How to Choose a Grow Light: T5 Fluorescent vs. CMH vs. LED Grow Lights Explained
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- Grow lights can be really confusing. There are a ton of different brands, technologies, and budget ranges available to you. The best grow lights accomplish the job of providing the plants you're growing with enough light in a usable spectrum, at an equipment and energy cost that is affordable to you.
So in this sense, there is never a "best" - there's just a "best for you." In this video we go through a LOT of lights and explain some of their pros, cons, and considerations.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
1:07 What do Grow Lights Do
2:25 T5 Fluorescent
4:11 HID / CMH
7:34 Basic LEDs
9:53 High End LEDs
12:51 Recap
15:34 HLG Giveaway
LIGHTS MENTIONED
→ Prism Lighting Science HO T5 V2 4’ 4 Bulb: bit.ly/3h9wPXV
→ Prism Lighting Science 315w Ceramic MH: bit.ly/37dtR05
→ Prism Lighting Science 158w Stealth LED: bit.ly/2zegFLR
→ HLG Elite 225: bit.ly/3f4fBJK
→ HLG 300L R Spec: bit.ly/2XHO6ji
HLG 550 V2 R Spec is 5% off on Amazon: HLG5OFFF
→ HLG 550 V2 R Spec: amzn.to/2YMV06b
ACCESSORIES
→ Ratcheting Light Hangers: bit.ly/3h7ND1B
→ Smart Volt 15’ Power Cord: bit.ly/3h0LUuW
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DISCLAIMER
Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. More info on our process: www.epicgardening.com/disclai... - Jak na to + styl
Enter the HLG 550 V2 R Spec giveaway: bit.ly/30yeDBz
Thank you, Epic gardener
Says you already have a winner??
@@sunnypepper4777 Might have been a glitch, try again.
Thanks for great giveaway! I love that light but is way to expensive for me so I got a HLG qb96 to start my first indoor.
Also, great info and well put together man, kudos
הי אני רוצה
Great guide and love how you are not bashing each - providing pros and cons is a fair way of educating ppl. Also love how you talk about affordability- there are a lot of first time growers spending 1000$ on a light to find they don’t like growing and end up selling them or have them sit in a garage unused for years. Thanks for this!
Thank you for this video. My first grow lights this year were fluorescent LEDs. Neat to see a video that explains/compares things in detail.
Love how you compared spectrum and cost, never been entered in a give away, nice to see you outside of the garden. Always growing always learning from your channel
Good luck!
Easy grabbing that bulb mate, fingerprint oils can pop them when they get hot
This is super important!
Better wipe those puppies down!
A pro knows ! GAVITA 1000watt the bomb no N so not detectable Eric just talked for the legal options and so the parts in the world
Yawn
@@graystonegardens1642 You've been lucky. This guy shows the result of fingerprints on halogen lamps. czcams.com/video/wd2Qz14Nu78/video.html
Very Informative, always straight and too the point !!! BTW like how subtle you mentioned a "Specific Type of Crop" made me laugh and yet still very classy. Great Job as usual Kevin!!
What kind of grow
With a newly renovate living room to accompany a new wood burning stove, my light situation in there has changed drastically. So I am switching to grow lights for lighting in the living room to make up for the lack of since the renovation. This has helped me to make better choices. Thank you.
Overall a Very clear explanation of the terms used for Light /spectrums, etc. Best 16 minutes I have spent relating to indoor growing gear. I've had good results from 45 watt LED systems, but willing to incorporate Kevins' testing results. It's all a learning experience and gear changes constantly.
Perfect timing! I have been researching for a grow light the last couple of days. I’ve recently started growing lettuce by my window but they are all turning out quite leggy so was thinking of getting a grow light suitable to be able to grow lettuce till harvest. Thanks for the video Kevin!
Def need one to grow lettuce to harvest!
Holy cow! The amount of information you are throwing at us is staggering. It’s like every two seconds there’s one coming at you. 👌
Yay , the best ...I live in zone 3 with very short spring / summer so definitely always need to start indoor seedlings and those lights .. thank you for the review 👍
Thank you , as always, for doing the research to make our lives easier . What a nice giveaway! Thanks again.
thank you, this was a great video for a new grower. I have watched a lot of different vids and you did a really nice job going slow and explaining concepts at a high level.
