7 Great Tips for Selecting the Best Grow Lights
Plants need light to trigger photosynthesis which turns energy into the sugars plants need to grow, but different species can vary widely in how much light they need to thrive. Low-light houseplants rarely need supplemental lighting unless you're trying to get them to flower. But seedlings and produce grown indoors demand lots of bright light to grow and fruit. Depending on what you're growing, make sure you choose the best lights for your home and your plants.
Consider What You`Re Going To Grow
The first thing to do when choosing LED grow lights is to consider the crop you`ll be using them on. All products available on the market work for getting the plant to the flowering stage but certain ones are better suited for certain crops. The AdvancedLED diamond series is suitable for almost any crop and specifically good for growing medicinal plants on a full cycle. The specific models include the Diamond Series XML, the Diamond Series XTE and the Diamond Series EX-VEG. The specific wattage you should choose depends on how many plants you want to grow and the grow space itself.
Choose the type of light you need
There are several types of Led grow lights that emit different kinds of light for different stages of the growth process. The blue light, or the cool light, is good for the plants as it encourages bushy growth, while the red light is located at the opposite end of the light spectrum and is great for the blooming stage because it releases a hormone response that creates blooms. The reddish or orange light created by some Led grow lights usually produce heat, but some lights can also create a full spectrum of light without emitting any heat.
Taking Into Account The Size Of The Grow Space
In LED lighting bigger wattage doesn`t automatically translate into a bigger area coverage, as it is with regular HID, MH and HPS lights, but it can still serve as a good rough estimate. However, the most accurate metrics are the so called Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) and the Daily Light Integral (DLI) that serve to determine the number of lights to the power of lights ratio, but for simplicity and coherence we`ll use wattage as the metric to determine the light coverage area.
Plants and especially medicinal plants need most lighting during the flowering stage, so we`ll be using that as an estimate of how much area needs to be covered. A standard LED grow light must use more than 32 watts per square foot of grow space, but for optimum results it should be over 50 watts, up to 80 watts.
Aim to Reduce Excess Heat Production
Too much heat can easily ruin a great grow. Not to mention it destroys the longevity of your equipment and increases your production costs in the process. How much heat a grow light produces may seem like a minor issue. But in reality, it’s vital. Excess heat greatly reduces the lifespan of your grow lights. Over time, this will skyrocket your operating costs. High quality LED grow lights include internal ventilation systems to minimize overheating. Unlike HIDs, full spectrum LED lights also produce substantially less heat, saving you from unnecessary ventilation expenses.
Consider the PAR
Photosynthetically Active Radiation or PAR is the light that is beneficial to the plants. It is the alternative to sunlight that plants use so they can photosynthesize. LED grow lights can have different PAR values depending on the manufacturer. With that said, a higher PAR value does not necessarily mean the bulb is better.
The PAR should be evenly distributed among the plants, which is the reason why you need to know the surface area of your garden because those that are directly under the light will receive more PAR while those further away won’t. The best LED grow lights you should consider are those that can evenly distribute PAR.
The Output
This is also important; you want to read product descriptions for total output. How many units does the lamp claim to have? This can be 300W, 400, 600 or even 1000. Always check for the output and look for at least 300W.
Calculate Your Lifetime Performance Costs
Our number one tip for selecting the best medicinal plants grow lights? Always consider your lifetime performance costs before purchasing cultivation equipment. While HIDs are usually cheaper than LEDs, they end up being more expensive in the long run. HIDs drive up your energy costs and are more likely to require repairs. They also usually require additional ventilation because they produce so much heat. Simply put, you’re better off investing in quality medicinal plants grow lights. However, this doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune. Full-spectrum LED light technology has advanced dramatically. Finding affordable and top of the line grow lights is now possible. Luckily, we’ve made finding the best light for your buck even easier.
ThinkGrow Model-H 630W Horticulture LED Grow Light
The Model-H is a high performance LED grow light for the horticulture cultivation. It is designed specifically for high PPFD cultivation practices in vertical farming. Full spectrum design with spectral tuning capabilities cover each critical phase of growth from vegetative to flowering.
