Wait...am I the only crazy one?

M

Micro G.

Active Member
I swear...i did search...i did search a lot.

Am I the only one trying to grow under some god damn common, simple, affordable, easy to find, motherfucking amazon led stripes? :oops: :lol:
I went trough dozen of "LED and other light" thred pages and I've only found topics with 600W grow led, super DIY growing led, ultra specific models and brands of led bulbs and stripes, ultra dense led stripes, and all the combination in between...I did search on google but nothing, nothing about common led stripes, nothing.

I know that those stripes are not the best choice, of course, but i can't believe nobody tried it. Back in the days, when HPS light seemed the only real choice(for really involved folks out there) i did my one shot experience with crappy 18w neon tubes...probably 3$ dollar each...i bought 4 cool white and 4 warm white, i did not eve checked their kelvin and use them in a cardboard box in my bedroom with nothing else but a pc fan toget rid of some heat. Long story short i had my yield. It was not a crazy amount, but it lasted for months for me and my friends. It was good, it was the result of passion even with crappy equipment.

So 15 some years after that experience I decided to have my "second shot" with a micro grow. Lots of you on "micro grow" talks about 2x2x6 feet grow room with 4-8 plant if not more...is that a micro grow? Is it? Then we should have a different forum section for folks like me that are looking for real stealthy tini-tiny grow room. Lets call it "Nano Grow Room" so that folks don't have to go through tons of Micro Grow Threads of folks with big ass light setups for 4 to 8 plants. That is not "micro", c'mon!

Obviously I'm just kiddin but at the same time I'm really looking for feedback from guys like me that did try to grow some stuff with those led stripes.

So here is my NANO grow room. For just one plant, only one. 35x37x67 cm or 14"x15"x27" or 1x1x2 feet whatever you prefer.
I bought 4x 5m or 16 feet stripes. One 6500k, one 6000k, one 3000k and one 2700k. Cut the in 30cm/1 foot pieces and wire all this pieces in a two faces light panel. The 6000/6500K Veg side that the seller says is 6000 lumen, and the 2700/3000k Flo side that should be 6000 lumen too.
Bullshit of course, the Veg side it's around 2000/2250 lumen and the Flo side might reach 3000 lumen. Not much but should be just fine for a one square foot grow area. We are talking about 500 led units for one side and 600 led units for the other side.
P_20200319_114542.jpgP_20200319_114537.jpg

I still don't know how close I will be able to keep the plant close to the light but I think 2"to 4" should be fine. Something i culd not do with those super grow led systems.

So, for real, am I the only crazy one?
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Micro G. said:
I swear...i did search...i did search a lot.

Am I the only one trying to grow under some god damn common, simple, affordable, easy to find, motherfucking amazon led stripes? :oops: :lol:
I went trough dozen of "LED and other light" thred pages and I've only found topics with 600W grow led, super DIY growing led, ultra specific models and brands of led bulbs and stripes, ultra dense led stripes, and all the combination in between...I did search on google but nothing, nothing about common led stripes, nothing.

I know that those stripes are not the best choice, of course, but i can't believe nobody tried it. Back in the days, when HPS light seemed the only real choice(for really involved folks out there) i did my one shot experience with crappy 18w neon tubes...probably 3$ dollar each...i bought 4 cool white and 4 warm white, i did not eve checked their kelvin and use them in a cardboard box in my bedroom with nothing else but a pc fan toget rid of some heat. Long story short i had my yield. It was not a crazy amount, but it lasted for months for me and my friends. It was good, it was the result of passion even with crappy equipment.

So 15 some years after that experience I decided to have my "second shot" with a micro grow. Lots of you on "micro grow" talks about 2x2x6 feet grow room with 4-8 plant if not more...is that a micro grow? Is it? Then we should have a different forum section for folks like me that are looking for real stealthy tini-tiny grow room. Lets call it "Nano Grow Room" so that folks don't have to go through tons of Micro Grow Threads of folks with big ass light setups for 4 to 8 plants. That is not "micro", c'mon!