Yes! Thank you so much for going into such details. I was so confused about what light to get 😆
So now that you've had time to test out your lights. Which did you go with and what results did you get?
Yay thank you for this video! I’ve been trying to figure out grow lights and what to get for a couple weeks now so this came at the right time
Glad I could help!
Thanks for this guide. I am just getting into needing growlights.
Thanks Kevin, this was a lot of great info on grow lights. I really appreciate all of the info.
Very welcome
Great video, Wish i found your video before the drawing to have a chance at that amazing equipment. Best of luck with the videos man
Perfect timing! My girlfriend encouraged my curiosity in starting an indoor garden. I came across your MICROGREENS starter video and was hooked into finding a healthier lifestyle.
This video helped make my light decision much easier! Thank you Kevin!
And good luck to the winner.
First of your videos I've seen, like the quality of production and content. Subscribed!
Wow... Would love this light. Awesome stuff man. I've used many of your gardening tips. You rock
OMG the best giveaway on CZcams!
Thank you 🙏
I needed this info simplified to move forward with my growing situation.
Glad it was helpful!
i just wanted to say thank after almost 36hrs of info because of you i think i can get the right light im starting my first indoor seed starting season around 400 cell to start going with a t5 ho 4ft thank you again you really really helped
Thanks for all the tips. You have helped me out a lot!
You bring EPIC to giveaways! Love it!!
You're right I still have my eight bulb T5 light system that was my very first light outside of a Black Dog led one was for Virgin one was for flowering. I actually now have a bunch of one bulb T5 4-ft sections and I do the perimeter of my tents. It really adds an extra bonus around the outside edge which usually is lacking most times. Especially in the corners. However I just got today a ceramic high pressure sodium Eye Hortilux SE600. Quite a upgrade from the T5 days
Great point about the UV output. It's one area the LEDs are lacking. Those Phillips bulbs have been rocking our setups with dual 315w fixtures for 630w total. Throw one of those in a Black Orchid 4x4 tent and you're well on you're way to some great yields.
This is EXACTLY what I needed to see! Looks like I might be returning my 'basic' LED grows for something a bit more 'future-proof'. Thx!
Thank you so much, great information. I am so glad I didn’t buy any grow lights yet!
I purchased a $32 LED 5500 lumen shop light from Wal-Mart and my indoor plants are thriving
How much electricity does it take up though?? Cause it’s expensively in San Diego...
Used a similar set up, but 5000 Lumins LED with decent Kelvins before and during lockdown to start my seedlings. Got a 100% germination rate on six year old tomato seeds. My warm grow pads and other set ups gave me a 50-75% germination rate. Can't ask for better
Incidentally, we used less power than the previous year.
DIYWithDara LED is going to be your best bet.
I use a cheap flourescent to grow sprouts. Like 10 bucks off Amazon.
Good luck long term. Many times cheap lights of any kind end up burning plants because the optics are shit if they even have any and the light has hot spots from being too focused in certain areas. Tried the same thing before.
Thank you so much. I was really confused by lights.
You’re welcome 😊
Really nice comparison video :D, my hps bulb blew yesterday so I gotta do some grow light maintenance.
Great video what great information! Thank you keep up the great work I love hlg btw!🔥🍀
At a low budget, I made my own ligth painel. And I used a lot of videos just like yours. Thank you, for your help.
Great educational video. I had to watch it multiple times!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Kevin! just wanted to suggest, try opening an amazon shop(?) for the stuff you recommend.( I see it on other growers) that way you get paid(?) lol anyways, thank you for your content! Keep them coming! We love it!!!
I've got links in the description!
So happy you made a video on grow lights! You are THE man on plants!! 🌱🤣
Good timing. I was just looking into a grow light
Very helpful video. Your videos are informative and encouraging!
Glad you think so!
Awesome video! Appreciate the great info. And also thanks for a chance at winning. Awesome giveaway!
