Anyone interested in helping me design a leafy greens/microgreens commercial quantum board? everything on the market is overkill

J

jamison333

Active Member
Hey,

I'm starting up a little urban farm in a shipping container and will be growing predominantly microgreens and leafy greens like spinach and kale in this box. We're looking at 5 shelf racks down each side of the container with about 12-18 inches between the flood trays shelf to shelf. All the high efficency quantums out there seem to be way to powerful for the leafy greens light requirements. I'm pretty novice to lights/building my own, but am beginning to grasp at least some of the units of measurement. Anyway, if anyone has any interest helping me to figure this project out, give me a shout and ill give you some more detail about what im shooting for. alternatively, im open to other suggestions. If yall tell me that some alibaba LED's will be my most cost effective route, maybe that makes sense....let me know. To give you an idea what im picturing design wise, check out cropbox.co, or freight farms...something like that, but probably more similar to cropbox.
 
2Hearts

2Hearts

Well-Known Member
Just look at the microgreen industry, i saw loads of lights, indoor greenhouse racks and data.

Are lights are a slightly different set up, with micro and stuff i see single or double strips on each shelf, many still use t5's or t8's still so just a matter of replacing that shouldnt be overly complicated.
 
Attikus112

Attikus112

Well-Known Member
They sell a LED version of a T8 fluorescent bulb. I use them to start my vegitables in the spring. I would think they're more than adequate for microgreens. Some can be wired up without a ballast too so that would save money.
 
AquaTerra

AquaTerra

Well-Known Member
Cheap LED strips look at Barina on Amazon.

I've ran a test n wheatgrass using Sunblaster T5 54W and Sunblaster T5 54W but with their LED 42W bulb. They both grew fine untill about 11 days and the what grass under the LED's started to turn brown and not so under the T5's.

I run sunflower and peas under the LED and they worked good.

Problem is the cost. I don't have the break down but using "brand name" T5 vs T5u with replacement LED bulbs it would take years to pay back the cost of the LED bulbs even when replacing the flourescent bulbs every year.

https://www.facebook.com/aquaterraproducts/posts/2740050072775768
 
J

jamison333

Active Member
Wow you guys are awesome! @AquaTerra that’s some great info! @Attikus112 do you know the brand you were looking at? Or referencing the bridgilux strips?
Thanks again for all your help...I thought more of my hemp light knowledge would translate...some does, but it’s a different ballgame! Appreciate y’all help!
 
Attikus112

Attikus112

Well-Known Member
Sorry for the delay, just saw your message. I use JESLED T8 4FT LED Tube Light Bulbs, 24W 5000K Daylight White, 3000LM, 4 Foot T12 LED Replacement for Flourescent Tubes, Ballast Bypass, Dual-end Powered purchased through Amazon for my vegetable starts.
 
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