Obviously I'm just kiddin but at the same time I'm really looking for feedback from guys like me that did try to grow some stuff with those led stripes.

So here is my NANO grow room. For just one plant, only one. 35x37x67 cm or 14"x15"x27" or 1x1x2 feet whatever you prefer.
I bought 4x 5m or 16 feet stripes. One 6500k, one 6000k, one 3000k and one 2700k. Cut the in 30cm/1 foot pieces and wire all this pieces in a two faces light panel. The 6000/6500K Veg side that the seller says is 6000 lumen, and the 2700/3000k Flo side that should be 6000 lumen too.
Bullshit of course, the Veg side it's around 2000/2250 lumen and the Flo side might reach 3000 lumen. Not much but should be just fine for a one square foot grow area. We are talking about 500 led units for one side and 600 led units for the other side.
View attachment 4509728View attachment 4509730

I still don't know how close I will be able to keep the plant close to the light but I think 2"to 4" should be fine. Something i culd not do with those super grow led systems.

So, for real, am I the only crazy one?
Click to expand...
You need some 1' strips.
Here are Vesta's. Both 2700K and 5000K. 2 separate channs, but can both be ran at the same time too. Just have power to both channels.

BXEB-TL-2750G-1000-A-13 Bridgelux | Optoelectronics | DigiKey

Order today, ships today. BXEB-TL-2750G-1000-A-13 – LED Lighting COBs Engines Modules LED Module series White, Warm / White, Cool Linear Light Strip from Bridgelux. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.
www.digikey.com www.digikey.com
 
M

Micro G.

Active Member
I'm not buying anything, I already have my setup. I only was wondering if I'm the only one that is trying this out.
I'm sure those led module are super good, but for 3000 lumen, which should be totally fine for a 1x1 foot grow room, i prefer to have 16 evenly separated stripes instead of 3 stripe, one every 3-4" an this not mentioning that those 3 bitches have a working temperature of 85 °C. I don't even know if they need dissipation...
My setup, if i turn off ventilation, rise the temperature only about 4-5 °C, even after 18 hour. That is another reason why I choose common led stripes.
And again, how close can you keep plants to these led module? Because I have 76 cm height, 27", and the filter alone takes 7" and the pot is 6" too...which means 14" to grow dwarf plant... I'm already planning to use a lower and wider pot to gain even only 1" or 2" of space.
The forum's threads in which I saw those type of led module, or similar, say to keep the led at like 8 to 12 inch away from plants. As i said the filter alone takes 25% of my growroom height and it's ok becouse odour control is my first priority, but I have to work around it.
Maybe I'm wrong, but again, this is what i got right now and this is what I'm going to use, at least for my first run.
 
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Moflow

Moflow

Well-Known Member
How many watts are you using ?
Have you a link for the stripes, are they 12v or 24v?
 
M

Micro G.

Active Member
I had to search some more info because you can't always trust what you read on Amazon.
The stripes are both 12V.

About the Flowering side this is what I've just find out. The strip is 5 meters with 600 led SMD 2835 2700K and here are the real data:
-5 W/m
-140 lm/w
Which means 25 Watt for 3500 lumen.

About the vegetative side i've use 5 meter of a 6000K strip with 300 led 2835, 300lm/m(1500 lumen total) for 12Watt and 3 meters of a 5 meter 6500K strip with 300 led SMD 2835, 300lm/m for 18 Watt. So it shoult be a total of 2250 lumen for 21 watt
 
Canibas

Canibas

Member
Hey everyone,

I'm happy you started such thread. I have a 40x40x140 cm tent (1.2x.1.2.4.5 feet) and I light it just like you. Currently I have around 12.5 meters of similar LED home strips (12 volt). I don't know the total lumen but i'm pulling around 150 watts from the wall. The temperature is an assortment.

