Lighting Need fast response! Question about which LED to use in my setup

Illini4life

Dope Farmer ⛽
Joined
Apr 16, 2019
Messages
1,155
Reputation
25
Reaction score
2,924
Points
0
Currently Smoking
White Crack - Mephisto
Hi everyone I am going to be starting my first grow this week and I have a question regarding my light setup....

So I will be using a 3ftx3ftx6ft grow tent, and my question is whether a 2000w LED would be too much for this space? I figure more can't hurt and if I decide to upgrade my space this light is rated to cover a 4ftx8ft tent by itself. Hope I can get some speedy answers because I am planning on making a light purchase today. I bought a 1000 watt LED but decided to go bigger in case I want to upgrade my space in the future which is a good possibility. I will leave a link for the light below. I am about to start germinating my seeds today, and will use the 1000 watt until the heavier duty light arrives. I hope someone, anyone can help me out because I just do not have any experience with growing at all and I do not want to hurt my babies.

Amazon product ASIN B01MY27Q9H
edit these pull a true wattage of 370+- 5%. also they have a 1500 w version of this light as well. Its a $40 difference so I was going to go with the higher 2000w unless you give me reason not to!
 
Last edited:
Hi everyone I am going to be starting my first grow this week and I have a question regarding my light setup....

So I will be using a 3ftx3ftx6ft grow tent, and my question is whether a 2000w LED would be too much for this space? I figure more can't hurt and if I decide to upgrade my space this light is rated to cover a 4ftx8ft tent by itself. Hope I can get some speedy answers because I am planning on making a light purchase today. I bought a 1000 watt LED but decided to go bigger in case I want to upgrade my space in the future which is a good possibility. I will leave a link for the light below. I am about to start germinating my seeds today, and will use the 1000 watt until the heavier duty light arrives. I hope someone, anyone can help me out because I just do not have any experience with growing at all and I do not want to hurt my babies.

Amazon product ASIN B01MY27Q9H
edit these pull a true wattage of 370+- 5%. also they have a 1500 w version of this light as well. Its a $40 difference so I was going to go with the higher 2000w unless you give me reason not to!
I recommend https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-qb-v2-led-kit

You are going to like the these over anything you find on Amazon and these can always be re wired to a larger wattage driver and more boards added in

CobsCocoDTWMxPScrog Watch Me Mess Up
 
I recommend https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-qb-v2-led-kit

You are going to like the these over anything you find on Amazon and these can always be re wired to a larger wattage driver and more boards added in

CobsCocoDTWMxPScrog Watch Me Mess Up
thanks for the quick response. I am already pushing my budget with my set up as is, I am in about $500 for my tent setup, 6in. inline, 6in. filter, tent, and light priced at $220. I set a firm budget of $500 for my tent for awhile because with seeds, soil and nutes I am in close to $650. I never realized the amount of overhead needed even for a moderate grow. I literally can go up to about $250 max on lighting and I am not that tech savvy so having to add more to a board sounds terrifying to me. Sorry, I should have included my budget in my initial post.
 
thanks for the quick response. I am already pushing my budget with my set up as is, I am in about $500 for my tent setup, 6in. inline, 6in. filter, tent, and light priced at $220. I set a firm budget of $500 for my tent for awhile because with seeds, soil and nutes I am in close to $650. I never realized the amount of overhead needed even for a moderate grow. I literally can go up to about $250 max on lighting and I am not that tech savvy so having to add more to a board sounds terrifying to me. Sorry, I should have included my budget in my initial post.
Let me see what I can come up with but are you comfortable with DIY?

CobsCocoDTWMxPScrog Watch Me Mess Up
 
If you don't mind diy then

https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

Scroll to the 3x3 section

I would use 15 of the suggested strips with this driver

https://onlinemeanwell.com/en/hlg320h20a-1495.html?___from_store=spanish

14 gauge solid core wire from home depot is like $12

You need some wire cutters, some 1/8"x1 aluminum to make a frame, don't buy the recommended heat sink, 4 rope hangers and the rest of the of the list is fine.

Otherwise for your budget I would recommend the hlg qb132 four pack with one of their suggested drivers but they are sold out

You may just have to settle for something on Amazon

CobsCocoDTWMxPScrog Watch Me Mess Up
 
The rule that most follow for led is 30-35w per square ft. 370w would be over 40w per square ft. Considering the distance between the tent and the light, and the light and canopy, you may have issues in flower depending on plant sizes.
 
If you don't mind diy then

https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

Scroll to the 3x3 section

I would use 15 of the suggested strips with this driver

https://onlinemeanwell.com/en/hlg320h20a-1495.html?___from_store=spanish

14 gauge solid core wire from home depot is like $12

You need some wire cutters, some 1/8"x1 aluminum to make a frame, don't buy the recommended heat sink, 4 rope hangers and the rest of the of the list is fine.

Otherwise for your budget I would recommend the hlg qb132 four pack with one of their suggested drivers but they are sold out

You may just have to settle for something on Amazon

CobsCocoDTWMxPScrog Watch Me Mess Up
No right now I am looking for a ready to go light. In the future I will be more willing but for the time being I just want to get off the ground running and not have to worry about anything like a diy tent, lighting, etc. Thank you for the info and I will keep you in mind if that time comes because you seem quite knowledgeable.
 
The rule that most follow for led is 30-35w per square ft. 370w would be over 40w per square ft. Considering the distance between the tent and the light, and the light and canopy, you may have issues in flower depending on plant sizes.
I'm planning on running at most 3 plants. I will lst as much as possible to keep them from climbing too close to the light. If run the proposed light I will be sitting at 41 w per sq ft like you said. What issues could I run into? Burned leaves? Flowers? I am a true rookie so this is good information to know.
 
This is the par value of the light I linked above, at certain heights. Is this too much going on for a 6 ft tall tent? If it is decent can you give me recommendations for light height at each stage of growth. With the hangers provided I will have a solid 4 feet between my grow bags and the light.
Screenshot_20190501-154729.png
 
Last edited:
This is the par value of the light I linked above, at certain heights. Is this too much going on for a 6 ft tall tent? If it is decent can you give me recommendations for light height at each stage of growth. With the hangers provided I will have a solid 4 feet between my grow bags and the light.View attachment 1053736
I would keep it between 6-12" IF their par values are actually correct. Here's some literature on PAR and stuff. If you need any help just message me, I can't help with soil growing but training techniques and other little fun things I can help with. I'm a crappy hydro(?) grower but for the money we spend as a hobby and to meditate ourselves it's always nice to find a few choice friends that can be used a resources in a pinch. Link me your journal when it's up and going. Mine is down below in my Sig but it it's a photo period whereas if you search my 00 seeds thread I have a northern lights grow documented almost daily.

Good luck on your purchase and grow. If I'm not helpful then @archie gemmill can point the way. He's like sriracha, he's on everything lol
a8a6b6f435aa8b18e39267e8752764c7.jpg
8d8cd45c56871d2660df7a3ea6e1896b.jpg
ad2be88c22597a94f645b895fe926e20.jpg


CobsCocoDTWMxPScrog Watch Me Mess Up
 
Back
Top