Help with Adding on Lights

mastadj19

Well-Known Member
Hello all!
Just started a new grow after some time away. I invested in a 2x4x5 AC Infinity tent along with a carbon filter and inline fan set up (6 inches). I opted to buy a spider farmer SF1000 but quickly am realizing I will need more as I’m planning on doing 2 plants at a time maybe 3.
With all of that known, I’m looking for recommendations on supplemental lighting that’s appropriate for 2-3 autoflowers in the tent space I have to add on to the SF1000. Quality and cost effective options are preferred. Looking to stay LED and would like to have no more than 2-3 total lights in the tent.
Thanks in advance for any help! Always willing to learn.
PS here’s a pic of my set up as we stand.
 

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MustGro

Well-Known Member
I had a SF2000 and sold it. Nothing wrong with their line except you can get the same light from better manufacturers, cheaper. HLG is great quality. I'm in Canada and use these https://www.growlights.ca/250-watt-fb288-lm301h-3000k-660nm-uv-ir-led-fusion-board-light.html
They were cheaper than my SF2000, have more 660Nm diodes, plus they have 4 UV and 4 IR diodes per board. Also I don't have a warranty from a Chinese company; they're in Canada and that matters 'cause I had a driver fail and they replaced it.
 

LEDTonic - Daniel

Active Member
Hey. I'd recommend reading a bit about PPFD (light intensity) and how different types of lamps emit their light to create unique light footprints.
In short, PPFD is light intensity (or photon density, same thing essentially) and we can measure this with various sensors. We also know how intense light plants prefer. Mature cannabis plants do well with 600-1000 PPFD while seedlings should be given around 200-300 PPFD.

A powerful grow light (which consumes many watts) will generally emit more light than a weaker grow light, assuming hardware of similar efficacy is used, i.e. similar driver and similar diodes.
Once it's clear that a low-power grow light can't fill a large space with enough light, the next question should be "how powerful grow light do I need for my YxZ space?"

Grow light brands should publish PPFD maps of their lamps. In other words, an image showing how the emitted light from the lamp is distributed over a specific area. On a PPFD map you'll see what PPFD levels are achieved by the lamp in various spots. You'll see, for instance, that a light emits 1000 PPFD in the very center spot but only 100 PPFD in the corner. You want to find a lamp which through its PPFD maps shows that it can cover your grow area with high enough PPFD for your own preference. I'd aim for an average PPFD of at least 400. The higher the average PPFD, the more powerful lamp you'll need which, of course, means a bigger investment.

I think you'll benefit in the long run from understanding how light intensity and light distribution works and how a grower should think when buying a grow light.

We have an article on the subject here:

Hope this helps.
 
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