Distance from plant, Pro-Grow 180

[brotherjericho]

Just got my PG180 the other day and hung it this morning. For those who have experience with this light, what is the recommended distance from the light to the top of the plant? I only have one plant under it, both switches turned on, and the light is 12" from the top. I was vegging it under some 55w PL-Ls, distance about 2-4" once it matured a bit. I plan to continue vegging to see how the plant likes the new LED, then switch over to flower once I get a few more things taken care of (a light leak or two).

So is 12" good for this light or do I need to move it up or down?

Plant is Female Seeds Neville's Haze, only 7" tall and 9" wide, but on its 9th true node.

Thanks!

 

[senorfrisk]

I have a PG180 and I think the height should be 18-24 inches during veg and 12-16 inches for flower. If you have any supplemental lighting, it helps too. I use both switches until the last two weeks, then just the red.

 

[brotherjericho]

Thanks. Did you base these distances on experience of being too close and having bad reactions (ie, bleaching) or just general recommendations for LEDs?

One day under 12" seems to be OK for my plant, no negatives that I can tell, but one day is not enough to make a determination. It is quite mature in age so I thing 12" will be OK.

 

[senorfrisk]

When I first got it, I hung it 8 inches away. It started making these pin point burns in several places on the leaves after a couple of days. The other leaves looked fine. Then I moved it up to 16in away and no more burns. Then, I read a bunch off stuff on here. It has something to do with PAR and a bunch of other scientific crap about light that made my head spin. Essentially, if the light is too close or too far, you will get more stretching during vegging and fluffy not dense buds when flowering. The trick is to find the sweet spot. I finished my first grow about a month ago, and I got about 60gms from two bagseeds beauties and I commited every noob mistake out there. The red for the last 2 weeks was something I read about on RIU. I tried it. I dunno if it helps, but it didn't hurt.

 

[j.p.s.w]

Can't wait to add to this thread when I get my Pro Grow 180

 

[brotherjericho]

2 days under the PG180 and I do not note any ill effects, stretching or bleaching. I have some tears in some top leaves, but I do not think they have anything to do with the light. If I see more, I'm going to go critter hunting.

 

[beasters]

is 8 inches too close for a 180 blackstar? i am worried it might bleach the little ones as they are only 3 weeks old.

 

[brotherjericho]

is 8 inches too close for a 180 blackstar? i am worried it might bleach the little ones as they are only 3 weeks old.

Not familiar with that one, but I'd back the light off some and see if you experience stretch. Its better to have stretch than bleaching because the latter is permanent damage.

 

[brotherjericho]

Still not sure at this point on the right light distance for this panel. I've had it as close as 5" from the top cola without any discernible problems. Plant is getting fairly close to finishing. BUT...if I move it out to say 12", will that be beneficial in any way?

 

[FranJan]

Brother J what does the plant say? If it appears healthy, with no strange reactions going on, leave the panel be. Sure you can get it too close at some point if you're trying to get the densest nugs and tops, but it is also strain dependant in my opinion. I have a SLH that can't go nearer than 12 inches or so to a panel or it will start to get stressed. Meanwhile I have a Magic Bud plant that you could probably lay the light on and it wouldn't matter to it. So go with what the plant is telling you. If it looks healthy and is finishing well, you're in the plants/light's sweet-spot and at that point it's all about the finish, right? Good Luck and Happy Growing.