ECO Farm 120W LM301B Classic Quantum Board VS AC Infinity IONBOARD S22 100W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
We all know that gardening itself is therapeutic. Imagine how much better it would be if you grew not just any plant but your very own plant! Yes, it may be tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
Growing plants takes attention to details and the correct information, equipment, and resources. However, the benefits reaped from planting are indeed well worth the effort. Indoor plants cultivation is possible in any climate. You can grow potent yet complex plants strains if you do it yourself.
We know that you’ll face a confusing number of options, primarily if you’ve never grown plants before. But if you focus on a few practical and structured tips, you’ll be able to harvest your first successful indoor plants crop. Read on to learn more.
The advantages and disadvantages of using LED lights
While LED grow lights sure sound amazing at first, this does not necessarily mean that they are the right light choice for you and your indoor plants 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.
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.
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.
ECO Farm 120W LM301B/LM301H Classic Quantum Board
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light uses full-spectrum white light and 660nm red light and 730nm far-red light and 395nm ultraviolet light to promote seed germination and improve the health of indoor plants. Suitable for all growth stages of indoor plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. This LED plant growth light panel consumes only 100 watts of energy, providing lower operating costs for indoor gardening and hydroponics. Full-spectrum LEDs also have a long life span, over 50,000 hours, they generate less heat and will not dry out your plants. High-quality components and zero fan noise make our plant grow lights very suitable for indoor gardening, planting tents, planting houses, vertical agriculture, and hydroponics. It is very suitable for a 2 x 2-foot plant area. And it is dimmable, so as to obtain the ability of higher light intensity from vegetative growth to flowering. It is designed for individuals and commercial indoor growers seeking higher-quality products.
AC Infinity IONBOARD S22 100W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
This LED grow light contains optimized proportions of gardening series Samsung LM301B white, red and infrared LEDs designed to maximize plant yield. The diodes are then algorithmically positioned within the board to provide the most uniform PAR map coverage and deepest light penetration. These characteristics help to achieve the highest growth rates during the germination, vegetative and flowering stages. It features a proprietary LED driver that enables 0–100% dimming with an easy-to-use control knob to adjust light intensity in 20% increments. The driver also includes a daisy-chain capable port and can interface with our smart controller to access growth cycles, scheduling, application control, and more.
If considering making the switch to LED grow lights, here are five things to consider:
1. Cost
When making the switch to LEDs, the first thought that might come to growers’ minds is cost. Grow lights are not a cheap addition for plants operations, especially when growing on a commercial scale. LEDs can be a more expensive alternative to HPS lighting solutions.
According to a State of the plants Lighting Market report, when respondents were asked, “What is preventing your operation from introducing LED lights in the flower cycle within the next 12 months?” 33% said “challenges in securing funding/capital for LED lighting,” which was the most popular response.
While the upfront cost of LEDs may be pricey, it will be offset long-term. Not only will electricity bills read lower when using LED lighting, but growers will also qualify for rebates from their utility companies. Some grow light companies work with a third party to ensure growers are getting the maximum rebate possible for making the switch to LEDs.
2. 1:1 Replacement
Planning out a lighting solution for a grow operation is no easy task. Growers will need to work with lighting companies to map out the size of the room, the layout of the grow and configure how many fixtures are needed. Aside from installation, switching out lighting types in a grow room can be challenging and expensive, and may deter growers from making a switch from HPS to LEDs.
However, most LED grow lights are a 1:1 replacement to HPS solutions, meaning there is no need to spend money on additional light fixtures. For example, if a grow room uses 100 HPS grow lights, it will only need 100 LED grow lights to replace them. This will save growers time, money and headaches when it comes to making the switch.
3. Overall Plant Quality
The benefits of LED lights go beyond cost and replacement efficiency. One of the most important things to consider when making the switch to LEDs is the effect it will have on plants. Growers who use LEDs have seen an increase in the size of their plants, an increase in growth rate, and most importantly — better quality plants.
According to the State of the plants Lighting Market report, LED grow lights remain popular across all stages of plants growth. 69% of respondents reported using LED lighting in propagation — up 48% from 2016’s report. 62% of respondents reported using LED lights in the vegetation stage (up 45% from 2016) along with the flowering stage (up 47% from 2016).
By improving size, growth and quality, growers can expect to receive a higher yield on their plants, making LEDs a popular choice and a worthy investment.
4. Customization
No two grows are the same — there are many variables that affect the type of equipment and practices growers use for their plants. Geographic location, cultivation methods (vertical/stacked, horizontal, etc.), grow room layout and other factors need to be considered when it comes to plants lighting.
LED light spectrums can be customized depending on a plant’s stage of growth. For example, red and far-red lights can be beneficial for the flowering phase, while blue light is good for green leaves and the veg stage of growth.
Conclusion
There are many factors you need to consider when growing plants indoors. Nevertheless, you can cultivate your plants based on the correct information. We hope the guide above will help you find the best LED grow light.
