Light to space ratio?

[stickyfly]

Hey guys! First time posting and first time trying this crazy growing thing!! I am limited in space and I have a cabinet that is approximately 24x24x30 that my operation will need to fit in. I have been doing plenty of research on keeping plants low and such like but I'm not 100% sure how much light I will need for 3-4 plants...and if possible more? I have no clue how many plants will fit comfortably but I think 4 would easily be separated enough if I can keep them short. Is 300w LED too much? Anyone running similar sized setups?

 

[Ginger Viking]

With the limited head space I would suggest building a DIY light using led light strips. Bridglux EB Gen 2s 560mm length would be just right for that size area. 30-50 watts per square foot is generally what is suggested. You have 4sq ft so 150 watts of the light strips would do you good. 300 actual watts would be too much but most leds have advertised and actual wattage. I'd do at least 50 actual watts per sq ft if you go with cheap leds. These light strips run extremely cool which make them very good to work with in small grow spaces.

 

[GBAUTO]

I have to agree with GV on this-you're dealing with an incredibly cramped space so heat management is going to be a challenge. The strips would be the most efficient way to give you enough light to make it worth your time. I stuck a couple of auto's in a downstairs closet(2x2) in DWC buckets-you should try for at least double the plant count because of you headroom limits.

 

[dtl420]

It is suggested to have 35watt/square foot of led, otherwise 45watt/square foot. It never hurts to have a little extra, but too much is wasteful overkill.

 

[WxMan]

I'm in the middle of my first grow and have gone through a number of modifications to my space as a result of heat, humidity and height issues. Keep a close watch on the environment in your cabinet.

 

[stickyfly]

Update, my space is actually only 20 x 21" so about 2.9 sqft, I will look into the light strips but I'm hesitant to do much electrical DIY due to fire hazard concerns...I have pets. At the end of the day I would be fine with just 1 or 2 plants in here. I should have asked all of this before I bought the light, but that was a week or 2 ago haha...the LED light itself is around 4500 lumens and I found somewhere that says its only 80W actual? thats probably not enough

 

[klozetgrow]

Probably enough for your space till you do what's recommended with the strip lighting or maybe a quantum board but heat is gonna be a issue in that space not to mention head room for the light maybe two quantum boards ran soft

 

[stickyfly]

I have a 4 bulb outlet coming. I have 2 6500k 23w 1600 lumen CFLs I'm there now, once the outlet comes I will have 4. Currently heat is not an issue with my improvised fan setup, exhaust fan in the mail. Humidity is an issue for sure, way low. Pics of setup (will remove power strip)

 

[klozetgrow]

The led will run a little hotter I imagine (no experiance with led) temps look good right now

 

[WxMan]

Stickyfly I have a similar sized setup for my veg room at 24" X 24" X 36". I have an i-Venoya 150W LED grow light and a Morsen 80W LED Grow bulb in an 8" aluminum reflector both from Amazon. I have a small desktop humidifier connected to a humidity controller to keep humidity around 65%. I have a computer fan for exhaust and another near the top for circulation. I've been pretty successful at keeping my temps under 82F.

 

[stickyfly]

that's an awesome looking setup you have there! do you know the Lumens and actual W of your 150?

 

[Lordhooha]

that's an awesome looking setup you have there! do you know the Lumens and actual W of your 150?

Lumens mean nothing in growing. You should never be worried about how many lumens when buying a grow light. PAR, spectrum, watts those matter not lumens.

 

[Lordhooha]

that's an awesome looking setup you have there! do you know the Lumens and actual W of your 150?

@WxMan when you both decide on moving bigger check out cob lights and quantum boards. It’s worth the move I run a bit over 6000 watts worth of cobs and I’m about to build a qb light. They’ll give you a much better product and if done right temps are good too.

 

[WxMan]

Lordhooha it's listed at 45W. My flower room has two AdvancedLEDLights Diamond Series XML150 with 64 3W chips & 4 10W COBs on each. Power output 232W each. I just transitioned from a 400W HID. Can you say learning curve!
Thanks Stickyfly.

 

[Drunktoad]

hey guys. im looking to get a tent , 3x3,7 feet high. Looking to diy style cob led setup. Would you guys recomend the same strips ?

 

[klozetgrow]

Strips and diy cobs differ would stick to cobs myself 4/5 cree3590 or equivalent would work nice in that space but the quantum boards look nice as well but a little pricey

 

[stickyfly]

So I think you guys were right, my 300W light (https://www.ebay.com/itm/183002038656) is too much for my box. It may not be too much light but it is too much heat and I cannot vent enough of it out with my exhaust fan pulling through my filter.

Can you recommend a smaller Full Spectrum LED? I dont mind spending a bit of money but I do not want a DIY setup, I want something certified so my shit doesnt go up in smoke...before I get to smoke it!

I would prefer a square or rectangle light over a UFO but whatever you guys think would be best for my small box, please let me know! I'm working with 21" x 21" x 28" of space more or less.

 

[GBAUTO]

Something like this would be perfect. https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/diy/products/135w-led-board-kit?variant=36388462098

 

[WxMan]

@WxMan when you both decide on moving bigger check out cob lights and quantum boards. It’s worth the move I run a bit over 6000 watts worth of cobs and I’m about to build a qb light. They’ll give you a much better product and if done right temps are good too.

@Lordhooha I really want to get comfortable with the COBs and how the plants react. The 2 cheap ebay lights I have for vegging are surprisingly efficient. The Venoya is dimmable and the Morsen 80 LED Bulb generates very little heat.

Flowering is a different story. Not yet comfortable with the COB/LED combination I have with my Advanced LED Lights Diamond Series lights at this point. A significant reduction in heat generated over standard 400w HID I was using. Gaining confidence I am...

 

[Lordhooha]

@Lordhooha I really want to get comfortable with the COBs and how the plants react. The 2 cheap ebay lights I have for vegging are surprisingly efficient. The Venoya is dimmable and the Morsen 80 LED Bulb generates very little heat.
View attachment 4088866View attachment 4088868
Flowering is a different story. Not yet comfortable with the COB/LED combination I have with my Advanced LED Lights Diamond Series lights at this point. A significant reduction in heat generated over standard 400w HID I was using. Gaining confidence I am...

I’ve used all manner of leds. i have a couple kinds xl1000 sitting around, black dog, lush and all sorts sitting around none have done anywhere near what cobs can achieve. They all generally work well during veg but you notice a marked difference when it comes to flower. Cobs and quantum boards are a big jump when it comes to flowering time.