January 08, 2022
Grow tents are now popular for indoor growing today. However, I realized that getting the best results with a grow tent depends on using the appropriate accessories. One of such accessories is an inline fan.
So, I researched the best inline fans for grow tents and found some amazing options. In this article, I’ll share them with you, alongside some other information that you might need.
When finding the quietest inline fan, you may get confused. There are hundreds of options out there with thousands of reviews, be it good or bad. While buying an inline fan, you must keep in mind to check how much power it is providing.
Good airflow with a variable speed control system is essential for your plants to sustain both winters and summers. An inline fan will lessen your burden. Find a fan that perfectly fits in your grow tent, as placement of the tent is essential. Obviously, you would want your fan to be reliable and durable. So, look for a more extended warranty period.
At last, quietness matters the most. Since plants take a long time to grow, you would desire the inline fan with the least noise level. I’ve finalized a few top picks for the quietest inline fans for you.
ECO Farm 8 Inch In-line Fan Exhaust and Intake Fan for Grow Room
Features:
For the combination of power and quiet, ECO Farm inline fan is the perfect choice. Even at the highest power setting, it is very quiet. Due to the use of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled DC motor, its quiet noise level is only 37dBA. This motor uses less power than standard AC motors. In addition to a quiet motor, this fan also has an adjustable speed setting. The airflow is 390 CFM, which is very suitable for medium-sized planting rooms. In order to install the fan, the machine and wood mounting screws are included to assist in the installation.
SunStream Inline Duct Fan Vent Blower
Features:
The construction of this fan is quite sturdy and durable. This fan is easy to mount and install because of its high-quality manufacturing. It is designed with the durable ceramic-coated and permanently lubricated bearing that requires Zero maintenance. It gives you a higher output than any other fan. For the price point, it is quieter and more powerful than the others. What else do you need? The speed controller is added to maintain the speed of the fan inside the tent. This inline fan will be worthy of your investment. It is suitable for industrial, household and horticulture ventilation applications for air clean and temperature control.
HURRICANE Inline Duct Fan for Grow Room
Features:
The Hurricane Inline fan is undoubtedly the best inline fan for large grow tents and rooms. For an inline fan that has a CFM rating of about 1060, it’s definitely more than enough for most of the large-sized grow tents on the market. Its build quality is appreciable, no doubt, as it is made with a combination of high-quality materials. The fan is made from steel and dons a finish that looks like a powder-coated finish. This fan is available in different sizes ranging from 4-inches all the way to 12-inches. Similarly, the CFM rating of the respective fans increases from 171 all the way to 1060. This Hurricane inline fan lacks controls of its own — you can’t control the speed and the climate.
While the factors are more concerned with the fan’s general use, now we will tell you the specific features to consider in your inline fan before getting it. Trust us; this will ensure that you can choose the best option. So, here they are.
CFM of Your Fan
This is perhaps the most important thing to consider when getting yourself an inline fan. The CFM refers to the cubic Feet per Minute that your fan can handle. This is important because it plays a vital role in the overall efficiency of your fan.
CFM concerns the air that your fan can exchange out of an area within a minute. Usually, the grow tent is usually measured by cubic feet. So, this measurement involves your fan’s capacity to exchange air within that grow room within a minute.
Usually, this is calculated by getting the cubic feet of space of the grow room. For instance, where the room has a specification of 8’ x 4’ x 12’, that’s a room measuring 384 cubic feet. You might then be thinking that all you need is a fan with a specification of 384 CFM.
However, that is not the case. To get the appropriate CFM specification, you’ll need to multiply the cubic feet of space by a minimum value of 1.33. This ensures that you can account for the drop in airflow thanks to filters in the ventilation system.
So, if you are still wondering how to calculate the required CFM, we just told you all you need to know. Multiply the cubic feet value of the room by a minimum value of 1.33. Then, you can go on to get yourself a fan that matches that value.
For instance, in the example above, 384 x 1.33 will equal ~510. In turn, when getting an inline fan, you will need one with a CFM of 510 to get the best result in your grow tent.
However, it would be best to keep in mind that other factors will determine the CFM rating you need for your room. This is because they directly affect the airflow within the room. Now, here are those things.
1. The Grow Lights
The grow light in use plays a significant part in what your ventilation needs will look like. For instance, HID lights produce more heat than other options like CFLs and LEDs. Precisely, your room will tend to be hotter if you’re using HID lights. In turn, you will need more ventilation compared to if you had been using LED light.
So, is your grow room fitted with HID lights? Then, it would be best if you made an allowance to get the right CFM requirement. In turn, boost your calculation by 5% for each light within your grow tent. Also, where your HID light isn’t air-cooled, you will need to boost your calculation by around 10 to 20%.
2. CO2 or Carbon Filters
Another thing that affects your airflow and impacts your CFM calculation is the use of filters. This is because they reduce the intake of air. In turn, you will need to boost the calculation by a minimum of 20% to get the appropriate CFM for your grow tent.
3. Room’s Average Temperature
As you saw under the grow light discussion, the temperature of a room affects a room’s ventilation needs. The higher the temperature, the more ventilation the room will need. So, in cases where you are in an area with an increased average temperature, you will need to boost the CFM calculation.
In turn, boost the calculation by a minimum of 25% where the temperature is higher. However, where there’s a combination of high humidity and high temperature, you will need to boost the calculation by around 40%. This way, your inline fan can function appropriately.
Diameter of Your Inline Fan
Inline duct fans come with a specific diameter. While you might be wondering what’s your concern with this, remember we are talking about air. So, you need to assess the diameter of whatever option you’ll be getting.
First, you must understand that with a wider diameter. The relative humidity of your grow room decreases faster in comparison to the smaller ones. As such, you usually want to go for an option with a smaller diameter.
However, that’s not all you need to do as things get complicated. This is because fans with smaller diameter come with lower CFM. As you have seen above, a low CFM rating won’t do the trick for your grow room in some cases.
So, here’s what you want to do. You want to consider the CFM requirement of your grow tent. We already discussed how to calculate it above. So, get right to it.
Once you do this, get an inline fan that meets your CFM requirement and choose the one with the smallest diameter. This way, you get the best of both worlds.
Length of the Ducting
Another feature that you want to consider is the length of your fan’s ducting. You should know that this feature is an important consideration as it influences the power of the fans.
Precisely, the ducting’s length directly affects the exhaust power of your inline fan. So, you want to go for a long ducting. This way, you enjoy a more effective option.
Also, keep in mind that turns and twist in the ventilation setup also affect your grow room’s required CFM. Precisely, it increases the needed CFM. So, be sure to consider this when getting an inline fan.
As you can see, inline fans along with carbon filters and dehumidifiers play an integral role in maintaining the ideal environment in your grow room.