I use a single panel on top for veg and then I add two side panels during flower.

This is the first time i'm ruling my setup this way and so far i'm on week 5 of flowering some Super Silver Haze from Amsterdam Genetics.

Check the pictures:

IMG_20200312_163217.jpgIMG_20200305_165628.jpg

I am running three plants in a 19 liters (5 gl) pot using Biobizz line (soil and notes). So far I am happy with the work these lights are putting in to the grow.

CanIbaS
 
M

Micro G.

Active Member
Of course you are happy Canlba, you are doing an amazing job! Your plantls look really good! Our setup it is almost the same but I only have 7 meters strip for Veg and I think your led is more dens, like 120 led/m and mine is 60 led/m for vegetation.my problem is that I only have 76 cm in height...i hope that i will be able to keep the light closer then you do...i have very limited space...for this reason I think I will have to use an undersized pot to keep the plant tiny...
How did you come up with the assumption you are running 150watt?
 
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Canibas

Canibas

Member
Thanks Micro! I'm happy with this run. Only my third attempt.

Regarding the height my plants are between 50 to 60 cm. But I use the rest of the height to keep my carbon filter. I reckon if I only had one plant I could've maintained all the canopy at 50 cm. And it's a Sativa!! I believe your height is good to have a canopy like mine. No worries.

Regarding the light, and since these strips are pretty cheap, I would just add more and max out your usable area. These lights are weak and from my experience it only burns the plant (almost) only when it touches the leaves. During veg I had them as low as 5 cm.

Keep us posted with your grow!!
 
Moflow

Moflow

Well-Known Member
Canibas said:
Thanks Micro! I'm happy with this run. Only my third attempt.

Regarding the height my plants are between 50 to 60 cm. But I use the rest of the height to keep my carbon filter. I reckon if I only had one plant I could've maintained all the canopy at 50 cm. And it's a Sativa!! I believe your height is good to have a canopy like mine. No worries.

Regarding the light, and since these strips are pretty cheap, I would just add more and max out your usable area. These lights are weak and from my experience it only burns the plant (almost) only when it touches the leaves. During veg I had them as low as 5 cm.

Keep us posted with your grow!!
Click to expand...
I like the set up.
Bend those tall branches down to even the canopy out would help with yeild.
Lower the light as close to the canopy as you can without burning the flowers, they' are very weak lights so won't penetrate as far into the canopy.
Lower your thermometer down into the canopy too, away from that fan and direct light.
That's a 1m x 1m tent, say 11 sq ft and 150 watts? Is that the total watts for all 3 lights, 50 watts on top,?
That's 14 watts per sq ft.
You really need double that wattage for flowering.
1 gram per watt x 150 watts = 150 grams
 
E

end_of_the_tunnel

Well-Known Member
Micro G. said:
I had to search some more info because you can't always trust what you read on Amazon.
The stripes are both 12V.

About the Flowering side this is what I've just find out. The strip is 5 meters with 600 led SMD 2835 2700K and here are the real data:
-5 W/m
-140 lm/w
Which means 25 Watt for 3500 lumen.

About the vegetative side i've use 5 meter of a 6000K strip with 300 led 2835, 300lm/m(1500 lumen total) for 12Watt and 3 meters of a 5 meter 6500K strip with 300 led SMD 2835, 300lm/m for 18 Watt. So it shoult be a total of 2250 lumen for 21 watt
Click to expand...
Hi.
Have you had a look around all the spacebucket grows on reddit? Maybe some there using similar strips. https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceBuckets/
Closest in size area I have seen is Blynx's threads on another forum. But he used cheap led bulbs, not strips. See here, for inspiration.
 
Canibas

Canibas

Member
Moflow said:
I like the set up.
Bend those tall branches down to even the canopy out would help with yeild.
Lower the light as close to the canopy as you can without burning the flowers, they' are very weak lights so won't penetrate as far into the canopy.
Lower your thermometer down into the canopy too, away from that fan and direct light.
That's a 1m x 1m tent, say 11 sq ft and 150 watts? Is that the total watts for all 3 lights, 50 watts on top,?
That's 14 watts per sq ft.
You really need double that wattage for flowering.
1 gram per watt x 150 watts = 150 grams
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input.