ThinkGrow is brought to you by the same company making TrolMaster controls -- currently one of the most sophisticated digital environmental controls on the market. ThinkGrow LED lights are also fully compatible with TrolMaster controllers with up to 256 lights being able to be controlled per digital channel.
- Outstanding Efficiency at 2.7 μmol/J
- Plug and Play for a quick installation
- On-board Dimming for more convenience
- Adjustable Spectrum from Veg to Bloom
- External Controllability with 256 fixtures per channel
- Group Control Capability
Fluence SPYDRx PLUS LED Grow Light
SPYDRx PLUS is designed for close-proximity, controlled environment agriculture, and multi-tier vertical farming environments. An average — not max — PPFD above 1,020 makes SPYDRx PLUS the perfect choice for high-DLI crops from veg to bloom when paired with a 0-10V dimmer or adjusted mounting height for desired PPFD.
Current lead time is projected to be 30 days from the time payment is received. For orders over 100 units, please contact us at 512-212-4544.
Recommended mounting height 6” from top of canopy for optimal light uniformity, penetration and flux density above a 4’x4’ canopy.
Suitable for operation in still air ambient temperatures from -40°C (-40°F) to 35°C (95°F) when suspended and up to 30°C (86°F) when surface mounted. Operating temperature ranges between 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F) above ambient.
We recommend at least one ft3/S of airflow to ensure efficient cooling. Proper air flow will also increase the maximum suitable operating temperature and help extend lifetime of system.
Dimensions: 42L x 44W x 4.6H in
Weight: 32 lbs
ECO Farm GLT 500 Dimmable Samsung LM301B Grow Light
- Using highest Samsung output LEDs, Efficacy is up to 2.6umol/J.
- 1524 high PPFD in 12 inches.
- Full spectrum with enhanced red for full cycle grows.
- The beam angle of light bars are adjustable easy to install.
- Extra 50Watt bar can be added in the middle of the fixture to provide more Far red UV light.
- Supporting RJ port daisy chain and 0-10V dimming knob.
- ETL&cETL, DLC, CE, ROHS certified product.
Kind LED X² Commercial LED Grow Light
INCREASED HARVEST WEIGHT
With a recommended hanging height of only 6-12” this fixture allows for close proximity to the canopy, capitalizing on valuable tiered growing space while maintaining massive coverage.
OPTIMIZED HARVEST QUALITY
A customizable spectrum allows you to match the needs of any plant, at any stage of growth. You only need one fixture to get the job done, Seed to Harvest.
MINIMIZED WASTE
It's unique configuration offers the most even PPFD across the entire footprint. Never sacrifice an inch of potential growth across your canopy or deal with troublesome hot spots putting your harvest at risk.
MAXIMIZED VERSATILITY
Ideal for large scale overhead or vertically racked grow systems, it also offers multiple hanging options to fit the needs of any commercial or large scale grow operation.
PERFECT FOR ANY ENVIRONMENT
Ideal IP65 Rating for commercial applications.
REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN
The concentric square design eliminates common shortcomings of popular LED fixtures, offering an extremely even PPFD across the canopy, ensuring maximum production and overall plant health.
OVER-ENGINEERED
From over-engineered heat sinks and electronic components to a commercial grade aluminum body the bulletproof construction will be the only part of your grow you won't have to worry about.
TUNEABLE SPECTRUM
With a 3-channel fully customizable spectrum, this fixture is capable of providing the perfect spectral output at every stage of growth, meaning a faster, healthier plant with significantly less wasted energy with a compatible controller.
SLIM PROFILE
At only 4.3" this will take up minimal space and maximize your potential profits.
OSRAM SSL DIODES
Industry-leading, commercial-grade diodes with 75,000+ hr lifespan that is capable of withstanding the harshest conditions helps to ensure you can grow with complete confidence that you are providing your plants the best the industry has to offer.