Buying the quietest inline fan will allow you peace of mind while ensuring that your plants stay happy with fresh, cool air.
If it weren’t for the inline fan, you’d spend a fortune on air conditioning costs, thus rendering plants growing completely inefficient.
The inline fan’s job is a difficult one. It pulls air from one source and pushes it out to another. In between, it needs to efficiently push air through the carbon filter, ducting, and lighting.
This is why you can’t overlook your inline fan choices. Inline fans can make or break your plants crop, so it’s critical that you understand your grow room set-up.
December 31, 2021
Whether growing one plant or a roomful — nothing is more exciting than harvest day.
Regardless of how amazing your plants crop is, everything depends on the next step: trimming. From overall bag appeal to flavor and everything in between — trimming is the deciding factor between mediocre and top-shelf plants.
Although it may feel daunting at first, we’re here to guide you every step of the way to ensure the best trim job possible by using the best trimmer. As you read below, you’ll discover everything you need to know about trimming plants.
First, let’s talk about why we trim or manicure our plants flowers.
Trimming is the act of removing excess leaf matter from the plants flower. Flowers and leaves on plants are two separate things.
Plants exhibit two leaf types:
Fan leaves (primary leaves)
Sugar leaves (secondary leaves)
Plants cultivators discard the large fan leaves. However, the “sugar leaves” are trimmed and saved because they exhibit trichome coverage due to their proximity to the buds. In either case, the overarching goal is to remove as much leaf matter as possible.
Remember, you want to smoke plants buds — not leaves!
Therefore, you must learn how to manicure the plants flowers to perfection by using specially crafted trimming scissors or trimming machines.
Features:
The Ez Trimmer removes unwanted leaves from your flower and is the only solution that can deliver trim quality which surpasses manual methods. The key to the Ez Trimmer’s superiority is that it allows the user to adjust multiple variables in the way you trim in order to adjust for wet and dry product, as well as different strains, sizes, and growing methods. The EZ Trim Machine comes with both a dry trimming grate as well as a wet trimming grate, giving you the ultimate control of how to process your flower. The Ez Trimmer is not only quiet and lightweight, but also features the following unique adjustable controls: Flower Movement through Airflow and Suction.
Features:
To respond to the needs of larger producers, the TRIMPRO trimmer has a capacity and productivity ratio 5 times greater than its baby brother, the Trimpro Automatik. The TrimPro XL trimmer’s fluted design of the grate facilitates the plants movement. When combined with the dimmer on the motor regulating the whirlwind velocity plus the height adjustable six (6) blade assembly, the operator is always in full and precise control of the XL and the finished product.
If you ask people from the plants community, they are probably in unison saying that it is necessary to trim the buds. It does not matter how you do it. The important thing is that they are trimmed.
Enhanced THC: Your buds have sugar leaves. The latter are low in THC and can negatively affect the overall quality of the plants. With trimmed buds, there will be better THC gram-on-gram, improving the quality of the plants.
Smoother Experience: When your plant has leaves, it will be harsher when it is smoked. This can make you feel uncomfortable as it will irritate the throat. According to High Times, leaves contain chlorophyll. When they are not removed, it can be harsh.
Improved Appearance: Aesthetics is another reason why you need to trim the buds. If you look at photos of plants online, they seem perfect, too good to be true. You can achieve the same look if you use a bud trimmer. This is going to make plants more attractive!
Any plants grower would agree with me when I say that trimming plants is an art and a science. You need to do it with care for the best outcomes. With this, one of the things that need to be decided upon would be your choice of trimming.
Wet Trimming: This is the more common method and also the one that is easier. When plant is trimmed while it is wet, it can result in a more manicured look. The buds will look prettier, which is exactly why this is what most people prefer.
Dry Trimming: Under this method, the plant is allowed to dry first. The larger fan leaves also have to be manually removed. This does not only take more time, but also more effort on your end.
What are the Types of Bud Trimmers?
Before we discuss the best examples of bud trimmer machines, they can be categorized into two:
Manual Trimmers: These are the ones that are operated by hand, which means that it will require quite an effort. They are usually the cheaper option. Most of the products mentioned below fall under this category.
Automatic Trimmers: It comes with an electronic motor that automates the process of trimming. This is less time-consuming and easier to operate, which is perfect if you are trimming a large batch of plants.
The Right Way to Trim Buds
More than having the right trimmer, here are other important tips that you have to keep in mind:
When you trim, remove everything not covered by trichomes. This include foliage and red pistils. They do not have any content that will affect the overall quality of the plants.
After trimming, make sure that the plants is stored in an airtight container. Store it away from heat. Keep it in a cool and dry place.
Always clean your trimming equipment after use, which will help prolong its functional life.
Wear gloves. Resin in plants can be difficult to get off your hands after if you do not have gloves.
Machine trimming can be a great option for a number of reasons. Perhaps you have a couple grow tents and can’t handle all the trimming yourself, or you’re scaling up production in a big grow to accommodate larger harvests. No matter the reason, there’s lots of different options that are available to you, and you’ll have to decide which product is most suited for your needs. I hope this article can help you to choose the satisfying bud trimmer.
December 23, 2021
The best bud trimming machine is an essential, useful tool that allows plant producers to do their task of trimming bud without having to worry about making a mess or getting trouble with sticky resin; reduce a lot of effort and the timer it takes to gather trimmed pieces, and swiftly and easily eliminates primary fan unsightly leaves from your buds. All of these benefits are contained in just a trimming machine.
Are you fed up with the tedious task of manual bud trimming? We’ve compiled a list of the best bud trimming machines that range from personal use to larger-scale commercial production.
In plant cultivation, the trimmer is the person or tool that trims the plants to maximize the THC-producing parts of the plants. The trimming is done right before and during the drying stage of the plants.
Although most trimming is done by hand with a pair of scissors, there are commercial trimmers available for larger-scale growers.
When plants are ready to be harvested, which is usually after white hairs on the buds begin to turn red, they first get trimmed in order to remove extra branches from the plant. The whole plant is then hung upside down in order to cure in a cool, dark space for about a week.
When the plant begins to dry, whatever leaves remain will wrap themselves around the bud. The trimmer’s job is to cut these leaves away with a small pair of scissors. The idea is to expose the flowering top that is covered in the buds and crystals, which are the desirable parts of the plant.
Different varieties of plants are trimmed in different ways, depending on the structure of the plant. Some strains, like Afgooey, is leafy, but the leaves are heavily covered in crystals, so extra care must be used when trimming.
If the intended market for plant is seeking the plants for medicinal purposes, the trimming needs to be adapted in order to keep some of the larger leaves. If the plant strain is intended for recreational use, the trimmer aims to expose as many buds as possible.
