From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Looking to upgrade my germination station. Who uses LED Lights and what dou you recommend.

2/12/2015 1:42:35 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

I don't think LED's will generate enough heat to be worth while

2/12/2015 5:05:14 PM

Central NY

Do your research ....a lot of junk out there...I settled on artic sun ..I think 600w... Works good ... Pricey though

2/12/2015 5:57:24 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Wow, now I am curious...didn't think that light & heat were the same? I sprout seeds w/heat & then put them under lights. I am starting seeds inside the house, so maybe extra heat is not needed?

2/13/2015 12:19:57 AM

Springfield, Missouri

LEDs are the way to go. You don't have to get anything big for germinating plants; I have a 90W and its unbelievably bright. The watt usage comes from running fans and chips. More expensive "full spectrum" lights have more fans/chips, but have similar red/blue light output to the simple, lower watt, LED arrays.

Don't fall for "full spectrum" look for lights that emit 430-460 nm and 630-680 nm wavelengths... Chlorophyll doesn't need a full light spectrum, as it only absorbs red and blue wavelengths. Light also regulates signaling pathways. Blue light promotes compact bulky seedlings, with strong roots, by prevents stem elongation.

Look for blue/red arrays that have a higher number of diodes in the 430-460 nm range. Most LEDs cater to the marijuana market who need near UV light for flavor, and a broader red spectrum for flowering... these do us no good.

http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/43/7/1947.full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1z7LkoQkOA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAw13w9eFxY

2/13/2015 3:30:04 AM

Springfield, Missouri

by preventing* stem elongation

2/13/2015 3:31:22 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Sorry should have been clearer...growing station

2/13/2015 7:40:01 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

T5 Badboys the only way to go. LEDS to pricey right now, wrong spectrum, and not enough intensity.. T5's are light weight, less heat than MH, and very controllable.

2/13/2015 3:06:01 PM

Central NY

T5 good choice also...

2/13/2015 6:22:10 PM