[budalicious]

Lurker turned contributor here at 420mag... :-)

I just bought the PPF-800 and am starting a grow with some clones I'm rooting in a humidity dome under a small 22W T5. I am just starting to grow indoors and have been working on getting my 2x4 Growlab 80L and a homemade aero system ready for real time. Just wanted to say I'll be starting a thread soon documenting my grow! (very exciting).

I decided to go with the Haight Solid State LED grow lights after extensively researching lighting systems and requirements for the space I have to grow in. I wasn't too excited about increasing my electricity usage let alone increasing my electricity bill.

Before I took the plunge and made the purchase, I attended the SF Indoor Gardening Expo and was very interested to hear what others in the industry had to say about LEDs. I found out that pretty much everyone I spoke to - vendors and attendees were skeptical and also didn't really know much about the results of growing under LEDs other than having heard (not tested) that that vegging is good but more expensive than fluoros and flowering with them doesn't stack up against HID (mainly due to light penetration distance). Many were optimistic about the future of LEDs for growing indoors but ultimately believed that currently LEDs are "not there yet".

I made my way to one of the only 2 LED vendors at the expo (Sunshine Systems - creators of the infamous UFO LEDs). In speaking with the reps there I got the sense that they were tired of the skepticism they probably faced heavily since one of the guys there seemed quite defensive. Regardless of this, they were showing pics of a comparison grow in the flowering stage that Orange County Cannabis Coop is supposedly doing with Sunshine Systems 300W lights (300 x 1W LEDs) compared to 1000W HPS if I recall correctly. The pictures were quite impressive to say the least. They were for sure helping to convince attendees to take advantage of their UFO show special for $300.

Despite the obvious success OCCC had with the SS LEDs I was still not sure I wanted to go with those lights since having come across the Haight Solid State LED grow lights. It seemed logical to me that the light penetration distance would be significantly greater with the 6W bulbs vs 1W even with less overall LEDs.

After the expo, I visited the HSS showroom since it wasn't too far out of my way and they happen to be open. I just had to see the lights in person after seeing the others at the expo. Being a smart consumer, I wasn't impulsive but was definitely tempted. A few days later though, I decided I would go for it.

I must say...that light is bright! I am very excited to start growing under it and sharing the progress with those who choose to follow my grow. :-)

Grow journal link to follow soon...