ECO Farm 3 Speed 18 Inch Automatic Bud Leaf Trimmer Machine
Features:
The ECO Farm trimmer is equipped with a maintenance-free motor and sharp stainless steel (3) blades. This flower bud trimmer can automatically output after completion; it is equipped with a clean and environmentally friendly handbag; it does not leave garbage. Prune excess leaves and stems quickly, effectively and preciously. Easy to fold design, easy to transport or store. High-speed blades and fan trimmers rotate, raise hair and finally discharge the trimmed plants. The emptying port can be opened when the machine is running to realize non-stop production.
DL Wholesale 18" Stand Up Leaf Trimmer
Features:
The DL Wholesale 18" Stand Up Trimmer is a great way to increase your harvest efficiency and save you from the frustrating, painfully slow process of trimming by hand. This motorized trimming machine is incredibly cost-effective, much cheaper than any other machine trimmer. An extra sharp blade makes clean cuts, preserving your flower and preventing damage. Built-in fan blows trim down into the collection bag, separating from flower and preserving for extraction. Two different speeds to meet whatever type of trimming needs you have.
Features:
Pro-Cut P2X is an easy to use trimmer that provides you with the benefit of trimming through all of your plants that need trimming. The Pro-Cut P2X leaf trimming machine can trim yields in minutes. With this leaf trimmer separating excess leaves and twigs from a mess of plants and flowers becomes easy. So you don’t have to worry about sorting things here. Alongside, the Pro-Cut P2X garden machine can also trim plants and small bushes like oregano, basil, rosemary, mint, lavender, coriander and parsley. Once the leaves are trimmed, you can then use it for multiple purposes. And the best part: it works quietly which means no more headaches!
As straightforward as this might seem, there are two trimming methods used by plant growers, wet trimming, and dry trimming. Both methods, wet or dry trim, have their pros and cons. At this point, plant experts can’t seem to agree on wet trim vs dry trim, and which is better.
BENEFITS OF WET TRIMMING
In general, plant industry experts find that wet trimming is the more efficient trimming method. Here are some of the pros of trimming wet.
Wet trimming is easier. It is easier to remove the fan and sugar leaves while they are wet. When those leaves are left to dry, they shrivel up.
Easier trimming means it takes less time to trim.
plant buds dry faster without all the leaves attached, as the leaves retain moisture.
Because of the faster drying, there is less chance for mold to form between the stalk and the flower. This is more of a concern in humid climates. Remember that mold ruins the harvest and makes it unviable.
Wet trimming takes up less space, as you remove all the foliage off the buds before drying instead of hanging up the entire plants to dry.
Wet trimming allows the buds to puff up, making them more visibly attractive. For growers selling flower, this is important, as consumers often buy based on how the buds look.
Some growers have pointed out that wet trimming allows the trichomes to stay intact thanks to the stickiness of the plant. This can preserve the terpenes (flavor) of the final product.
DISADVANTAGES OF WET TRIMMING
Trimming wet also has some notable downsides. It’s best to take them into consideration before deciding between wet trim vs dry trim.
Wet trimming can reduce the quality of the product. The sugar and fan leaves protect the buds while they dry and can help to create an ideal moisture level. When they are removed before drying, it can cause the buds to dry up more quickly than they should and negatively impact quality.
Shorter drying time means retention of chlorophyll. More chlorophyll adds a harsh flavor to plant, making it less smooth for smoking.
The work of trimming must be done immediately after harvest, all at once. This can be stressful due to all the time and energy it takes in a short period of time.
Wet trimming is messy. The plants are still sticky, so they get stuck to everything: your fingers, your trimming shears, your clothes, etc. Sticky trimming shears have to be cleaned up often during the process. Using gloves is usually necessary. Coconut oil or rubbing alcohol can help with the clean-up.
BENEFITS OF DRY TRIMMING
The dry trimming process also has a lot of advantages, which is why there isn’t an easy answer to the dry trim vs wet trim debate. While it is generally thought to be less efficient than wet trimming, many view it to be more effective. Here are the benefits of dry trimming.
Dry trimming allows plant growers more control over the drying speed, as the exterior foliage retains moisture. This ensures the buds won’t dry too quickly.
Dry trimming typically means better quality plant in the end, as retaining the moisture while drying allows the buds to dry at the correct speed. This can preserve potency and terpenes.
Dry-trimmed plant provides a smoother, more pleasant smoke. The longer the buds take to dry, the more chlorophyll they lose, and less chlorophyll means better flavor.
You can take your time when you go the route of dry trimming, making for a less stressful trimming experience.
It is less messy to dry trim, as the buds are less sticky. This reduces the level to which the buds attach to everything they touch.
DISADVANTAGES OF DRY TRIMMING
Dry trimming comes with some cons that are worth considering as well.
It is noticeably more difficult to trim dry plants. This is because the dry sugar and fan leaves curl up and attach to the bud. Thus, they become more difficult to cut off. This is especially true of the sugar leaves, which may end up nearly impossible to remove.
More difficulty means dry trimming is a more time-consuming process. It takes many additional hours to get through the same amount of trimming when going the dry-trim route.
Dry trimming comes with a higher risk of mold, particularly in humid climates. In some cases, dry trimming may not be possible if the climate is too humid.
You need a lot of space to dry trim, as you hang large chunks of the plant, leaves included, to dry before you trim. Some growers do not have room for this.
As with most things in the commercial plant industry, the decision on which trimming style works best for you comes down to preference. For example, you can use high-output, wet-dry mechanical trimmers for freshly harvested plant. And you can hand-trim plant that has already been dried. With so many hybrid methods of trimming plant available, there are solutions available for every cultivation business model.
Regardless of how you roll, we have the tools and supplies you need to trim plants, wet or dry. And don’t forget, there are a lot of additional supplies that come in handy. Face masks to reduce contamination, eye protection from UV lights, gloves — and if you don’t see what you need, reach out to our team of experts. We’ll help you source everything needed to start or upgrade your trimming capabilities.
December 21, 2021
A few years ago, growers usually only used fluorescent tube lighting as a supplemental light for plants, or for young seedlings and clones only.
In recent years, we’ve seen the creation of new high-light-output versions of fluorescent grow lights which can actually be used through the entire vegetative stage.
Some growers even use fluorescent grow lights such as the T5 successfully to flower their plants (if the plants are kept short/small enough through growth control methods).
In general, I recommend changing to stronger grow lights like LEDs or HIDs for the flowering stage because they will usually give you double or more yields/watt of electricity. Unless you keep your plants very small, they will need more light to produce buds than a fluorescent light can usually produce. If you’re in a dire situation where your plants have grown too big and you can’t afford to get a different type of light, you can supplement your fluorescent tubes with additional light, for example, you could supplement their light with a few CFL(compact fluorescent light) bulbs wherever you notice any “shadowy” areas. This is only a minor fix — the real fix is to grow very short plants or upgrade to a bigger light for the flowering stage.
