Veg Lamp design

[HockeyBeard]

I just ordered parts for my next build. Here's the layout. I'll be building this out of angle aluminum, and I might go all Growmau5 on it and make it look pretty, too.



PARTS:
( CXB3070 5000K
(3) CXA3070 3000K
(2) MW HLG-185-1050B
(1) MW HLG-185-1400B
(3) 100K Pots for dimming
(11) GlacialTech Igloo CPU Heatsink/Fan Combo
(3) MW AV-12-12 Drivers
(3) CPU Fan controller Boards (essentially a 4 port power strip for fans)

I'm trying to fill my 8x4 tent with light, as my 4ft HOT5 just doesn't quite get to the edges and I can only fit 6 plants in 10G under it. I plan on putting everything on a dimmer control, and possibly putting in a switch for the 3000K bulbs, I'm not sure yet. Kinda reminiscent of the Battlestart Ganjactica. I'd like to be able to dim a bit to lower the lamp for younger plants, and as they mature, start pumping up the watts as I raise the light. I'm not sure this will be done in time for my next run, but I'm hoping to have it worked out just after the new year, and my current run comes down shortly after, so I can have plants under this one by mid January at the earliest.

 

[Rahz]

Looks like a solid plan for a veg area with PPFD around 300-350 in veg (rough guess and bin isn't mentioned).

 

[HockeyBeard]

Looks like a solid plan for a veg area with PPFD around 300 (rough guess and bin isn't mentioned). If it's strictly veg you might consider replacing the 3000Ks with 4000Ks.

AD on the 3000K and BB on the 5000K

I would consider that, but I have two 3000K chips left over from my last build, and wanted to incorporate them in this.

 

[Rahz]

It will be nice either way.

 

[HockeyBeard]

Coming from you, I'm very happy to hear that.

 

[Rahz]

Honestly I just go by what I hear when recommending the higher K temps. In 2 veg areas I use 3000K and 3750K (combo of 3000 and 4000). Fast growth large fan leaves and super bushy plants in both areas. Perhaps it's the multiple emitters and light coming from every angle but I've never thought I would see some notable benefit from raising my K temps in veg.

 

[HockeyBeard]

My understanding was that you wanted a higher ratio of blue in veg, and those higher temps meet that criteria. At the same time, you should have some red in there too. I'm not sure how much red the 5000K actually has, tbh. My T5 has 6 blue and 2 reds in it, and I'm trying to keep a similar principle with this build.