led light for 3x3 seedling/clone tent

X

Xsan

Well-Known Member
Trying to decide on a light for my seedling clone tent. Want to stick with led just to keep lighting consistent throughout plant life. Tent will only be for clone and seedling stage. Once the girls get to be a few weeks they will go into their own 4x4 tent with meijiu f8 max 650

HLG100 seems like she might do the trick but wouldn't be opposed to another brand if it can get here within the next 3 weeks or so. Considering this is only a clone/seedling tent, I would imagine some of the newer mars hydro lights would suffice as well. Not really looking into DIY at this point. Will probably play with that later on when funds allow.
 
GoatSoup

GoatSoup

Well-Known Member
CHeck out the latest on the cheap lights on the Best Deals thread. I got a 150 watt light for $44 and delivery can be really fast if you have prime or pay $11. Or a $100 Bestva light. I'm using a Bestva 1000 for my grow now and it is impressive for a 100 watt light. much better spectrum than the cheapy.
 
Alien GreenThumbs

Alien GreenThumbs

Member
I love my hlg 100v2, i use it in a 2x4. I think the 3x3 would be perfect for seedlings and clones, although i do use a 2ft t5 style led for my seedlings. Not an hlg fanboy by any means, just an LED fanboy in general lol. Good luck
 
G

GreenGenes2021

Member
If it's just for seedlings and early stage clones I suggest a MF1000 by Maxsisun.
You can catch them on sale @ Amazon for as little as $65 - $75
 
Rurumo

Rurumo

Well-Known Member
If you aren't growing anything but seedlings and clones in it, you could also check out a t5 fixture. Nothing gets seedlings started off right like t5s. If you get an underpowered LED for that space, you're going to have spindly seedlings and clones, especially around the edges. Look into the bar lights, like the fc3000 or the Maxsisun one, is it the mg3000? Can't remember offhand. With those, you can pack a 3x3 full of seedlings or clones if you want and get good growth all the way around. If you get one of the smaller fixtures, it will be fine in a 2x2.
 
X

Xsan

Well-Known Member
my room design had to change a little so the seedlings and will be going in 2x4 tent. I think I want to stick with led to avoid the transition when they go under the big lights
 
B

BigGreenThumb

Active Member
Rurumo said:
If you aren't growing anything but seedlings and clones in it, you could also check out a t5 fixture. Nothing gets seedlings started off right like t5s. If you get an underpowered LED for that space, you're going to have spindly seedlings and clones, especially around the edges. Look into the bar lights, like the fc3000 or the Maxsisun one, is it the mg3000? Can't remember offhand. With those, you can pack a 3x3 full of seedlings or clones if you want and get good growth all the way around. If you get one of the smaller fixtures, it will be fine in a 2x2.
Click to expand...
clones need minimal lighting, no? So why wouldn’t an “underpowered” LED work? Could you not get seedlings closer to the light if they were getting spindly? I’m new to LED myself so correct me if I’m wrong…
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
It's hard to beat a T5 for starting seeds. You can keep them inches away to prevent spindly seedlings and you don't have to worry about too much light intensity. Having said that, I've just started playing with a Vivosun VS1000 "100 watts" and am happy with it so far. It has 4 settings, 25-50-75-100%. It uses Samsung 301H diodes 3000K and 5000K and has some red spectrum ones as well. They cost $129. Would probably work fine for seedlings and clones in a 3x3.

Some may frown at Vivosun but all my other equipment is Vivosun and it's been working flawlessly for almost 4 years. I'm still getting things dialed in. I've never grown with an LED and I'm using different nutrients than I normally do this run and just using GH MaxiBloom so I'm still doing a little tweaking with light settings, distance, and nutrient strength. I'm probably underfeeding but that's better than overfeeding. Overall things seem to be going good.



 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
GoatSoup said:
CHeck out the latest on the cheap lights on the Best Deals thread. I got a 150 watt light for $44 and delivery can be really fast if you have prime or pay $11. Or a $100 Bestva light. I'm using a Bestva 1000 for my grow now and it is impressive for a 100 watt light. much better spectrum than the cheapy.
Click to expand...
I've got one of the Bestva. Great little light. Not junk at all.
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
It's hard to beat a T5 for starting seeds. You can keep them inches away to prevent spindly seedlings and you don't have to worry about too much light intensity. Having said that, I've just started playing with a Vivosun VS1000 "100 watts" and am happy with it so far. It has 4 settings, 25-50-75-100%. It uses Samsung 301H diodes 3000K and 5000K and has some red spectrum ones as well. They cost $129. Would probably work fine for seedlings and clones in a 3x3.

Some may frown at Vivosun but all my other equipment is Vivosun and it's been working flawlessly for almost 4 years. I'm still getting things dialed in. I've never grown with an LED and I'm using different nutrients than I normally do this run and just using GH MaxiBloom so I'm still doing a little tweaking with light settings, distance, and nutrient strength. I'm probably underfeeding but that's better than overfeeding. Overall things seem to be going good.



Click to expand...
Totally agree with the T5 and there's no problem switching light types.
 
MyBallzItch

MyBallzItch

Well-Known Member
Rurumo said:
If you aren't growing anything but seedlings and clones in it, you could also check out a t5 fixture. Nothing gets seedlings started off right like t5s. If you get an underpowered LED for that space, you're going to have spindly seedlings and clones, especially around the edges. Look into the bar lights, like the fc3000 or the Maxsisun one, is it the mg3000? Can't remember offhand. With those, you can pack a 3x3 full of seedlings or clones if you want and get good growth all the way around. If you get one of the smaller fixtures, it will be fine in a 2x2.
Click to expand...
what is an example of an "underpowered LED for that space" that's caused spindly seedlings? Both of those lights are good for flowering in a 3x3 but if you were just doing seedlings and clones you would turn it way down and keep it close anyways.

@GrassBurner pointed out a 200w hlg for $200 which is just what op needs.
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
hotrodharley said:
Totally agree with the T5 and there's no problem switching light types.
Click to expand...
I'm learning right now. First foray into LEDs. I'm not seeing any issues yet. I did wait until I had a couple leafs under the T5's before switching though.

You just can't beat those HO T5's for getting plants started.

A T5 fixture should be part of any grower that starts from seeds arsenal.
 
MyBallzItch

MyBallzItch

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
You just can't beat those HO T5's for getting plants started.

A T5 fixture should be part of any grower that starts from seeds arsenal.
Click to expand...
Why? It's been 5 years since I've plugged in my t5. They do nothing extra or special for the seedlings. Just a rather inefficient light source
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top