Since T5 grow systems are optimized for flexibility, they can be used in all phases of a plant’s life cycle.
If you’re one of the few that enjoys growing plants by seed, then you know that young sprouts need enough light to avoid stretching.
T5’s allow for you to dim the bulbs and reduce the power output by 50–75%. This amount of light is perfect for keeping sprouts short and without inducing any additional stress.
During the vegetative phase, you can increase your power output to make sure your plants are receiving the light they crave to fuel their growth.
T5’s are perfect for keeping close enough to the canopy without the worry of inducing heat stress. In stark contrast, HPS and MH need to be at least 6”-12” or more above the canopy to avoid heat stress.
Your T5 can be placed 1”-6” above the canopy, which also enables your plant to grow short nodes. The reason for having little space between nodes is that your plant will stretch less during flowering and bud sites will remain compact.
During the flowering stage, you can boost your power output to 100%. This allows your buds to grow without hindrance, all the while keeping your T5 4”-6” above the canopy.
All of these aspects enhance the quantity of your eventual harvest and keep your grow room efficient. T5’s give us the ability to control so many important factors in growing plants.
ECO Farm T5 Fluorecent Fixtures
Features:
This ECO Farm grow light has a high light output, meaning it would work well at any stage of growth. It emits high lumens and claims to give 30% more light output against other grow light systems. For extra light coverage, this grow light from ECO Farm also comes with a 95% built-in reflector, which is a luminium reflector with white powder coating, so your plants are guaranteed to absorb more light than if no reflector were included. Despite its high-power output, this grow light is one of the more budget-friendly options available on the market.
DuroLux T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture
Features:
The grow light has 20000 Lumen, Which is a professional grow lighting system, and it also has a 95% reactivity German Hammer-tone reactor. 30% more light output vs comparable systems. Qty4 6500K 4ft Lamps, Hanging hooks and chains, 8 FT Power cord. Power up to 5 fixtures o one wall outlet — less clutter, more convenience. 2 switches on the body allow for step dimming — one for inner 2 bulbs, another for outer 2 bulbs. It is rated for operation in Wet/Damp environments.
There’s nothing worse than your T5 grow light malfunctioning during the last two weeks of your bloom cycle. Instances like these can easily make or break your harvest and lead to underwhelming results.
Not only could an outage or spark ruin your grow, but it could also potentially have life-threatening consequences.
Another essential aspect to look for when buying the best T5 grow light is the amount of lamps. T5’s generally come with 2, 4, or 8 bulbs depending on the size of your grow space. This is a critical aspect to know before you buy.
Whether you grow in a room or a grow tent, the number of plants will be the determining factor in this category. In my experience, as long as your plants receive a full 360° coverage, they’ll happily produce ample buds.
To determine how many bulbs you’ll need in your T5 grow system is to know how many plants will be in your grow room.
Other important aspects of assessing beforehand are: how big or small will your plants be during flowering? Will you utilize the Screen of Green technique (ScrOG) or the Sea of Green method (SOG)?
I’ve seen countless grow operations where a single bush required a full 8-lamp T5 grow system all to itself. On the other hand, you could potentially fit 9 small plants clones under the same 8-lamp T5 system.
This must be the question you’ve been waiting for. There are a plethora of benefits when it comes to growing with T5 systems.
These lights are highly flexible to fit the needs of beginners to green-thumb professionals. Let’s take a look at what the best T5 grow lights offer.
Adaptability is the T5 grow lights best trait. Just as species throughout time have adapted to exist in their given environment, so does the T5. No grow room or grow tent is created equal.
Each and every grower has a unique situation that can’t be replicated, and it’s for this reason that T5 manufactures built in some necessary functions.
The most significant advantage is that T5’s can be hung in a wide variety of ways: overhead, vertically, or horizontally.
Their slim profile allows them to be raised even higher when your plants begin to explode in growth during the first few weeks of flowering.
Traditional HPS (high-pressure sodium) and MH (metal halide) lamps are bulky, and this disadvantage forces you to concede at least a foot in vertical space to accommodate their size.
Another crucial advantage is the ability to dim your lamps. High-quality T5 grow systems have built-in power switches that allow for 25, 50, and 100% power output.
This benefit allows you to dim your power output during the earlier phases of growth since plants don’t respond well to high amounts of light during this period.
It’s also a mechanism to save you money when you don’t need to run your lamps at 100%.
Deciding on a brand new T5 grow light for your grow room or grow tent can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. Fluorescent grow lights like these can be used in any growing situation, from propagating clones to growing full yields.
We know your time, energy, and money are valuable, so we’ve compiled a list of the best T5 grow lights of the year. And with this guide, you’ll have the tools you need to give you the results you’re looking for. That way you don’t need to spend hours and hours doing the research and can instead dedicate that time to preparing your grow room.
Whether you’re looking to go big, add supplemental lighting, or you need something around your budget, the T5’s listed here are all awesome options. All you need to do is decide which T5 light is the best for your growing goals.
December 16, 2021
When growing plants under HID grow lights like MH or HPS, you want to take as much light from the bulb as possible and deliver it directly to your plants. This is important because maintaining strong light levels in the flowering stage is the only way to grow dense buds and get brag-worthy yields. Higher light levels (up to a point) are also associated with increased potency.
By using a reflector (especially when combined with reflective walls), you can get a significant amount of extra light to your plants without using any more electricity, resulting in faster growth and bigger harvests.
The hood / reflector focuses light down, increasing light levels experienced by the plants
Example of an HPS grow light setup up with an air-cooled hood, ducting and and exhaust system
But which reflector is best for your grow light and space? Is it worth it for you to get a better or more expensive reflector than what you have now, or will your results end up being about the same? Keep reading!
If you’re new to indoor gardening, the first question that comes to mind may be: What is a grow light reflector, and why should I care about them?
As it turns out, reflectors are an essential part of any grow light. They’re basically shields made of a reflective material — typically smooth or textured aluminum.
Grow light reflectors play a vital role in getting your plants all the light they need to thrive by doing a couple different tasks, which we’ll discuss now.
Reflectors Power Your Grow Lights: To start, without a reflector, your grow bulb wouldn’t light at all. Reflectors help transfer the power they receive from the light’s ballast into the bulb — the bulb then uses that energy to create an electric arc that heats the filament and produces light.
Reflectors Distribute Light: Reflectors intensify, concentrate, and direct the light produced by your grow bulb onto the plants below it. Without a reflector to distribute light, the bulb would simply shine into the open air and the light would bounce onto the ceiling and walls around it. This would reduce the light’s effectiveness and lead to much wasted energy and light that isn’t getting to the plants that need it. A reflector ensures proper, intense coverage.
Single-Ended and Double-Ended Reflectors
The first distinction to make between the different types of grow light reflectors is that some of them are designed for single-ended grow lights and others are made for double-ended grow lights.
