- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Messages
- 3,110
- Reputation
- 431
- Reaction score
- 10,018
- Points
- 0
- Currently Smoking
- La Buena Hierba Panama Haze
Efficiency matters more than spectrum. I would look into DIY Bridgelux Vesta fixture as they have an adjustable range of spectrum between 2700-5000k and enough far red that you would only need 720nm for end of day treatments. Add in AgroMax UVA and UVB.
HLG makes far red and deep red strips that are inexpensive to supplement the Vesta build. CutterAU sells the most efficient blue chips by NichiaOptisolis but they are quite expensive. The Vestas are reasonable and produce around 2.5 -2.8umols
The different spectrums affect plant morphology as far as root growth, stem elongation, etc. There's a lot of other factors that affect plant morphology beyond lighting like nutrition, irrigation practices, etc. What you are essentially trying to do is crop steering by manipulating the light spectrum.
Basically I would focus on efficiency over spectrum and the Autocobs are very efficient, UV supplementation would be beneficial but a DIY build with full spectrum strips from Bridgelux/Samsung/Cutter AU will outdo the majority of what manufacturers sell pre built.
I second watching Bruce Bugbee's videos but most of this goes beyond the budget or perceived need of most home growers and a fixture from Fluence/Chilled would be more than adequate.
The other thing, I saw c02 mentioned, is that depending on your grow style larger plants need higher PPFD to achieve adequate DLI. The link talks about Sea of Green specifically but you need a range of 48-64 in DLI. Most growers will never need c02 and it doesn't improve quality but merely improves growth rates.
You'll need a sealed room that is practically entirely automated with a burner or tank and a controller - over $500 altogether so far not including the sealed room. Nutrition and environment have to be in point from the start with complete control over temps and humidity. Plants will transpire 99% of all the water they drink so dehumidifier is essential plus maintaining everything within VPD while venting at lights off. Imo I think it's a massive expenditure for no improvement in quality but larger yield that could be spent on other aspects of a grow especially if you aren't selling to clients.
HLG makes far red and deep red strips that are inexpensive to supplement the Vesta build. CutterAU sells the most efficient blue chips by NichiaOptisolis but they are quite expensive. The Vestas are reasonable and produce around 2.5 -2.8umols
The different spectrums affect plant morphology as far as root growth, stem elongation, etc. There's a lot of other factors that affect plant morphology beyond lighting like nutrition, irrigation practices, etc. What you are essentially trying to do is crop steering by manipulating the light spectrum.
Basically I would focus on efficiency over spectrum and the Autocobs are very efficient, UV supplementation would be beneficial but a DIY build with full spectrum strips from Bridgelux/Samsung/Cutter AU will outdo the majority of what manufacturers sell pre built.
I second watching Bruce Bugbee's videos but most of this goes beyond the budget or perceived need of most home growers and a fixture from Fluence/Chilled would be more than adequate.
The other thing, I saw c02 mentioned, is that depending on your grow style larger plants need higher PPFD to achieve adequate DLI. The link talks about Sea of Green specifically but you need a range of 48-64 in DLI. Most growers will never need c02 and it doesn't improve quality but merely improves growth rates.
You'll need a sealed room that is practically entirely automated with a burner or tank and a controller - over $500 altogether so far not including the sealed room. Nutrition and environment have to be in point from the start with complete control over temps and humidity. Plants will transpire 99% of all the water they drink so dehumidifier is essential plus maintaining everything within VPD while venting at lights off. Imo I think it's a massive expenditure for no improvement in quality but larger yield that could be spent on other aspects of a grow especially if you aren't selling to clients.
Last edited: