bulbs were toasted! According to their website the bulbs in question are veg stage bulbs. So..get a flashlight, turn your lights off and see if there is any visible failures. Good luck. Plants are luving the new fusion board..

[Canuck147]

Beastie Boy has it right!

[dilvish]

You didn't mention if you start from seed. Perhaps I missed it but many seedbanks will admit if the seeds are old they will likely produce smaller yields. Of course different strains also make a difference too.
I would say that if nothing has changed in terms of light, heat and water (including humidity) and no other technical changes (pots, fans, ph testers etc.) then look to the source of the plant itself, the seeds.

I would assume that is where the problem is or that you have changed strains or both. Some strains, regardless of Auto or Photo, like moderate heat, some like high humidity, some like more arid conditions (Alaskan Purple), some like longer light periods(Northern Lights) etc. etc.

[YYCannabis]

Just a thought, but when was the last time you cleaned the lenses? I’m wondering if you have dirty lenses reducing light emission.

[bboyfromwayback]

I’d almost bet money it’s your light. You’ll be shocked at how much better the new full spectrum LED’s are compared to your old lights.

[bboyfromwayback]

https://www.amazon.com/Horticulture-Lighting-Group-High-Efficiency-Upgraded/dp/B07C59J8L2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=hlg+rspec&qid=1610395632&sr=8-4

That’s the one 95w draw will suit your needs in a budget. Always go with the rspec. Considering you can get great results vegging under a T5 I personally wouldn’t waste money on a veg light

[kenKgrow]

This the response that I got from HLG (within an hour of contacting them!!). "They both can be used for full cycle. But one offers better results in veg while the Rspec effects are better in flower."

Both of these lights are 95 actual watts and sell for $150 so I'm wondering if they are the ones you had in mind. That's less powerful than my original lights.You mentioned using 250w, but only 95?Their next light is $400 and draws 90-270 watts.

[thefunkdrspot]

I agree 100% with hlg. Check amazon for HLG 100 R Spec its $149 with prime or you can buy direct from hlg for the same price. If I were in the market for lights for a small enclosure Id cram as many of these as will fit. I just got the hlg 65 yesterday to replace a crappy 300w blurple in my veg tent. I was so impressed a second should be arriving any minute now to replace the other blurple in my veg tent lol

[kenKgrow]

Thanks, I'll check them out. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I seem to know just enough to get myself in trouble...

EDIT: I checked out the HLG site and couldn't find any lights that fit that description. Perhaps it's discontinued.
EDIT: The same model light that HLG lists as "VEG Spectrum" on their site is being sold on Amazon as "VEG & FLOWER".

[kenKgrow]

I've been searching the web trying to educate myself about LED grow light lifespans. On the Spectrum King site they tell you how long their lights will last. After 6.5 years at 12 hours per day (25,500 hours) the output is greater than 90% of it's original, and at 15 years it's at 70%

Those numbers are way better than I've seen elsewhere. I read various statements about this and most seem to say to change them every 4-5 years, depending on actual use. I've also seen a "rule-of-thumb" that they lose about 5% per year. Of course the quality of the construction and materials used will play a major role.

So it seems like you guys are on to something, and I should start shopping for lights.

bboyfromwayback, I get your point about the humidity etc. and I know you are right, but considering that all of my "successful" grows were in the same environmental conditions, I don't think that that is the cause of my current problems. I would like to take your advice and get the humidity fine tuned, but The cost of heating, dehumidifying, humidifying and cooling my entire basement all year would just be too much for a 2-3 plants. If I can get back to 2-3 oz per plant I'll happy again.

[bboyfromwayback]

I was a big proponent of HPS for years bc they’re cheap but man leds are so much better than they used to be. No heat issues either