There are two varieties that HPS grow lights come in:
Single-ended reflectors have sockets that Edison-style single-ended bulbs are screwed into.
Double-ended reflectors are designed so that double-ended grow lights, which have two ends, can snap into place.
The type of HPS grow light you’re using will determine the type of reflector you need. Remember: A double-ended grow light will not be compatible with a single-ended reflector and vice versa.
Sun System Agrotech® Magnum Reflector
Features:
The unique double-ended construction of this Sun System reflector allows for maximum optical efficiency and uniformity. Improved spectrum DE lamps used in this fixture focus on the red component for increased photosynthetic response. They offer improved PAR values and increased PAR/lumen maintenance (up to 90% PAR at 10,000 hrs of operation). 95% reflective textured German aluminum for excellent reflectivity, output and diffusion. Oversized design is excellent for larger growing areas and closer placement to plant canopy. What’s great about this reflector is that it is so wide, it covers the long edges of the area very well. Instead of positioning the reflectors in the center of each 4' x 4' square we recommend that you push them away from each other, so that they are almost at the edges of the 8' area. This is due to the fact that the DE lamp produces so much plant-usable light that instead the “hot spot” forming underneath the lamps, it actually forms directly between the two reflectors.
Features:
The Silverstar CMH reflector is made from highly reflective German textured aluminium for excellent light uniformity and diffusion. It has a multifaceted design that will provide superior uniformity and maximum output. The Silverstar CMH 315W has an integrated PGZX socket that is designed for use with CMH technology. Renown for its quality, Silverstar is always a sure investment. The Silverstar 315W System provides maximum lumen intensity, uniform distribution, and deep canopy penetration. The vertically installed CMH bulb (not included) provides an efficient and complete spectrum, with higher efficiency and less heat output when compared to HPS or MH lamps. Since the CMH bulb spectrum is much wider than HPS/MH, a 4200K or 3100K bulb can be used from vegetative state straight through to flowering, or alternate 4200K during vegetative and 3100K for flowering to maximize growth and yield.
Get Most Reflective Hood as Possible (95% Reflectivity)
Hoods commonly come labeled as having 85% or 95% reflectivity (though some may not say anything about reflectivity, which usually means it’s 85%). Although it’s often more expensive to purchase a hood with higher reflectivity, it’s not a bad idea if you can afford it! Although there’s not a huge difference in performance between the two types, the 95% reflective hoods definitely do reflect more light. Every bit of extra light received by your plants can make a difference!
Get a reflector / hood that is labeled to have 95% reflectivity, if possible
A Good Hood Can Be Opened Up
This may be something you don’t think about the first time you’re getting a hood/reflector, but they each have different ways to get inside so you can screw in your bulb.
If possible, get a hood that’s been labeled as having either “hinges” or “sliding glass” (preferably hinged) in order to get to the light socket. Otherwise you might be sticking your hands in from the side air hole whenever you want to change the bulb. Not being able to get past the glass can also make it difficult to clean the inside of your hood if it gets dirty (and the glass should be as clean as possible to make sure it’s not blocking any light from getting through). However, although this is a matter of convenience for you, it doesn’t really have much effect on your plants.
Make sure you can somehow remove or open the glass in order to get to the inside of the air-cooled hood to change the bulb or clean the glass
Do I want a 6-inch or 8-inch opening on the sides?
Every air-cooled hood has an opening that can be used to connect the hood to a fan or ducting. These openings come in different sizes, so which do you choose? 6-inch is the most common size, and has the most options, but you may have reasons to want a bigger size.
6-inch — Effective for cooling up to three lights that are hooked together < — Most common sieze, if you’re not sure, get this!
8-inch — Necessary to get enough airflow when more than three lights are being hooked together, though you have fewer options
Make sure your hood has the right sized openings for the ducting you plan to use (if in doubt, get one with 6-inch openings)
Remember that it’s usually best to go with a cooled reflector when possible, especially if you’re worried about grow room temperatures rising too much.
Overall, though, once you know what you need for your grow room, making the right choice is a lot easier! When in doubt, just check out our suggestions above, and know that there’s no wrong way to go with any of the options listed in this guide.
December 15, 2021
December 14, 2021
November 29, 2021
November 27, 2021
Get on the fast-track to better growth with LED grow lights. Finely-tuned light recipes improve the quality, consistency and yield of vegetables and fruits — even during winter months. Whether you are growing vegetables indoors or growing fruits indoors, LED grow lights complement natural light, supplying the spectrum and intensity that your crops need without adding extra heat. Plus, LED lighting is an efficient way to increase lighting capacity and lower electricity usage.
Chlorophyll absorption, photosynthesis, and growth are aided by violet-blue light in the 400–520 nm range. Flowering and budding are stimulated by red light in the 610–720 wavelength. Photosynthesis is essential for plant growth, and grow lights should supply the right spectrum of light. Check out the offered colour spectrum before purchasing a light. For your growing environment, broad-spectrum lights are the best option. LED lights can help in this situation. The majority of LED growth lights provide both forms of colour spectrum lighting, allowing you to reap the full benefits.
You probably already know that plants require light if you know anything about them. It is used for photosynthesis, which is the conversion of light into carbohydrates. Plants turn light to food in layman’s words. They will perish if they do not receive food. But here’s the thing: here’s the thing: here’ Plants in the house, as the name implies, live in the house. Outside, where there is less light. You already know all of this. I’m just double-checking that we’re on the same page. Sure, many plants can survive in low light, but only a handful can survive in complete darkness. There aren’t any, unfortunately.
“PAR” stands for photo-synthetically active radiation. This measurement of light is often referred to as full-spectrum light. Full-spectrum lights are the wavelengths of light between 440 nm and 700 nm which includes ultraviolet and infrared. These plants use this whole spectrum to photosynthesize light into simple sugars.
When purchasing a LED grow light system, you will find that the higher end systems will all be full spectrum. Be cautious when investigating cheaper grow lights as manufactures sometimes claim to be full-spectrum but don’t provide IF and IR LED Chips in their units.
Is full spectrum light absolutely a requirement? You can get away without ultraviolet and infrared but this could leave your plants open to unwanted issues such as molds and mildews. Ultraviolet light is nature’s sterilizer, it’s even used to kill viruses. When growing in a small area such as a grow tent it really is important to have ultraviolet to mitigate the risks of enclosed growing.
Full spectrum LED lights generally have two operational modes; vegetation and flowering. In Vegetation mode the grow light will use 40% less energy and use less red light. This is because vegetation doesn’t require as much energy as flowering a plant. As well flowering plants require more red light to grow fat healthy buds. When you’re ready to start flowering your plants just flip the operational mode over to flowering and you are done. No need to change light bulbs.
