How to choose the LED light?

[sweetnsourgl]

Hi. I'm totally new to growing and I'm not sure what LED light to buy or to make it myself (I want to use LED to save the electric). My growing space is 60(w) x 160(l) cm and I will be growing feminized northern light, 8 plants. I have a few questions:
- How many lm do I need?
- How many wattage do I need?
- What colour should I use?
I really have no idea about these electric stuff... Please help me Thank you!!!

 

[HydroKid239]

Hi. I'm totally new to growing and I'm not sure what LED light to buy or to make it myself (I want to use LED to save the electric). My growing space is 60(w) x 160(l) cm and I will be growing feminized northern light, 8 plants. I have a few questions:
- How many lm do I need?
- How many wattage do I need?
- What colour should I use?
I really have no idea about these electric stuff... Please help me Thank you!!!

If you are new.. why not start with 2 in that space? Just keep them small, and learn thru the 1st grow.
What is your budget for the light?

 

[sweetnsourgl]

I want to start with 8 The cheaper the better lol. I just want to know about the lm, watt and colour then I think I can DIY

 

[HydroKid239]

I want to start with 8 The cheaper the better lol. I just want to know about the lm, watt and colour then I think I can DIY

So that’s about 2x5ft.. awkward space but you should be able to squeeze 8 in there if you only veg for 3-4 weeks. How much vertical space? And again what’s the budget? You are going to spend a minimum of 2-300 on light to cover that 5 ft space. I would put my spider farmers in there if I had to work with what I have. But maybe check out mars hydro sp3000. It’s a bar style light probably perfect for your space. It is cheap for the space & quality.. but still $439. You could go with 2x TS1000 for about $300. There are more high end lights, but from my end mars gives the best lights for the lower price ranged led’s.

 

[Destroyer of chairs]

If cheaper the better but u still want quality components, go for kingbrite or meiju. Its cheap but use good diodes and drivers. Gotta shop from alibaba though.

U should be looking for par and ppfd values, not lumen. Specially with leds.

Space is about 1m2. 480w or more should do it.

Colour, I would go for the white lights cause it's alot easier on the eyes and generally blurple is cancer.

Kelvin, if ur using lights for both veg and flower i would go for 3500k.
If not 2700k for flower and 6500k for veg.

Edit. If u lack vertical space, prob best to do look into led bars. Hydrokid mentioned them. Some of them can come crazy close the canopy.

 

[HydroKid239]

If cheaper the better but u still want quality components, go for kingbrite or meiju. Its cheap but use good diodes and drivers. Gotta shop from alibaba though.

U should be looking for par and ppfd values, not lumen. Specially with leds.

Space is about 1m2. 480w or more should do it.

Colour, I would go for the white lights cause it's alot easier on the eyes and generally blurple is cancer.

Kelvin, if ur using lights for both veg and flower i would go for 3500k.
If not 2700k for flower and 6500k for veg.

Edit. If u lack vertical space, prob best to do look into led bars. Hydrokid mentioned them. Some of them can come crazy close the canopy.

That route can get some decent lights for great prices.. but I can't see the OP wanting to wait the time it takes to get it shipped to the door. That's the only downside.. When I go to buy something... it's because I needed it an hour ago lol

 

[LEDTonic - Daniel]

Hey!

I would start by familiarizing myself with the term "PPFD" (in unit µmol/m2/s). PPFD (light intensity or photon density) is a more accurate way to measure light than lumen. PPFD is a spot measurement that tells you how much light lands on a specific area. Lumen tell you the total output of a lamp but it does not take into account where the light is projected. Since you're new to growing I suggest you aim for a PPFD level of around 600 µmol/m2/s. Mature cannabis plants do well at 600-900, or possibly a bit higher assuming that all other factors like nutrients, temperature, humidity, CO2, etc are met.
Light manufacturers will present so called light footprint maps showing what PPFD levels the lamp emits over a specific area.

If this seems too complicated, the general rule of thumb is 30-35 watt/sq ft. This is easier to work with but again, this does not take into account where the light is projected. There are plenty of lamps out there with high PPFD values (hot spots) right underneath the lamp but a foot away the levels are drastically lower.

White light is the way to go. Within white light there's a so called "Kelvin" spectrum. 3500K (Kelvin) is the most common white light spectrum for full cycle grows. Growers sometimes use 4000K for veg (which is a bit more blue-ish/cold white) and sometimes 3000K for flowering (which is red-ish/warm white).

 

[bk78]

That route can get some decent lights for great prices.. but I can't see the OP wanting to wait the time it takes to get it shipped to the door. That's the only downside.. When I go to buy something... it's because I needed it an hour ago lol

ive had 20 orders from Meijiu all arrive within 5-7 days of placing my order. What were your wait times when you placed your orders through meij or kingbrit?

