What led grow lights to choose.

GBAUTO

GBAUTO

Well-Known Member
Efficiency varies widely with led fixtures.
Old tech blurple fixtures need approximately 50 watts/ sq ft of canopy to achieve adequate intensity.
Current tech diodes like those used in QB's are almost twice as efficient at converting watts of electricity into photons of light, so you can get the same light level at 30 watts/ sq ft of canopy.
I'd suggest determining how large an area you plan on going in, then you can calculate how 'much' light you'll need.
 
M

MickyMouseSmokeHouse

Member
GBAUTO said:
Efficiency varies widely with led fixtures.
Old tech blurple fixtures need approximately 50 watts/ sq ft of canopy to achieve adequate intensity.
Current tech diodes like those used in QB's are almost twice as efficient at converting watts of electricity into photons of light, so you can get the same light level at 30 watts/ sq ft of canopy.
I'd suggest determining how large an area you plan on going in, then you can calculate how 'much' light you'll need.
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Okay so my area 5ft x 5ft so 25 sq ft. If I need 50 watts per square ft. Would that be 25sqx50watt=1250watts of actual power from led grow lights. Is that correct. When you say like those used in QB. Are you referring to like Mars hydro and or spider farm or even maxsisun
 
Xcoregamerskillz

Xcoregamerskillz

Well-Known Member
MickyMouseSmokeHouse said:
Okay so my area 5ft x 5ft so 25 sq ft. If I need 50 watts per square ft. Would that be 25sqx50watt=1250watts of actual power from led grow lights. Is that correct. When you say like those used in QB. Are you referring to like Mars hydro and or spider farm or even maxsisun
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He's likely referring to the old mars hydro and the like that look blue-ish purple when on. You need 50w/ft² on those. Newer boards with samsung diodes that look like normal warm or white light need about 25w/ft². When buying a light look at what it recommends. It will usually say the coverage area for both veg and flower. Remember, plants want more light in flower. You're trying to hit a sweet spot in light output to temp output.
 
tkmk

tkmk

Well-Known Member
Im going with mammoths 6 bar 600w light in a 4x4 they also have an 800w light thats great for a 5x5
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Go for quality white leds like hlg at around 30-35w per foot, 50 only for old crappy lights. For a 5x5 its probably easier to get 4 small lights which each cover about a 3x2. Or a larger strip type light.
 
NukaKola

NukaKola

Well-Known Member
$600 doesn’t leave you with a lot of options to cover a 5x5. For 25 sq ft you want 750-1000w.

Meijiu make a 1000w strip fixture that would be around $850 shipped.

Or you could get 3x Kingbrite 320w boards for around $660 shipped.

A SF 4000 is only ~450w and would barely flower a 4x4. I always recommend staying away from Mars & Spider Farmer as they don’t have the best reputation.

For US based companies like HLG or Timber, you are looking at double your budget to cover a 5x5.
 
LA420MD

LA420MD

Member
GBAUTO said:
Efficiency varies widely with led fixtures.
Old tech blurple fixtures need approximately 50 watts/ sq ft of canopy to achieve adequate intensity.
Current tech diodes like those used in QB's are almost twice as efficient at converting watts of electricity into photons of light, so you can get the same light level at 30 watts/ sq ft of canopy.
I'd suggest determining how large an area you plan on going in, then you can calculate how 'much' light you'll need.
Click to expand...
It can be done that way but we always base the led needed based in the clients/investor/patient needs and these days there is talk about changing the present LED light spectrum. What is the most important is how hard (or not (so the led’s can last longer, driven low yet packing a punch)) they are driven, make sure you halve everything in perfect order before proceeding.
Many LEDs these days are pulling 1700+ plenty of light yet the noob. Unknowingly. If they run it full. Amp up the temperature have the lights close yet sufficient. They had better have C02 and if you go down that route. Talk to some fellow cultivators. Ask them what they think. Should you go for it. Look for a full spectrum beyond 400-700nm. You want UVB which gives the plant a sun burn so it produces mote resin like screen block.
You want between 750-1000μmol as anything higher and you’ll need c02. Worth it once you got it squared away.
DLI = have seen system in the 90’s. 65+ should be fine

Lastly. Many companies are using this new Samsung Bar with OSARAM lights. Look for a company that offers custom or ability to choose. Not sure why many manufactures SIMPLY IGNORED THE SCIENCE (BSEE-microphotolithography -received award from dr of dept for discovering non thermal resin removal method. Shipley chemical), but it screams FAR RED ALONE is poop. Deep Red alone. Also pop. Together. Just a little. And can harvest fast. Shape plants with various colors. Also many companies don’t offer uvb. These board can be purchased with UVB, Deep Red (660nm), Far Red, (740nm) deep blue for veg. I would get one of each. Depends on strain. How much you want. Method of growing. How long in veg. Local laws. Etc. Remember. Never tell anyone of your grow. Especially a stealth one.
✌
 
Bosgrower

Bosgrower

Well-Known Member
MickyMouseSmokeHouse said:
Is spider farmer lights any good. I'm looking into getting spider farmer sf-4000 for my 5x5ft. If not can you recommend a light around $600.
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You can't really cover a 5x5 well for $600. If you up your price to $1000+ you'll have good options from a number of legitimate vendors.
 
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