While LED lights emit light faster and take up less space, it requires precise power management. Find out if this is the type of lighting that’s best for you and how it compares to other grow lights.
One thing is for sure a full spectrum LED grow light will produce a larger yield than a LED grow light that isn’t full spectrum. I’ve grown with both options and the full spectrum option really takes LED grow lights to the next level.
ECO Farm UI2 690W Samsung 301B Chips LED Grow Light
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light adoptes high efficiency with 2.8 umol/j while only consuming only 690watts. Adequate and sun-like light can prevent the growth of plants from spindly and moulding. The best lighting solution for indoor hydroponics and soil cultivation. More uniform coverage. Perfect for 5x5 with max of 6x6 space. If in a grow tent, over 90% of reflected light can be absorbed by plants. New designed aluminum material quickly disperses heat without a noisy fan. The light intensity can be changed by dimmer knob according to the different growth stages of plants. Saving up to 50% energy and 30% cooler than than other grow lamp. With 180°folding design, the angle and range of light can be adjusted appropriately and storage space saving. One will meet all your needs.
Phantom Photobio•MX 680W 100–277V S4 Spectrum
Features:
PHOTOBIO grow light abandons the bar style concept in favor of a more efficient contiguous circuit board to deliver unparalleled PPFD uniformity to the canopy. The iLOC Integrated Light Output Control onboard dimming knob allows the grower to adjust the photon output intensity to accommodate the various stages of plant growth for optimal photosynthesis activation. With the knob adjusted to 100% using 240V, the MX uses 664W and puts out 1700 μmol/s photon flux (PPF). With the knob adjusted to 40%, the MX uses 270W and puts out 40% of the high-efficiency photon flux. The high efficiency S4 spectrum does not change when using the dimmer knob and still provides ideal red to blue ratio for vigorous growth and maximized flower development.
Full-spectrum led grow light contains not only visible light, they also have infrared (IR) light and ultraviolet (UV) light.
UV rays are not pleasing to humans as they make our skins tanned or even cause cancer. But UV rays are good for plants. They help plants to form shapes, growing beautiful colors, and improve resistance to the external environment. For those who can only grow plants in shady interior spaces, UV grow lights are needed. Besides, short UV radiation will also help prevent plants from growing stems without flowering, and even kill germs that are harmful to plants’ growth.
IR rays mostly produce heat. Plants and crops need heat to grow vibrant. And you will need an IR light as a fill light in hydroponics — growing plants without soil.
There are many factors to consider when deciding on the right LED lights for you.
Your grow space
Your lighting needs will vary quite a lot depending on your unique physical space. Because of the way light is distributed by a particular fixture, it might make more sense to have a few small fixtures as compared to one large one. This is where the PAR chart comes in handy.
For example, if you’re lighting a 4-by-8-foot space, perhaps you’d get better overall coverage with two lights that have a single point of light emission versus one light that has multiple, spread-out diodes. You can compare the PAR charts of different lights — while also weighing optimal light coverage against your budget — to make the best choice.
The product specs
Do your homework. Comparing one product’s advertised wattage and price to another product’s wattage and price is like comparing apples to oranges. Look at metrics like PPF, the PAR chart, and photon efficacy to truly compare products.
Your budget
LED grow lamps can be quite expensive, though there is a wide range of products out there at various price points. That said, you generally get what you pay for with LEDs, so if a product is touting superior specs at a low price, be suspicious. Considering that LED fixtures should provide years of useful life, it might be worth the investment to spend a little extra. But if budget and initial investment are driving considerations for you, more traditional lighting options like compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or high-intensity discharge lights (HID) might be the better way to go.
Research is making strides in understanding how LEDs affect plant growth. This better understanding, one hopes, will lead to better technology that will one day help tackle our food problems.
For those of us living in apartments that don’t receive an abundance of sunlight, there are affordable and small growth chambers that should work just as well as the sun. Just make sure that the light isn’t switched on all the time, since too much light is bad for a plant!
Even with these grow lights’ options, sunlight remains the best light source for plants. So if you can, take your plants out for a day of sunbathing!
November 23, 2021
If you have plants that need a little more fun in the sun, but you’re lacking the sunny climate or the south facing window of your dreams, you might be thinking about supplementing with grow lights.
More specifically, you’re probably wondering what kind of grow lights are the best for your indoor plants. And let’s be honest — that brings up a whole other host of questions.
While picking the right kind of grow lights for your plants might seem a little overwhelming at first, don’t panic. We’ve got the lowdown on all the basics you need to know to keep your plants happy, healthy, and photosynthesizing with the best of ‘em.
Compared to HPS grow lights, LED Grow Lights are far superior.
1) Economical: As a result of using less energy and heat to create more useable light, LED grow lights are a far more cost-effective and handy solution than traditional lights, which have long electricity bills.
2) Eco-Friendly: LED lights are environmentally safe and recyclable since they do not contain dangerous gases or compounds like mercury or lead.
3) Longer Lifespan: LED lights are more environmentally friendly since they consume less energy to create the same amount of heat. Designed to last up to 102,000 hours, they are built to last a long time. They are more long-lasting and durable than conventional lights because of their low operating temperature.
4) Efficiency: More than 40–60 % of the power generated by LED lights is used to provide useable light, compared to ordinary incandescent bulbs. Unlike traditional lights, LED grow lights emit extremely little heat and use 80% of their power to produce light instead of wasting 20%-40% of their energy.
5) Less Heat Production: Due to the lack of 730nm wavelengths in LED lights, the plants receive only a small amount of heat, and the rest comes from the panel itself. As a result, grow lights are ideal for the cultivation of plants, as they do not produce as much heat as other types of lighting.
6) Better Crop Production: By giving plants appropriate lighting in the form of grow lights, they are able to grow at a faster rate and produce more crops.
Neocision Spectra Explorer 340W LED Grow Light-BVV
Features:
This BVV grow light is designed for a full grow cycle with maximized red for increased photosynthesis, and effectively promotes plant leaves, stem growth, and flower yield. The full spectrum, infinite close to natural sun light, is suitable for all stages of indoor growth of all plants, accelerating flowering time and increasing yield! Ideal for 2’ x 4’ tent environments for increased consistency and yield. Using the most advanced SMD LED technology, to provide high PAR output, high energy efficiency and long life while improving light transmission. Comparable to a traditional 600W HPS or CMH light. Save up to 70% on your electricity bill.
Fluence SPYDRx 340W LED Grow Light
Features:
Fluence grow light is a 340W LED indoor grow light with an average — not max — PPFD above 455 is perfect as an vegetative-stage, top-lighting solution for commercial applications, and as a full-cycle top-lighting solution for residential applications without CO2 addition. Anodized, extruded aluminum alloy chassis with integrated heatsink for longevity and passive, natural convection thermal management (no fans or moving components). Fluence PhysioSpec Indoor is a full-cycle spectrum optimized for rapid growth and complete plant development. Tailored for growing plants from initiation to senescence (germination, clones/cuttings, mothers, vegetative and flowering applications) in indoor environments.
