June 27, 2022
Growing plants in an indoor grow tent requires that you provide all the elements that support plants growth. One of the essential elements is light. Light is vital in boosting biomass and prompting change from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage. Thus, you need to install suitable grow lights in your indoor grow tent. Different strains have different light needs, and plants at certain growth stages have varied light needs. And so, you need to prepare very well to be able to leverage grow lights for the best outcome.
EFFICIENCY
While they are only now gaining traction in the growing world, LED grow lights for plants are the most effective grow light available to growers today. The moderate 75 percent more power than regular grow lights and, in turn, keep your power consumption low and your power bills affordable.
LESS HEAT
Some of the Best LEDs for plants are popular for their ability to produce very low levels of heat. Because they have a significantly lower heat output, you don’t need to use fans and ventilators to maintain low temperatures in your grow room. You also don’t need to worry about fires as you would if you had HID lights. Even better, LED lights feel cool to the touch even after hours of running.
MORE DURABLE
Many growers pick the LED grow light option for durability. Usually, the durability can be attributed to LED lights’ lack of filaments to burn. An LED light can give you over 50,000 to 60,000 hours of light, which is impressive compared to the 2000–3000 hour-lifespan of HID lights.
SMALL
Another reason to get a LED grow light is that they are smaller than regular lights and tend to take up less space in your growing room, allowing your plants to thrive.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS OF USING LEDS
As with any other type of grow light, LED lights can present some drawbacks:
HIGH UPFRONT COSTS
LED grow lights for plants, for instance, tend to come with high upfront costs (buying the lights, setup, etc.). That said, they are cheaper than other options over time, thanks to their durability. Find out how much does growing plants cost in electricity before choosing your lights.
POWER MANAGEMENT
Another drawback of LED grow lights is that they require more precise power and heat management than HID lights.
Loriflux 630W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
This Loriflux LED grow light was designed and engineered by growers for use in full-cycle cultivation. With variable power levels and a rigorously developed and field-tested spectrum, our light vastly simplifies the growing process while allowing even the most seasoned veterans the control and power to exceed yields beyond anything they have ever experienced. For optimal results, recommend that this fixture is used in environments with supplemental CO2 at a range of 800–1400PPM due to high concentration of PPFD. Constructed from aircraft grade aluminum and top brand LEDs and Drivers, the low profile, durable and sleek design of the fixtures allows the product to be utilized in ANY growing environment whether it be large scale commercial, vertical, or hobbyist
Iluminar iLogic 8 630 Watt LED Grow Light
Features:
The Iluminar grow light has a full spectrum array, specifically engineered for vegetative and flower cycles that require high μmol performance at a lower clearance to the canopy. Not only will this spectrum provide a more powerful and full spectrum for your plants, but the UV rays will also whip out any trace of powdery mildew that can be detrimental to healthy growth. Enhance trichome development increase yield with the state-of-the-art ILUMINAR iLogic8 UV+Far Red. Adding far-red to the light spectrum can increase leaf size, enabling plants to capture more light and potentially increase growth. Therefore, over time, far-red radiation can indirectly increase growth. Enjoy all the benefits of full spectrum & UV+Far-Red lighting without sacrificing efficiency. The iLogic™8 LED family delivers deep, penetrating light intensity along with industry-leading uniformity over a square 4’ x 4’ footprint.
Don’t buy LED grow lights until you read these 6 important factors.
1. Cost
This is the number one parameter to be considered. Of course, you must buy something that falls within your budget.
A grow light is available in the market at as low as $100. On the other hand, the cost may increase to as much as $2,000 for the lights equipped with the latest technologies.
How many times will you grow this plant per year? This question plays a key role in selecting the right product. If you have to grow plants multiple times a year, your investment will be recovered in a short span compared to if you grow it once a year.
Important Note: LED grow lights may be costly compared to HIDs, but they will cost you less electricity bills.
In addition, some lights get hot, and you need cooling equipment to cool them down. It requires more electricity which means more cost.
Don’t forget to consider all the parameters mentioned above to get the best cost-effective LED light to grow indoor plants.
2. Warranty
There is no doubt that LED lights are simple and easy to use. Moreover, you can easily maintain them. Still, it is always a better approach to check for the product’s warranty because you can claim either an exchange or refund if there is any built-in issue in the light you have purchased. A warranty secures your investment, and every reputed seller provides this service.
3. Number Of LED Grow Lights Required
Usually, the people who regularly grow indoor plants use 1 to 2 lights. Many states have allowed to grow up to only 6 to 12 Hemp or other indoor plants. So, 1 or 2 LED lights are enough for them. For instance, if you plan to utilize two different rooms, you can place 1 light in each room.
When it comes to how big an LED grow light should be, it depends on two different factors, i.e., the size of the space you want to grow in and the number of plants you want to grow.
If you have a small room to grow plants in, only a single LED light will do the job for you. But, if you have a bigger space, you can invest in big lights instead of installing multiple small lights. A light with more wattage will perform much better for bigger fields than many lights with less wattage.
4. Plant Stage
The type of light required varies depending on the age of the plants. Both mature and young plants need different lights. Usually, the people who benefit from HIDs use HPS bulbs to grow flowery plants and MH bulbs for their vegetative alternative. Nowadays, with the decent advancements in technology, some LEDs are specially introduced to target different light spectrums.
5. Safety
Have you installed all the lighting equipment, and you are all set to grow plants? Great! You must consider that you should have a continuous power source to run the whole setup. To have a suitable power source, you need to closely monitor each component’s power requirements, e.g., air conditioner, fan, lights, etc.
Simply calculate the amount of power required by each component. Now, sum up all to find the total energy required for the complete system. Once done, purchase a power source or arrange the one that can provide you with slightly more power than the required threshold.
In addition, this system has to run every day for a series of months; therefore, ensuring a flawless and smooth power supply is a must. If your system performs well throughout the growing period, you will get an amazing product in the end.
6. Ventilation
It is also one of the most critical parameters that can never be taken for granted when choosing the right LED grow lights. If you have a small place to grow plants and install a light that becomes hot within a few hours, you will need fans to cool that light down. But you can’t install fans as the space is already small. What to do in such a scenario?
To deal with this challenge, start searching for a light that doesn’t become too hot when turned on for a long time. LED lights will surely lend a helping hand in this regard. They are considered the best products to give your indoor plant a solid boost.
When you grow plants indoors with lights, you have to decide what is most important. Will you prefer to buy cheap lights that consume a lot of energy, or would you rather spend a lot of money at the start and spend less on electricity? You also have to consider the conditions in which you are growing your plants. What works well in one space may not be suitable for a different area.
October 20, 2023