led experiment, need input

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beercan

Well-Known Member
so let me start off with I am green to led lighting but I have been reading and learning but everyone has different opinions, a good friend of mine has been starting clones under an led fixture he purchased at home depot, it is a 18000 lumen 400 watt 5000k light and has had great success with the clones so I too purchased one to put seedlings under when they are big enough, (now about 8 inches or so) they are responding very well to light so I am looking for help as to weather 2 of these fixtures would grow 4 plants in a 4x4 all the way through a grow cycle, I know wattage is pretty important with lighting but just wanted to experiment to see or would it just totally be a waste of time? thanks for any input https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-2-ft-400-Watt-Equivalent-White-Integrated-LED-Linear-High-Bay-50232161/302456569?keyword=1002760845&semanticToken=2003000000+>++st:{1002760845}:st+cnn:{2:0}+cnr:{8:1}+cnb:{0:0}+f:{a}+oos:{0:1}+tgr:{No+stage+info}+qu:{1002760845}:qu
 
Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
As stated ... you can get a better light or even a better flouro setup T5 ( with Agromax Super veg bulbs ). That highbay light has a diffuser screen.

Just get the right equipment and no experimentation is necessary. 5000k / 6400k or 6500k is fine for seedling spectrum.
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I personally think there's a bit too much powerful blue wavelengths for seedlings and clones, and prefer 4000-4500K more.
 
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beercan

Well-Known Member
Any recommendations for led lighting for a 4x4 ? Im trying to steer away from heat issues, thanks
 
TEKNIK

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member
beercan said:
Thanks i was actually looking at those, how well do they preform compared to hps or cmh?
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It depends on how you grow, LED's work when you place them close to the plants, you can't do that with a CMH as it will burn them. LED's can be spread out across the canopy to allow you to get a better spread than you can with a hps or cmh. They do work better but you need to keep them alot closer than you would with a hps
 
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1212ham

Well-Known Member
It's not 400 watts, it's 170. "Uses only 170-Watt of energy" 18000/170 = 105 lumen per watt, about the same as screw in LED. Good LED is around 175 lm/watt or even higher. For flowering in a 4x4, you'd want 5 of those. 30-35 watts per square foot is a common suggestion for modern and efficient white light.

3000k-3500k is good for veg and flower.

The best light is the one that best fits your situation, and we don't know that. What's you budget? Electricity rate? Climate and temperatures?
 
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beercan

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
It's not 400 watts, it's 170. "Uses only 170-Watt of energy" 18000/170 = 105 lumen per watt, about the same as screw in LED. Good LED is around 175 lm/watt or even higher. For flowering in a 4x4, you'd want 5 of those. 30-35 watts per square foot is a common suggestion for modern and efficient white light.

3000k-3500k is good for veg and flower.

The best light is the one that best fits your situation, and we don't know that. What's you budget? Electricity rate? Climate and temperatures?
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Not really a budget, but dont want to get carried away either, looking for low power and low heat thats probably the biggest deal, with good yeilds, indoor grow and room has ac, looking to grow all 4 seasons
 
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1212ham

Well-Known Member
I like strips for their excellent distribution of the light, and that certainly includes Fluence. https://fluence.science/technology/spydr/
You can also build you own.... http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

Here's some companies to look at. 30-35 watts/ft. is a common suggestion for efficient lights and some of these companies show coverage area.

www.timbergrowlights.com
https://fluence.science/
https://diyleduk.com/
https://atreumlighting.com
www.bcblondes.com
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com
www.Cobkits.com
www.rapidled.com
https://www.amaretechnology.com/shop-online
www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/plc-330-l
https://growerslights.com/collections/horticulture-lighting-group-quantum-board-led-kits
www.cutter.com.au
https://www.todogrowled.com
https://greenmachineca.com/
https://true-northern-lighting.myshopify.com
 
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beercan

Well-Known Member
thank yall for all for all the input, now from all the feedback I can see they those lights just wont cut it, next thing would be either to buy led fixtures or build my own quantum board light set up, is it really worth building my own or just buying fixtures? 260 watt lights from hlg run about $330, whats the price difference to build one? I really like DIY stuff if I can save some bucks but I have no clue what or where to buy the component's for QBS……….. I will continue researching in the meantime, I would rather have someone coach me through the build if someone would be so kind to do so... I have enough electrical experience to do so but like I said I just don't know what to buy for the build and as always thanks all for the input and help!!!!!! I need to get this done ASAP as my girls will be needing more light very very soon
 
Chip Green

Chip Green

Well-Known Member
beercan said:
260 watt lights from hlg run about $330
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By the way, that's actually pretty good price wise, their stuff is of commendable quality.
Straight DIY component sourcing, could potentially get that down a little, but for that type of area, the HLG kits, or fixtures are always at the top of recommendation lists, and rightfully so...
 
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