We have been watching a bunch of your videos and we enjoy them. We live in a 3a zone and just trying to learn how we can grow more
I really appreciate your show man you've answered a lot of questions for me I am actually getting started and a little bit of a beginner I know just enough to be dangerous I used to have a 500w HPS which when you walk in the room looks like you were walking on the Sun but also put out a ton of heat. I totally just nerd it out on the video man just let me know when you're ready to give away a light😉 I will totally take one because I am shopping right now
Yo what a helpful video man. Great job
I've been thinking about getting a grow light to have a little indoor grow place so this is really helpful, thanks! c:
Of course!
Checkout Shane from Migro out. All he does is test lights. He's in the game obviously but each light that I've tested has matched up to his results. He's one of a few out there. Even some the low to mid leds are better nowadays. A decent entry lights are the Spiderfarmer 1000 and Marshydro TS1000 - 4000 at 160ish and 140ish respectively. Btw their around 150w from the wall with good numbers at and under 18". Good luck with your search for lighting.
Thank you! This is very informative.
I've run 4 CFL bulbs for over winter growing and a cheap little 10W LED grow light starting my seedlings in Jan Feb March of Flordia. Loving your videos always you the bomb 💣 🍃 thank you!
Thanks Chris!
Your presentations are inspiring to say the least! Thank you for your sharing your work with all of us. This is all very very good for "The People" right now. Hehe, you said blurple. ; P
nice collection of grow lights i have dozens some from as old as 20 years ago. big hps 1000s full specs hard wired 220 to new ufo. i need to upgrade to a newer led
Very interesting thanks for all the great and use full information
Thanks, I want a LED grow light, but the super size is too large for me. I enjoy watching all the gardening videos I can. My husband and I watched your pruning tomato plant video yesterday. Great information.
Thanks for all the info, ...the big kahuna!
That light would fit perfectly in my tent! :O
Just the information I’ve been needing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Now if I can just win that light...
Thank you for the info!!
Excellent guide on Grow lights thank You
Lights can get confusing and this was super helpful, thanks man
You bet!
Fantastico video.Grazie per le spiegazioni .
Thanks bro such a useful video. Big ups👍
thanks so much looing for grow light has may me crazy,
I just love your videos. I've learned so much
I love your channel and all the great information you provide us. I'm from San Diego as well and I was wondering where you got your Pineapple Sage.
Thank you again for the awesome videos and content!
Local nursery! Mission Hills
Awesome review. Thank you
Great video. I laughed when I saw the dead plant on the shelf behind him. Yep, his vid is on learning about "grow lights" to grow plants... with a dead plant behind him with a grow light above it.
Thanks for your informational review.
I'm new to growing indoors# I have grown outdoors Thanks for the information really helpful information.
Thank you - super informative!! Any particular light recommended for basil over winter indoors? I'm in Toronto, Canada, where we get mostly cloud cover and temperatures below -10°C from December - March. I started with the mini version of the fluorescent one but clearly it wasn't bright or warm enough to keep the basil over winter in my cold kitchen garden window!
Awe dang, the giveaway was a while ago.. lol I just signed up for it. That HLG 300 is epic bro.
Awesome info thanks for sharing
even your not given those lights, viewer or someone watching this video is aready a winner indeed.God Bless always.
Any more light give aways? The info was spot on and very helpful. Thanks brotha
Thanks for doing this video. I asked, i recieved, very helpful.
💚Hell yeah 😋 I get exactly what your saying 😊 IV been looking in2 lights and I was more confused than I am now 👍💚🐝
HLG lights are amazing. I own 3 and looking to buy more already!!! It's like harnessing the sun.
"A very specific crop" love it 🙄🤣
What kind of crop
@@evoeater4837 The kind that makes your head feel funny
Oh salvia crop @scz
Gosh, golly, so GLAD to have you for a resource! This winter, I want to grow some micro-greens and also, to start my own garden veggie starts.
Best of luck!
Thank you for making videos
It's my pleasure
What are your thoughts on switchable spectrum LED lamps? Is this a useful option or would the money be better spent on separate lamps for different grow stages?
