32” height restriction, will any LED work?

Hawg Wild

Hawg Wild

Well-Known Member
You'd be better off just getting some LED t8 strip lights off Amazon. They're available in 6000k, 5000k, 4000k, and 3000k for cheap from various manufacturers and, as long as you don't cram them in as tight as they'll go, they can almost touch the plants. I still don't know if that's going to be enough height without shallow pots, a lot of training, and really squat genetics, but it's doable.
 
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SteakBags

Well-Known Member
Hawg Wild said:
You'd be better off just getting some LED t8 strip lights off Amazon. They're available in 6000k, 5000k, 4000k, and 3000k for cheap from various manufacturers and, as long as you don't cram them in as tight as they'll go, they can almost touch the plants. I still don't know if that's going to be enough height without shallow pots, a lot of training, and really squat genetics, but it's doable.
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What about these lights makes you able to put them almost touching the plant?
 
Hawg Wild

Hawg Wild

Well-Known Member
SteakBags said:
What about these lights makes you able to put them almost touching the plant?
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They're just not particularly powerful and don't run that hot. They don't damage my microgreens even 2" away and the 2ft 3000k ones with reflectors that I use for side lighting won't light burn a leaf unless it's extremely close... like almost within the reflector close.
 
Hawg Wild

Hawg Wild

Well-Known Member
Personally, I much prefer having multiple lower-powered light sources casting light from all angles than one big, hot light in the middle that's too bright underneath and too dark all around.
 
Hawg Wild

Hawg Wild

Well-Known Member
SteakBags said:
I’m making a closet grow box, dimensions are 32” wide, 32” tall, 21” depth
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If it were me, I'd get one 2ft t5 HO fixture like a Sunblaster or similar and put an Eye Hortilux 24W FS+UV bulb in it and put right in the center with 2 each of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NXQR8BW/ref=twister_B07SC9K42J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 in 4000k and 5000k. The reason I say that is because it will give you a solid full spectrum without leaning too heavily toward the red end, which will lead to stretching that you don't have any room for. That would be 80 watts of light and you might stick one of these https://www.amazon.com/SANSI-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse-Succulent/dp/B01NCVWFUE/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=24w+grow+light+e26&qid=1589549056&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4 at each end to provide light over the whole space for 110 total watts. Just an idea. Or you could always go with fluorescents all the way.
 
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SteakBags

Well-Known Member
Hawg Wild said:
If it were me, I'd get one 2ft t5 HO fixture like a Sunblaster or similar and put an Eye Hortilux 24W FS+UV bulb in it and put right in the center with 2 each of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NXQR8BW/ref=twister_B07SC9K42J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 in 4000k and 5000k. The reason I say that is because it will give you a solid full spectrum without leaning too heavily toward the red end, which will lead to stretching that you don't have any room for. That would be 80 watts of light and you might stick one of these https://www.amazon.com/SANSI-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse-Succulent/dp/B01NCVWFUE/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=24w+grow+light+e26&qid=1589549056&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4 at each end to provide light over the whole space for 110 total watts. Just an idea. Or you could always go with fluorescents all the way.
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Thank you for the input!!!
 
Hawg Wild

Hawg Wild

Well-Known Member
SteakBags said:
Thank you for the input!!!
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Also, even though the description on Amazon for the little 15W UFO says 12", that's a pipe dream. It can be 3 or 4 inches away and you'll be fine. I have a 35W one that I put over plants that are especially short so they don't get shaded out too much and it barely needs 12" with a much more powerful center light accompanying it.
 
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Snafu34

Active Member
I too run a very small grow - 22" dia. and 28" total height. I used a 150 W CMH for years and just recently bought a HLG 288 V2 board. I didn't do enough home work and have found it is total overkill for my space. I replaced the CMH five days ago with the HLG turned down to 55 watts. At 10" from LEDs to tops I am getting about 52K with a cell phone lux meter. Just about zero heat ( sink and ballast in cab) and if fact I wish I had more. The plant is in week 4 of flowering and seem to love the new setup- For comparison- Using the lux meter- The HLG turned down to 37w produces the sames lux measurement in various heights as does the CMH. If I were to crank up the HLG to it potential I am sure the lux would be out of site and fry everything. I may have to return to the CMH during the winter months. My 2 cents.
 
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SteakBags

Well-Known Member
Snafu34 said:
I too run a very small grow - 22" dia. and 28" total height. I used a 150 W CMH for years and just recently bought a HLG 288 V2 board. I didn't do enough home work and have found it is total overkill for my space. I replaced the CMH five days ago with the HLG turned down to 55 watts. At 10" from LEDs to tops I am getting about 52K with a cell phone lux meter. Just about zero heat ( sink and ballast in cab) and if fact I wish I had more. The plant is in week 4 of flowering and seem to love the new setup- For comparison- Using the lux meter- The HLG turned down to 37w
produces the sames lux measurement in various heights as does the CMH. If I were to crank up the HLG to it potential I am sure the lux would be out of site and fry everything. I may have to return to the CMH during the winter months. My 2 cents.
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Thanks for the input! So is that a DIY build or does that board plug right in? I haven’t looked into DIYs yet
 
kmog33

kmog33

Well-Known Member
Hawg Wild said:
If it were me, I'd get one 2ft t5 HO fixture like a Sunblaster or similar and put an Eye Hortilux 24W FS+UV bulb in it and put right in the center with 2 each of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NXQR8BW/ref=twister_B07SC9K42J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 in 4000k and 5000k. The reason I say that is because it will give you a solid full spectrum without leaning too heavily toward the red end, which will lead to stretching that you don't have any room for. That would be 80 watts of light and you might stick one of these https://www.amazon.com/SANSI-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse-Succulent/dp/B01NCVWFUE/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=24w+grow+light+e26&qid=1589549056&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4 at each end to provide light over the whole space for 110 total watts. Just an idea. Or you could always go with fluorescents all the way.
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You’re better off leaning heavy red in almost all
Circumstances. You need maybe 10-20% blue in your spectrum. Uv is more important.
 
Hawg Wild

Hawg Wild

Well-Known Member
kmog33 said:
You’re better off leaning heavy red in almost all
Circumstances. You need maybe 10-20% blue in your spectrum. Uv is more important.
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Not with a 32" ceiling. More red = more stretch. Flowers will grow just fine under 4000k or even 5000k.
 
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SteakBags

Well-Known Member
Hawg Wild said:
Not with a 32" ceiling. More red = more stretch. Flowers will grow just fine under 4000k or even 5000k.
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Im using 6500k with the CFLs ..might throw in the 2 13w 5000k for additional color. Why do you use 3-4k for veg with the LEDs instead of the 6500k?
 
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