Grow Room UFO led and micro growing?

[teaparty]

I found this UFO led light at my local hydro store, it has 125 LED 1 watt each.

My grow space is 1 ft x 1ft x 2ft high, really small.

I've heard about light bleaching when using LED, especially those panels with 3w diodes (or stronger). Would I have a safe distance with only 2ft height? (yes, I will LST), I'm more worried about that "sunbleaching effect"

I'm not sure whether to risk buying this light, as it isn't of any known brand, rather locally made by the store itself.

So far I've grown with a 150w CFL, with satisfactory results, but would like to try LED to see what gives, as I cannot use a stronger CFL in there. The ones 200w and more are too long and don't fit in my tiny space.

What do you guys think, can I keep 1 watt LEDs that close to the plants?

 

[Bigolnoob]

I tried one of those in almost the exact same area. It caused a need for super early harvest. But hey, I love to experiment and perhaps you do too! Just be ready for a back up plan. Notice the pic, the yellow is yellow no matter what.

 

[Hal 8999]

I would recommend a Vipar in 3 watt power. Make sure it does not have focusing lenses. Those will burn plants when close. The Vipars do not use IR or UV, so you can get within two inches just fine. Make sure you use silica to help handle the light intensity. If done right, two feet is enough space to grow.

 

[teaparty]

View attachment 509495 I tried one of those in almost the exact same area. It caused a need for super early harvest. But hey, I love to experiment and perhaps you do too! Just be ready for a back up plan. Notice the pic, the yellow is yellow no matter what.

What kind of LED did you use and how close exactly? Did it affect yield or taste?

 

[teaparty]

I would recommend a Vipar in 3 watt power. Make sure it does not have focusing lenses. Those will burn plants when close. The Vipars do not use IR or UV, so you can get within two inches just fine. Make sure you use silica to help handle the light intensity. If done right, two feet is enough space to grow.

what do you mean by "use silica"?

 

[elsamurai]

I use a Galaxy hydro 90x3w ufo with great results in a 3x3x3foot cab. no bleaching at all. just a lot of cal/mag and silica to toughen up the plant.

 

[Hal 8999]

I use Apollo Horticulture, Dirt Genius and Vipar led grow panels. The reason I recommend the Vipar is they run the coolest of all the ones I have used. You are going to need to do everything you can to control heat in a space that size. The closer you get without burning the better. I currently have a plant two inches from a 600 watt 5 watt diode panel with IR. It has handled that, but it should be about four inches. It grew way more than I expected. Closer proximity gives stickier and stinkier weed.

 

[Hal 8999]

When I say use silica I mean as an additive. It will give your plants much greater heat and cold tolerance, and stronger stems. It also helps plants process light. Just make sure to adjust ph after adding it. The stuff is very alkaline and pushes the ph up.

 

[Hal 8999]

I had a photo grow that got so out of control it was pressed against the led for its finish. I only experienced minor burning and bleaching. Mainly where the IR diodes were at. The Vipars would have probable not burned at all.

 

[Hal 8999]

I only use a 1/4 teaspoon silica per gallon. When I use to use more it did not work as well. Once I started using less it got the thickest stalks ever, and much tougher greener plants. I use Armor Si.