Seasonal changes or lack of windows can make it tricky to provide enough light to your houseplants or cultivate a wide variety of plants at any climate and during any time of the year. Grow lights are specially designed to substitute natural sunlight. They help to stimulate photosynthesis by providing the correct color spectrum needed for the plant to grow and flourish. The right light fixture or bulb enables you to savor delicious tomatoes in the dead of winter or enjoy the aesthetics of beautiful violets year-round. Different varieties of Grow lights have their strengths and characteristics. Here’s a list of factors to consider before choosing Grow Lights for your plants.
1. Color (Light Photosynthetic Spectrum)
Light spectrum measured in nanometers is helpful to know the wavelength of lights. We use different nanometres ranges for different growth phases of plants. Certain types of bulbs filter out the rays in the spectrum needed by your plants. Indoor plants need a light spectrum, ranging between 400–700 nanometres, also known as Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). This rating is mentioned on the packaging of the bulbs. A 2700K bulb will be a good starting point for flowers but is not high enough for growing vegetables, which requires a 6500K bulb and is a wide-spectrum option.
2. Intensity
Plants are exposed to a certain amount of light. It depends on the kind of light, the strength of the bulb, and the position of the lights.
3. Duration
Photoperiod means the duration of time in which a plant receives enough light; day length. It is the developmental responses of plants to the relative durations of light and dark periods. Plants need 16–18 hours of exposure to external light each day to grow. More exposure doesn’t necessarily improve plant growth at any rate. Plants that indicate photoperiodism that use day length to trigger blooming should be exposed to under 12–14 hours of light in the stage of flowering. The cycle of darkness that follows should, however, be uninterrupted to form fruit and flowers well. A timer should ideally be used to control the duration.
4. Plant Kind and Growth Phase
Various kinds of plants may require different light intensities. Forest plants typically don’t need the same amount of light as tropical plants originating from a hot sunny climate need. Additionally, the amount of lights plants need are not the same at different phases of their growth. Of course, a full-spectrum grow light can aid in all stages of plant growth.
5. Placements
Correct placement of light is very vital for your indoor plants to induce photosynthesis. It is also crucial to choose the appropriate light with the best intensity and a supplemental light source to extend daylight. Additionally, full-cycle lighting in a space without any natural light should also be considered before choosing Grow Lights. Hot bulbs can burn plants and ruin the crop. In essence, plants placed far away from light absorb little heat. Typically, each square foot of the growing area of indoor plants needs 30–50 watts.
6. Cost
Small bulbs can be obtained for cheap, while large operations to set up a light source for growing plants can cost thousands of dollars.
Ultimately, grow lights come down to your preferences, growing space and whatever your budget allows. Just start small if you’re not sure how often and how much you’d like to grow.
I sincerely hope this guide on growing lights helps you successfully grow your veggies indoors.
And, speaking of that … It really feels empowering to be able to grow your own food. Whether you can’t find what you need in stores or you just want to be more self-sufficient, this is an excellent step in that direction!
November 10, 2021
Growing plants indoors require a suitable dehumidifier to avoid moisture-related issues like root rot and mold.
Based on our research and testing we have selected the best dehumidifiers from various manufacturers for grow tents/rooms to help you choose the right one!
In simple terms, a dehumidifier sucks in air from your desired room at one end of the unit, removes the moisture from that bunch of air by using a fan to draw warm, moist air over a cold coil (in much the same way that a refrigerator works) and then blows the now cool, dry air back out into the room again, out the other end of the unit.
The moisture the dehumidifier collects usually drips into a removable collection bucket within the unit. You have to either manually remove and empty this bucket every so often, or, with some dehumidifiers, you can run a water hose out from the dehumidifier and into a floor drain. If you don’t have a floor drain, then some dehumidifiers have built-in pumps that can direct the collected moisture out and up through a water hose leading to a shop sink, out a window or wherever might be convenient.
Features:
At 745 watts, this unit uses less power than any of its peers. Granted, if you place it in a small growing space, it’s still going to add heat, but it will add less heat than just about any other comparably sized unit on the market, and it’ll cost you less to use. Those are good things, and the unit’s energy efficiency is one of the major reasons this model placed a solid second in this part of our review. Feature-wise, it’s got everything you’d expect from a dehumidifier in its class and in fact, offers the same feature set as our overall winner (auto-defrost and restart, fill sensor for the tank and auto-shutoff, two fan speeds and two modes of operation (time or humidity target). Also, it has a washable filter that traps dust, pollen, pet dander, and the like, returning air to your growing space cleaner than when it went into the unit.
Ivation 70 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
Features:
Compact But PowerfulAt just 40 pounds, it fits discreetly in most spaces. Durable smooth-rolling caster wheels ensure portable ease, and you can customize air regulation with two fan settings, for effective moisture removal in areas up to 4500 square feet.Breathable Comfort & CleanOur innovative filtration and evaporation system ensures a safe and pleasant atmosphere by preventing mold, mildew and structural cracking.Relief from the HeatRemove up to 70 pints of moisture a day for relief during humid months. Simply empty the high-capacity 1.3-gal reservoir upon auto-shutoff, check the level indicator, or hook up the optional hose for continuous draining.Tech Savvy SystemA smart Ivation design lets you control moisture levels with a simple LCD interface. Check the humidistat, set your ideal levels, adjust fan speed, program the 24-hour timer, and receive important filter and reservoir alerts for no-hassle operation.
Following things must be kept in mind before purchasing the dehumidifier.
✓ The weather in your area — is it humid or dry most of the time.
✓ Expected water extraction rate of dehumidifier.
✓ Size and design of dehumidifier.
✓ Functions- handles, wheels, dimensions, loudness etc.
✓Size of your grow room — most important.
✓Level of humidity in the air.
IS RUNNING A DEHUMIDIFIER FOR GROW TENT EXPENSIVE
Knowing how much it costs to run a dehumidifier is important especially when you have large grow tents to maintain. A standard model of dehumidifier runs around 280 watts per hours. Now this comes out to be 0.28 kW which will directly give you per day price if multiplied with the cost of electricity in your area.
Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier for a Grow Room
One of the most essential stuff you want to apprehend as growers of cannabis (other than such things as led grow lighting fixtures and) is that the best plant life require a consistent intake of gallons of water. When the moisture in a grow tent is excessive, over time the plants will use their leaves to absorb moisture from the distance round them. When the moister is low in a grow container, they take in water via their roots instead.