I've always wondered if the temps probe was in place. Will follow your advice.

As for space, I wish I had a 1x1 meter. I actually have a secret jardin hydroshoot 0.4x0.4 meters.

About the canopy, I've tried to do what you're saying but the stem broke. One less cola...
O think that because I have three plants (and I'm very newbie at it) I couldn't control my training properly. I'm actually going to rehab an IKEA furniture to a veg tent and keep the little one as flower only. Regarding power, I really need to get some better LEDs for the flowering tent. Maybe some of the famous Samsung lm301b and keep the cheap strips for the veg tent.

Once again thank you for your input!!
 
sarahJane211

sarahJane211

Well-Known Member
I tried all sorts of cheap lighting, and the plants just didn't grow well, they were sickly, stunted and slowly dying.
Switched to a HLG 240 + 2 Chinese quantum boards (total $150) in February and suddenly I've got so much furious growth my tent is full to bursting. Only running the driver at 3/4 power as well.

Skimping on lights just didn't work for me, these plants are between 4 and 7 weeks old coco in 3 and 5 gal fabric pots in a Mars Hydro 2 x 4 tent.
I was only gonna grow one or two as well, but things sort of got away from me.
Rear left White widow auto (2 weeks old), Red Diesel photo, Amnesia auto (flowering), front left Lemon Kush photo, Orange Punch photo x2
IMG_20200322_183641.jpg
 
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Moflow

Moflow

Well-Known Member
Canibas said:
Thank you for your input.

I've always wondered if the temps probe was in place. Will follow your advice.

As for space, I wish I had a 1x1 meter. I actually have a secret jardin hydroshoot 0.4x0.4 meters.

About the canopy, I've tried to do what you're saying but the stem broke. One less cola...
O think that because I have three plants (and I'm very newbie at it) I couldn't control my training properly. I'm actually going to rehab an IKEA furniture to a veg tent and keep the little one as flower only. Regarding power, I really need to get some better LEDs for the flowering tent. Maybe some of the famous Samsung lm301b and keep the cheap strips for the veg tent.

Once again thank you for your input!!
Click to expand...
Try and gently crush the stems with finger and thumb, not on the one spot but about an inch long - 25mm usually works or twist the stem as you are squeezing it. Don't just snap it over at one point at 90°
Just do it slowly and gently, take your time.
The stem will fall over.
Any damage will repair. If it damages too much you can tape it round with Gorrilla tape etc.
Or tie it down with string or wire. Slowly of course, watching it doesn't split lower down.
Good luck with your endeavours
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
If you're talking about supercropping, it's all about tenderizin' that tissue underneath the the main skin. You'll have more success if as moflow mentioned, you soften a good length of the stem. You'll want to pinch it and ROLL IT between your fingers. If threatens a bit thick, use pliers with some duct taped wrapped on the pinchers. If you're scared to finish the whole bend, it's doesnt hurt to go halfway one day, re soften the stem and bend the rest of the way over however many days it takes.
 
Canibas

Canibas

Member
Hey there,

Thanks for such comprehensive tutorial for snapping stems. I wonder if this is the HST I hear about...

Anyways, I'm 5 weeks into flower (9 - 10 weeks according to breeder for ripe) do you guys think it's that worth it now? Will those two tops damage the growth of the other less taller ones? I understand that because of those two I cannot lower the lights but I've put the side ones to compensate for that .

Makes sense to you?
 
Canibas

Canibas

Member
All right! Well then for the sake of learning I'll give it a shot at one of the tall Cola I have, to start, I understand I need both down to lower the lights :)

Do it slowly and in many states if necessary! Got it!!!

Thank you.
 
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