Edit: for anyone who come by later.... I decided to go with full spectrum lights instead of blurple lights after digging deeper into the subject.
Love your videos man! I'm looking for the right LED system to start strong seedlings before they are moved outside into the garden. My shelf is only 2' wide x 18" deep. any recommendations for particularly nice compact high-quality lights in that size/use range?
Thank you, Epic gardener
Hi Epic Gardening, Thank your information. If i just want a grow light to for my potted lemon tree for the winter, which grow light would you recommend?
Excellent video, thanks for posting. There are really toooooo many lights out there. I looked for months last fall for a good LED light for seed starting. Was hoping to find a good four footer, to cover four standard size seed flats. I found what I th8nk is a good one, but I did notice that as I raised the light as the plants grew taller, the ones on the outer edges leaned in towards to center to get more light. I guess it wasn’t bright enuf, although it is a T5 HO light. I guess you just pay your nickel and take your chances!
Yeah totally...also try moving the light slightly closer!
Thank for the video!
I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS .I WATCH YOU ALL THE TIME VERY INSPIRING TOO ME. THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE IVE GOTTEN FAR THANKS TO YOU GOD BLESS.
Great information thanks.
Now that was a great giveaway CHEERZ RESPECT 🙏💯🔥
Thank you the the Grow light Map. It is super Confusing.
Thank you for this video! Very informative. I’ll have to do some research because I’m scared what my electric bill will look like lol
Hahaha yeah it can be extreme
I bought two 3' LED grow lights today a home depot that were $250, but were on clearance for $60. I'm so excited!
What a deal!
I love my indoor plants and have had to buy grow lights because I have hardly any natural light in my house.(I'm surrounded by tree's in the mountains of northern California) I wish I could afford to put them all over my house but for now I just have a couple and have been pleasantly surprised at how well my plants have done with them. I never knew the difference in them though so thank you for clarifying 😊
Yeah they work soooo well...glad they're working!
I really like my 3-in-a-line HLG boards. (Get the not-newest boards, the pricier 688 (?) boards are not necessary unless you need ultimate efficiency.) Shame they don't sell that format assembled, but there's major savings in buying the DIY kit or individual components as the assembly is simple. In fact my heatsink plates for two more triples just arrived at my doorstep while watching this!
This is helpful as I want to set up an indoor grow bag to extend my growing season. What's a decent budget for a starter indoor grow for leafy greens, Tomatoes, cukes, peppers?
I have a skylight in my house it's somewhat opaque does this help? Or better off growing in a room that gets sun?
I have some LED lights I bought from home Depot to start seeds and two viparspectra 1000 watt leds I bought for my blueberry bush and small quamquat tree and they love the lights
Love the garden. Your videos rock. 🏡👩🌾👨🌾
Oh Yes Kevin, just what i needed! Thank You!...Didn't know how to evaluate grow lights!
I happen to like the LED, but mine are not strong enough...I mainly use them for micro-greens and seed starts/cuttings...but when we get legal here, I will be growing my favorite medicine ;)
I noticed that grow lights are often "out of stock" these days!
Everything in this garden world seems to be!
Head on over to Alibaba save yourself some money need any help hmu or if your diy er I could point you in the right direction and it's way cheaper and just as good if not better
I have been starting seeds using an LED full spectrum aquarium light that I already owned, but I think it's too dim for this purpose as my seedlings are getting leggy. If I were to replace it, what should I look for in a new LED light? A certain minimum number of lumens? According to the Amazon listing, mine only has 1500 lumens. Or should I just give up on the LED and get a fluorescent shop light? I only need something small.
You are the best thank you for guve us all information
The best way to evaluate any grow light is to grow from seed to finish.
Full spectrum is the best spectrum.
Looking forward to seeing the seed to finish grows across multiple varieties of plants that youll be doing with these light options.
Thanks bub.
For sure!!! At the future homestead bro.
I have a detached LED 45W AeroGarden grow light that I'm using to grow salad greens and cherry tomatoes. How does that compare to what you're teaching? Can you discuss wattage also? Thanks!