Thus, having manage of the fine moisture to your indoor grow tent lets in you the pleasant manage over your plant life’ nutrient intake. Moreover, having the proper degrees for your develop tent improves the improvement of the cannabis plant, supplying you with robust, healthy, and leafy vegetation. Outside of reaping rewards the plant life, controlling the moisture inside the grow room with one the first-class develop room dehumidifier is likewise quality for stopping troubles such as mildew, bud root, and leaf rot.
White powdery mould is one of the maximum common problems with developing cannabis in high-moister environments. This fungal sickness is hard to deal with as growing hashish flowers grow high-quality in humid environments. The true news is that a grow room dehumidifier and proper airflow for your grow tents are all you want to save you this sort of fungal growth and make a appropriate surroundings.
The worst hassle that growers experience due to terrible environmental control is bud root. The hassle with bud rot is that it’s difficult to identify. You may want to become harvesting your hashish flora thinking you’ve got the fine healthy crop simplest to discover that you without a doubt have a vain batch of moldy buds. Make sure you purchase the satisfactory dehumidifier for develop room and make sure most effective the great effects and that you don’t encounter this frustration.
Dehumidifier placement in a grow room is critical to the effectiveness of the dehumidification process. Whether you are using a single unit for the entire room or several dehumidifiers, you need to adhere to the following tips:
Ensure Even Distribution: Balance the distance between each unit. If you’re using a single unit, you need to place it in the middle of the room.
Maximize Airflow: Place each dehumidifier in an open space where there’s plenty of air movement. Ideally, avoid corners and ensure that there are a few feet between the filter and the wall.
Point to Consider: Some dehumidifiers are free-standing while others are suspended or installed inside the wall. You may also encounter ducted units that are capable of dehumidifying rooms in which they are not installed. If you go for a ducted or suspended dehumidifier, ensure that it comes with a remote control as accessibility may not always be easy.
Dehumidifiers can play an integral part in any grow tent or grow room, and if your serious about controlling every aspect of your crops environment and producing the best yield possible, then investing in the best dehumidifier for grow tent is a must.
Without one, serious issues may arise that put an end to your crop before it’s even begun.
It doesn’t end there though, make sure if you do invest in a quality grow tent or grow room dehumidifier that you get your sizing, placement, and air flow correct, as these three things are just as important as the equipment itself for a successful crop.
November 02, 2021
Not getting the desired results for the indoor plants you handpicked for yourself? Are you sure they are receiving the light that they need?
After all, sufficient availability of light is as essential for plants as the soil quality. So, if you are still using an average-quality grow light, it’s high time you choose a better light source like a full spectrum LED grow light. In fact, this type of grow lights is considered to be one of the best options for indoor plants.
New generation LED grow lights are designed with the latest technologies to provide essential lights to the plants.
Most manufacturers use a full spectrum to keep the balance of PAR and Lumen Output per LED.
Comes with a built-in cooling system that doesn’t let the system overheat.
LED Grow light produces less heat compared to other lights.
LED Grow lights provide more yields and are more efficient than traditional CFLs.
You don’t need any additional ballast to start the light.
LED Grow lights come with simple plug-and-play functionality. They are very easy to use and don’t come with complex functions and features.
Mars Hydro SP-250 LED Grow Light
Features:
The Mars Hydro grow light is meant for a multitude of applications, from greenhouse growing to indoor cannabis gardening. Thanks to multiple features, Mars Hydro SP250 is an excellent piece of hardware for your cannabis plants. First and foremost, The SP250 pulls 230-watts from the wall and is meant to replace 2,000-watts of traditional HID lighting. For those of you who have experience with HID lighting — this is a massive difference. When all is said and done, your electricity bill will be a fraction of what you’re used to paying with traditional HID grow light systems. Thanks to the efficient diodes that the Mars Hydro SP250 utilizes, along with the IR, UV, and full-spectrum bonuses — this is a true grow light contender. The SP250 is built similarly to T5 CFL lights, which are long in shape. These units perform exceedingly well when paired with multiple units. However, the SP250 doesn’t come cheap, which may sway would-be buyers to a different design.
SunStream 250W Broad Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
The SunStream LED grow light is a high-power LED fixture for cultivating cannabis, flower, vegetable and fruiting crops. Ideal for commercial growers, its streamlined design fits narrower grow spaces to optimize light distribution. The SunStream 250 is proven to increase crop yield and quality, enhance crop appearance, extend crop’s shelf life and improve taste. Broad spectrum light maximizes production throughout the growth cycle supporting all stages of crop growth. Secondary optics provide even illumination and ensure uniform photon delivery. Long-lasting LED fixtures generate less heat compared to HID grow lights, so fixtures can be placed much closer to plants.
When choosing grow lights look for μmol/m2/s. If your plants are grown inside until they are ready for flowering, the lights will need to be between 300- 600 μmol/m2/s.
Pay attention to the amount of blue light and red light that the grow lights emit. Remember seedlings will require more blue light. Several models of grow lights now come with a button that switches from vegetative growth to fruiting/flowering.
Another unit of measure you may see is the color temperature which is measured in Kelvins. Seedlings need at least 65000k, which is more of a cool blue light color temperature. Red light color temperatures range from 1000k- 5000k.
A lumen reading will be present on the fluorescent tube set up. Lumens measures the amount of yellow light that humans see and it not a good measure to determine lights for plants. However more lumens will generally be better.
Look for triple chip LEDs. This provides more useable light for plants and is much brighter and efficient than double and single-chip LEDs.
Look for fans or heat sinks, these keep the light kit cooler. Cooler light kits mean that they will last longer. This may also mean higher wattage, but it is important to keep the lights cool.
Look for a daisy chain option. Lights that come with a daisy chain option will allow you to attach more than one unit together allowing you to expand your system over time.
Use an auto timer set up so seedlings can receive between 12–16 hours of light.
Wattage in LED lights has nothing to do with brightness or how intense the light will be. Wattage relates to the amount of electricity used, and therefore the cost of running the lights.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how far away from the plants the light should be from the light source.
Veg and Bloom Switch options are helpful. All young seedlings including flowers will need to be on the veg switch. Two weeks prior to putting plants outside, also turn on the bloom switch.
Appropriate distance between LED growing light and plant canopy is not universal since there are of a different brand, coverage area, beam angle, light shape amongst others. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Nevertheless, 18″-36″ is a classic distance; 18″ for flower and 24″ or more for veg.
About 32 watts of actual wattage is needed per square foot of grow space. Though some LED grows lights require less. On the contrary, some others require more depending on productivity. It is recommended to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions since all LED units are differently designed.
If you are asking the big question, “what kind of light is best for plants growth?” then these choices are the best that you can choose from. Along with the buying guide that we’ve constructed above, you now have a clear-cut guide on how to choose the best light for vegetative growth that you can have for your garden.
Do you think that this guide was able to help you? If you did, share it with your friends! They’ll most likely also benefit from it.