Ive been doing research like google, duckduck go articles on law enforcement looking at high electric bills and busting there little grow garden but theres not much information or facts about the topic because its myth and theorys? Im a beginer at this, just want to make sure. I need advice. Im only going to be running 1 hps 1,000 watt fixture lamp for a 4x4×8 grow tent. Wish i could go more but kind of not sure because of the high usage, estimating that im going to use a month about 2,000 watts a month, 900 hours of the lamp at 11cent per kw then using the rest off other household appliances. But note this is in a 2bdr 1 bath apt with 5 ppl living in it. My monthy bill kind of estimating at $250-265 if i add the lamp n ect…and also have a smart meter which i can switch off to an analog old school meter by the utility company so they wont know whats actually using all that electricity. Of course ill switch to another utility company so they wont see a sudden rise on electricity , im currently using about 1,000kw a month but adding the lamp, the carbon filter running 163watts per hour, little fans, and a portable little ac to adjust hot and cold and dont think i need a humidifier since its not a big grow. And switch my light plan to a 1500-2000kw monthly plan so they wont be like wth why the sudden rise. I have the thermal mylar stuff film so FLIR wont thermal image it ,then ima wrap the outside of the grow tent with. I seen barry coopers videos but never mentioned the electric bill usage . I just want really good advice from the experts so i can head in the right direction . I know im kind of paranoid but i been to prison and did 3 years just want to make sure and if i get caught then then it is what it is. I live in houston, tx where the electricity markets are deregulated. Thanks all. And sry for the long ass story. Lol
@Kiko I completely understand about the paranoia. Welcome to the forum.
I would go LED to keep the wattage down. More expensive up front, but they’re more efficient at producing lumens per watt, than HPS.
Growers lights dot com look for HLG lights for a 4x4. Small fee you can have them wire it for you.
There’s also a rapid LED kit for a 4x4.
LED’s would also help with the battle with the heat in TX.
AC Infinity cloudline makes a very efficient exhaust fan. Even comes with a thermostat, and speed control.
There are a few members in TX so we understand about the legality concerns.
In your response don’t forget a tag so they notified. @Covertgrower
@Covertgrower
Thank you so much on your advice. Its really helpful. Had one last question on the battle of hps and led’s on what growers use. Experts highly recommend the old school hps lighting way vs Leds that dont really work for yield or good high quality flower. Would a good reputable 1000watt led fixture waist the same as a hps 1,000 fixture? As far as heat goes i know ill win if i go towards led as far as heat. But would i waist the same in watts in 1,000 hps and Led 1,000watts? I know its a dumb question just want to make sure. And is the led true watts?
Most LED lamps (especially those on Amazon) may say they are 1000 watt, but the actual power is much less. Like you are lucky if they are 250 watt. Good LEDs are more efficient than HPS. Bad ones are not. There’s no free lunch: You need 35-50 real watts per square foot to grow good weed. The key to lower electric bills is to keep your grow space small. I got 7 ounces in 8 square feet with 400 watts.
If you had a house, you could buy a used electric jacuzzi and never turn it on as an excuse for higher electric bills. Or just move to a grow-legal state and don’t worry about it. You still need to be discrete so robbers don’t break in and steal it, but I don’t worry about the cops at all.
There are led lights plenty competitive with hid, you just don’t get them cheap as pointed out.
If you want to stay with hps, what about going with a 600? You have to remember that that’s also 600 watts per hour. Your fans you will likely run 24/7 so just account for that accordingly.
Mylar won’t hide you from flir either. A big hid light is gonna put off a ton of heat that you’ll have to remove from tent and flir will see it. Although I don’t know how common it is for Leo’s to drive around randomly checking with flir. I’m sure it happens, but a lot more common for them to check when they already suspect you. The best way to avoid doing time is not to do the crime ya know. So check up on your local laws, it’s likely there is different penalties for different amounts of plants.
Your so right. Ive been doing tons of research and homework for all the right equipment and also watching videos. Dont really mind on the price , i just want good quality equipment to give these flowers the best and get grade A quality. On the lights you described so right . So if price is not an issue for me as far as getting the right equipment do you think me getting a $1200- 1500 Led light at a good reputable online store that runs 630watts an hour but its equivalent to a 1,000 watt hps light like it sais in description of the led fixture? Damn thats crazy 7 ounces🤑 on 400watt per plant? Damitt texas and its bs with not legalizing.uff . Thanx man so much for the advice and input.
1BigFella, told me the same about the cheap amazon led lights. You guys are so right on that one. So in your opinion should i get a $1200-1500 led fixture that sais its equivalent to a 1,000watt hps light that only runs 630watts per hour. I just want different opinions so i can make the right purchase and not waiste money. COVERTGROWER, said to pay for the high up front cost of a led light at that price , what do you think? From research i see different growers have different ways and setups. My goal here is to keep the wattage low but that is equivalent to 1,000watts like a led light fixture thats so expensive but would be mad as hell if it didnt work as described cause like you guys stated you dont get true watts. I would like to go for an Led fixture since you guys got me convinced but want an led that pushes the 1,000watts i want but runs 630watts but dont know how true that is ,that light cost $1,300 full spectrum led , in your opinion do you think its true for the price? Yes your right the fans will run 24/7. I plan on installing the exhaust fan COVERTGROW recommended with Ac infinity cloudline connected to a carbon filter to take out the odor and was going to use it for the heat but like i said you guys convinced me now to an led cause of the freakin heat like you stated and the wattage. So if led’s dont throw out heat and paranoid about FLIR, would i need anything that could cover up the heat coming from the led or its not enough for flir to pick up? Lol your so right about the doing the time dont do the crime. I looked at the state laws and im ok with it since its a small grow, not to much time. I just figured that growing and selling my own stuff its a wayyy bigger profit that buying ounces from someone else and flipping it, not so much profit. In my ideal 4x4x8 grow tent how many plants could i put in there 4 or 5 if i got that led light that claims it gives me 1,000watts for $1,300 that runs 630watt?
