ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 480W Dimmable LED Grow Light VS Mars Hydro FC 4800 480W LED Grow Light
Indoor grow lights have allowed homeowners to grow different crops without utilizing any natural light. However, each plant requires different amounts of light, which means the best grow light may vary from crop to crop — this refers to both the light levels and hours per day.
Some plants are much more light-hungry than others. When looking at light intensities that different plants require, it is measured in Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD). PPFD is the amount of light that reaches the plant canopy that is useful for growth; therefore, it does not include light spillage or photons that are not within the effective range. You can read our article Measuring the Light Output of LED Grow Lights, which elaborates on how light is measured by plant growth and grow lights.
Plants need both light and darkness in their growth cycle. Light helps photosynthesis, and without it helps respiration. Both are necessary processes to maximize growth. However, different plants require different amounts of time in light and darkness.
LED Grow Lights For Indoor Plants Explained
If you are a beginner then it’s okay to wonder why you need a LED light for your indoor plants. To help you choose the best-LED light, you need to first understand what plant grow lights are and why they indoor plants need them. Indoor LED grows lights are artificial lights that can help stimulate plants growth.
A plant often doesn’t get enough direct light and it might struggle with blooming hence why LED lights are used.
LED grow lights comes in really handy for any indoor plant that needs direct light. Grow light is not just for stimulating plant growth but it enables you to start seedling indoors however you do need to know certain equipment with it such as a built-in timer which allows the plant to have control over the type of light it chooses.
The LED grow light can be really right so you need to make sure there is a timer to give it shade when it needs it.
One of the major benefits of LED grow light is that it can easily adapt to limited space and still help your plant thrive. LED grow light also reduces the need for chemical and pesticides treatments for your plant as they are less prone to pests with this grow light.
ECO Farm ECOD Samsung UV+ IR 480W Dimmable LED Grow Light
Features:
The ECO Farm full spectrum LED grow light was designed to help enhance photosynthesis so you can enjoy stronger and healthier crops! This linear horticulture lighting fixture produces a broad-spectrum lighting output made for Vertical Farming and indoor use. This premium LED growth light is an energy-efficient system that helps you to make important savings. This full spectrum LED grow lights come with 876pcs leds. Excellent spectrum mimics the sun spectrum, optimizing the whole stages of indoor growing plants from seed to flowering, to maximize the yields and ensure crop quality. It has a 2.8 umol/J efficiency level so you can make sure that this grow light system is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for your garden. The aluminum housing material is durable and reliable. This top growing light for plants uses broad spectrum LEDs that can enhance nutrient absorption. It has an IP65 waterproof design that is perfect for indoor use or greenhouses. At 480W, 1009.8 µmols light output is higher than HPS lights, while using less energy.
Mars Hydro FC 4800 480W LED Grow Light
Features:
MARS HYDRO LED Grow Light features 2016 Samsung LM301B and Osram 660nm diodes with an incredible efficiency of 2.85 µmol/J Maximum yield of 2.5g per watt, 30% higher average PPFD, higher yield and quality compared to older lights 50%! High yielding full cycle growth of 3x3 feet using only 480W of perfect light. It’s perfect for commercial LED grow lights, the FC4800 dimmable grow light with daisy chain allows you to connect up to 30 Mars grow lights to your commercial grow, horizontal and vertical farming, greenhouse grow, pipe grow, Hydroponics. Great for Mars Hydro 4x4grow tents that grow throughout the cycle. This LED grow light has a high intensity spectrum with enhanced red color (3200–4200K, 4800–5000k, 650–665nm), perfect for vegetable blooms, adapting to every stage of the plant cycle. The dimmer knob is ideal for growers to adjust light intensity for different growth stages.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you know which grow lights rank high, the next step is to look for one that fits your needs. Here’s what to look for when buying a grow light.
Design Efficiency
The small and flexible design of LED grow lights saves space and allows you to move them around easily. Some lights are linked together, so you can connect them without cords. If you keep your plants in a small space, it’s best to go for the ones that clip onto the table. If you have ample indoor gardening space, then mounted lights are your best bet.
Light Intensity
Light intensity refers to the number of photons emitted to the plants rather than how intense it appears to the eye. This should be a primary concern when purchasing a grow light. Each plant stage requires a different intensity.
Too much light can burn the plants and too little light can cause them to lose their color. To ensure the plants get the optimum intensity, use the manufacturer’s recommended footprint and PAR chart.
Coverage Area
Knowing the exact dimensions of your indoor gardening space can help you select the right fixture that covers the entire area. Most hobbyists prefer 2’x 2’, 3’x 3’, and 4’x 4’ spaces, and the majority of powerful grow lights cover a 4’x 4’ area for flowers.
The big ones can even cover up to 25 square feet! However, if you go beyond this coverage area, the intensity will diminish around the edges and corners. Therefore, if you have a large indoor garden, it is better to use multiple small lights to allow consistent intensity for all plants.
Cost
Price is usually the most important factor for people. Generally, grow lights are an expensive investment and can range from anywhere between $100 to over $2,000 depending on the light output, fixture size, and quality of parts. So, consider the other three factors and then pick the best one available within your budget.
For gardeners who don’t shy away from expensive lights and want the best quality for the highest yield, their main priority is finding the light with the best performance.
Warranty
Ninety-nine percent of the time, grow lights function smoothly without any issues, but sometimes LEDs fail, and other times a fan could break. Therefore, make sure that the one you are purchasing has a warranty from the manufacturer, so you can get it fixed or replaced right away.
Conclusion
LED grow lights can definitely be used to grow your plants indoors and it gives you a chance to keep planting in winter. There are different types of LED light and keep in mind that some are better than others. Your indoor plants do need as much sunlight as the outdoor plants so you need to choose your LED to grow light carefully.
The type of LED grow to light your choose will also determine the quality and amount of growth your plants will experience.
