Supplemental led for 315w lec flowering.

KushyMcKush

Well-Known Member
Hello! Ive been really interrested in leds since I began researching lights for my first grow. I finally decided to go with a Sun System 315w lec for my 3.5'x4.5' grow area. I had heard of diy cob led's that people were building, but I really wanted something that was ready to go, plug n play type deal, and maybe building a nice led pannel for my second run.
Well, Im one week from flipping to 12/12 and my plants are bushing out really nicely and starting to take up the entire floor space. I really was trying to keep them in a 3x3 footprint to maximize the use of the light. Im now considering buying a small led or two for supplemental lighting to hang on one or both sides of my 315. Then I got to thinking about diy cob's and thought I would come here for some advice.
I figure I could build one or two small, single led's to hang on either side for under $100 a piece. I really wanted to ask though, would it really be that much more beneficial to add one or two of these for flowering? If so, could you guys advise me on what spectrum would be most beneficial to be used with my lec? If so do you think just one would do, or one on each side? If I do decide to do this, can someone help me with supplies and assembly? I also have a 4' t5 fixture with 4 ho t5 bulbs I could possibly hang in there, but Id be worried about heat.
Heres a picture of my space. For my next run, I think I might do an entire diy pannel for at least veg... Maybe the whole grow, so I figured why not play around with a small one now? Ill be running Rare Dankness 501st OG in my next run. Ive seen these do fantastically under led's.
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KushyMcKush

Well-Known Member
spectrums pretty complete


i suppose you could add some 660 and 450 monos (at a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio)
Im not worried about the spectrum of my current light. I know its exceptional for both veg/flower growth. Im just worried about the footprint. Most are saying in flower it, at most, covers a 3x3 area. Some even say 2.5x2.5 is optimal... But the consensus seems to be 3x3 is ideal. Now, in my 3.5x4.5 closet, Im worried about the 4.5' width and and finding a supplemental light to fill that extra 1.5" space. I can just slide the light over 6-10" once a week or a few times a week, similar to what a light mover would do, but Id rather not have to do this. Id also imagine so good solid red colored led's to fill out the optimal flowerig spectrum would be ideal.
Just trying to get the most out of my space. I have no doubts the 315 alone will produce some solid buds/yields, but if I can imcrease my performance and quality substantially or even moderately by using supplemental diy led(s) that I can make relatively inexpensively... Thats something I will absolutley do.
 

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
sorry wen i read 'supplemental lighting for 315' to me that means you want to supplement the spectrum. maybe 'need full spectrum light option to fill out room' would make more sense.

just about anything would work. 3.5 x 3.5 is not a stretch for a 315 and it would still throw considerable light into the 'dark' area

if you need to add supplemental lighting to the 3.5 x 1 space on the side, you only need 100-120W max

2-bar t5 or put 4 t5 led replacements in that fixture
or CFLs
or 8 15W A19 LEDs in a powerstrip
or samsung strips
or 3 cobs at 1050 ma on a 120W driver

etc etc
 
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nevergoodenuf

Well-Known Member
I would say the are ready to flip now. If anything you could just add a light mover, then lower the light a bit. It would only need to move 12" to 16" max. Otherwise just leave it like it is for this run and see when it's finished. You have plenty of reflection in there.
 

KushyMcKush

Well-Known Member
sorry wen i read 'supplemental lighting for 315' to me that means you want to supplement the spectrum. maybe 'need full spectrum light option to fill out room' would make more sense.

just about anything would work. 3.5 x 3.5 is not a stretch for a 315 and it would still throw considerable light into the 'dark' area

if you need to add supplemental lighting to the 3.5 x 1 space on the side, you only need 100-120W max

2-bar t5 or put 4 t5 led replacements in that fixture
or CFLs
or 8 15W A19 LEDs in a powerstrip
or samsung strips
or 3 cobs at 1050 ma on a 120W driver

etc etc

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I guess I meant both. Supplementing by adding a more red spectrum for flowering AND adding additional light to fill out the space.

I would say the are ready to flip now. If anything you could just add a light mover, then lower the light a bit. It would only need to move 12" to 16" max. Otherwise just leave it like it is for this run and see when it's finished. You have plenty of reflection in there.
I thought about this. But the way I have my light hanging, I could also just slide it over about 12" or so in each direction once or twice a week which would do about the same a sa light mover... It just wouldn't be moving consistantly.
 

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
it would not do the same as a $100 light mover and your plants would suffer

FWIW i put 4 315s in a 5x5 tent and it was way too much light. im doing 4 in a 5x9 on movers next time
 
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