1BigFella, told me the same about the cheap amazon led lights. You guys are so right on that one. So in your opinion should i get a $1200-1500 led fixture that sais its equivalent to a 1,000watt hps light that only runs 630watts per hour. I just want different opinions so i can make the right purchase and not waiste money. COVERTGROWER, said to pay for the high up front cost of a led light at that price , what do you think? From research i see different growers have different ways and setups. My goal here is to keep the wattage low but that is equivalent to 1,000watts like a led light fixture thats so expensive but would be mad as hell if it didnt work as described cause like you guys stated you dont get true watts. I would like to go for an Led fixture since you guys got me convinced but want an led that pushes the 1,000watts i want but runs 630watts but dont know how true that is ,that light cost $1,300 full spectrum led , in your opinion do you think its true for the price? Yes your right the fans will run 24/7. I plan on installing the exhaust fan COVERTGROW recommended with Ac infinity cloudline connected to a carbon filter to take out the odor and was going to use it for the heat but like i said you guys convinced me now to an led cause of the freakin heat like you stated and the wattage. So if led’s dont throw out heat and paranoid about FLIR, would i need anything that could cover up the heat coming from the led or its not enough for flir to pick up? Lol your so right about the doing the time dont do the crime. I looked at the state laws and im ok with it since its a small grow, not to much time. I just figured that growing and selling my own stuff its a wayyy bigger profit that buying ounces from someone else and flipping it, not so much profit. In my ideal 4x4x8 grow tent how many plants could i put in there 4 or 5 if i got that led light that claims it gives me 1,000watts for $1,300 that runs 630watt?
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More than likely any heat from the LED’s will be only slightly above room temperature. I have the Rapid LED kit, and the heat sinks get warm to the touch, but not hot.
The largest difference between HPS and an LED, is that an LED is more efficient at creating light, and less heat, because it takes the same wattage, but turns more of those watts into light.
Plant count, is going to be a personal preference, you could grow a 100 small plants in there if they were all in very small pots, or just 2 very large plants. Most growers split the difference at around 4-6 medium-large plants per 4x4 area.
For a 4x4 I highly recommend the Rapid LED kit, as it runs about 650-700 watts. It has great coverage, and I assure it grows. I would never steer you wrong there. Any one of these kits from Rapid will grow well, with great coverage, and penetration into the canopy. The camera doesn’t do it justice at how bright it is. That fixture is dimmed all the way down. I have the Cree Version. I just moved, so I don’t have anything big under them yet but I have a small 7 that will be moving underthem as soon as the tent arrives.
@Kiko Texas here
10 years ago, I was concerned with electric use tracking. Now with 10+ legal states and twice that many with medical…law enforcement has lost interest in small weed busts. The court and prison system is clogged with weed cases. Harris, Tarrant, Travis counties publicly announced small quantity busts would no longer be prosecuted. This does not mean if someone tips them off or complains that you won’t get a visit. with 5 people in a 2 bedroom apartment, that means a lot of traffic. Kids are curious and will talk if they find something exciting. Like a real life marijuana farm.
bottom line: don’t really feel the electric issue is much concern. do feel the exposure of the constant people traffic will be a major concern.
I live alone. Not many visitors. No people I don’t know. Strain I grow is not a “Smeller”.
admins do not allow private im’s.
being a NOT FREE STATE…Texas, I stay very low profile.
People do grow other plants indoors then just weed
Thank you
I’ve used Fluence LEDs. Best on market. Get 8 bar type (650 Watts, covers a 4x4 table perfectly), not 5 bar.
@nt3 then we have to look at cost between the two fixtures. Comparing the rapid fixture coming in at 760 µmol compared Fluence 1,060 µmol/m2/s over a 4’x4’ canopy.
Besides the price the CREE’s come in heavier in red if you compare the two fixtures. I’m still willing to bet the CREE fixtures would be more efficient.
I defer to @dbrn32 for any more scientific than that.
@Covertgrower
Oh ok i see… interesting. So if its a little bit more than room tempature with the Led’s you described, do you think i should buy some thermal infrared blocking from helicopters or law enforcement trying to use FLIR? Thats awsome to know that there is lower wattage lamps that are equivalent replacement of the hps light that could do the exact same thing , no heat and less electricity. Thats cool im starting to catch on now. That lamp that you have looks great , i looked online for it its pretty expensive but i rather get the good stuff for good buds. But good thing you showed me the ac infinity exhaust fan , because ive been doing research on some but didnt come across like the one you described, that one has the features i need. Thank you once again for your reply and advice .
@Kiko It’s a myth the light company’s making money and the cops and government are not looking for small time growers I wouldn’t worry carbon filters is what you need to get rid of the smell that’s what people complain about and welcome to the forum 
@Kiko I think there will be enough air mixed in that it will appear just as a normal exhaust. I don’t think there will be anything elevated or out of the ordinary if you looked at it with a FLIR. sure it’ll show a source of some heat, but nothing like a HPS heat signature.
I think you’re money is better invested in more equipment than thermal tape.
I’m glad you liked the fan. I love mine. I installed my fixture tonight in the tent. Still some adjusting to do, but you get the point. I’ll move the plants in as soon as I get the fan connected.
Very nice set up my friend
Thanks hog! Hopefully I grow some donkey dicks in this one!
I’m sure horse and cow size would be sufficient as well