 

[HydroKid239]

ive had 20 orders from Meijiu all arrive within 5-7 days of placing my order. What were your wait times when you placed your orders through meij or kingbrit?

Not all of us live in Thailand

 

[bk78]

Not all of us live in Thailand

Answer the question please. What were your wait times when you placed your orders for lights throughout meijiu or kingbrite?

 

[HydroKid239]

Answer the question please. What were your wait times when you placed your orders for lights throughout meijiu or kingbrite?

There are ship times posted on each product page. Please see the site itself if you need further assistance. This is the internet, the info is there.

 

[bk78]

There are ship times posted on each product page. Please see the site itself if you need further assistance. This is the internet, the info is there.

Yes I get that. But how long did your orders take when you ordered from either mentioned above?

 

[HydroKid239]

Yes I get that. But how long did your orders take when you ordered from either mentioned above?

Take your hard on elsewhere.

 

[HydroKid239]

Yes I get that. But how long did your orders take when you ordered from either mentioned above?

Turtle mode obviously served you no good.

 

[bk78]

Turtle mode obviously served you no good.

I’ve asked a simple question which should require a easy simple answer from someone who’s ordered from either place.

Have you ever ordered from either place? if not how can you tell people what shipping times are if you’ve never lived the real life experience? Do you just type stuff just to get more comments for rep points? I type everything I’ve ever typed on this site from real world experience, you should try it sometime

 

[bk78]

Turtle mode obviously served you no good.

Turtle mod has definitely reformed me. I would’ve laughed and called you names last month. I’ve been very respectful to you even though you’re talking out your ass without nothing to back up anything you’re saying.

Have a fantastic day bro.

 

[twentyeight.threefive]

Turtle mod has definitely reformed me. I would’ve laughed and called you names last month. I’ve been very respectful to you even though you’re talking out your ass without nothing to back up anything you’re saying.

Have a fantastic day bro.

I'm convinced he's just here to start trouble and hand out advice without experience behind it.

 

[C-CAT]

Hey!

I would start by familiarizing myself with the term "PPFD" (in unit µmol/m2/s). PPFD (light intensity or photon density) is a more accurate way to measure light than lumen. PPFD is a spot measurement that tells you how much light lands on a specific area. Lumen tell you the total output of a lamp but it does not take into account where the light is projected. Since you're new to growing I suggest you aim for a PPFD level of around 600 µmol/m2/s. Mature cannabis plants do well at 600-900, or possibly a bit higher assuming that all other factors like nutrients, temperature, humidity, CO2, etc are met.
Light manufacturers will present so called light footprint maps showing what PPFD levels the lamp emits over a specific area.

If this seems too complicated, the general rule of thumb is 30-35 watt/sq ft. This is easier to work with but again, this does not take into account where the light is projected. There are plenty of lamps out there with high PPFD values (hot spots) right underneath the lamp but a foot away the levels are drastically lower.

White light is the way to go. Within white light there's a so called "Kelvin" spectrum. 3500K (Kelvin) is the most common white light spectrum for full cycle grows. Growers sometimes use 4000K for veg (which is a bit more blue-ish/cold white) and sometimes 3000K for flowering (which is red-ish/warm white).

I agree on the hit spots! I like a light that covers the grow area, not a centralized concentration of light. That's why I like the Game Changer 680 (37x11) each panel, that and more PPFD value. Perfect for a 5x5 tent. HLG 650, and Spider Farner 7000 are more central concentration, so outer edges aren't getting as much intensity.

 

[LEDTonic - Daniel]

I agree on the hit spots! I like a light that covers the grow area, not a centralized concentration of light. That's why I like the Game Changer 680 (37x11) each panel, that and more PPFD value. Perfect for a 5x5 tent. HLG 650, and Spider Farner 7000 are more central concentration, so outer edges aren't getting as much intensity.

Thanks!
I can't find any PPFD maps for the 680 but if you're aware of its light distribution I'd love to hear how you think it compares to our Q7:

Q7 LED Grow Light

LEDTonic Q7 LED Grow Light. A 320W full spectrum grow light designed for high-light plants like cannabis. The lamp is built with highly efficient Samsung LM301H diodes and Mean Well 320W driver. Its unique design makes it a suitable light for all types of grow spaces and tents; 2x4', 3x3', 4x4'...

www.ledtonic.com

Keep in mind that the Q7 runs at 320W so an honest comparison would probably be 2x Q7s (640W) compared to one 680W Game Changer.

 

[C-CAT]

I like the dimensions of the GC 680. I didn't see any dimensions on yours? Similar components on both light. 1800 PPFD measured in a sphere (international standard) by an independent laboratory. Not a random par meter, in a random tent st close proximity by the lights manufacturer.