August 25, 2021
LED Grow Lights have boomed in popularity over the last couple of years. Grower’s are finding that although the initial investment is more expensive than HPS, LED grow lights are more efficient, have a fuller spectrum, emit a similar amount of light, provide better uniformity, last longer, save on electricity costs, emit around 40% less heat, and most importantly — provide better quality, comparable yields.
What makes a good LED grow light? There are 6 things you want to look for when buying an LED grow light:
In the past, hydroponic gardeners depended mostly on High Intensity Discharge or HID lights, including both Metal Halide (MH), and High Pressure Sodium (HPS). HID lights are incredibly effective for growing all types of plants because they emit light in the right spectrum for plants in both flowering/fruiting and vegetative stages of growth, and they are powerful enough to provide light for large gardens.
HID lighting costs a lot of money up front and to maintain. HIDs require a separate ballast, which regulates the voltage to the light bulb. They also put out a significant amount of heat, so reflectors and ventilation from inline fans are an added cost, not to mention the extra electricity usage that is wasted in the form of heat.
Some growers also choose to use fluorescent or CFL lighting in their grow ops. CFL is much more efficient than HID, but the lights are not very powerful. This kind of lighting is best for very small gardens, or for short term use such as growing seedlings or clones.
LED lights are relatively new on the market, having been around for just over a decade, but they are quickly becoming the industry standard for hobbyists as well as professional growers. LEDs are super efficient when compared to HID and even CFL lights. They emit almost no heat, which means no wasted energy, even though they are as powerful as the competition in terms of light output. This means that your grow room stays much cooler, reducing the need for inline fans or other ventilation.
Less heat also reduces the amount of water evaporation. This of course reduces the cost and frequency of watering, but also makes it much easier to regulate humidity levels in your garden.
Usually you will find LED grow lights that have a combination of red and blue lights, sometimes yellow as well as Ultraviolet and Infared depending on the size and cost of the light. Flowering and fruiting plants require a slightly different light spectrum for their flowering vs. vegetative stages of growth.
Some of the more sophisticated LED panels have an easy access switch that allows you to select the color ratio depending on what stage your plants are in. If you are growing herbs or lettuces, this added feature is not necessary.
ECO Farm ECOM Bluspec 650W LED Grow Light with Samsung LM301B and OSRAM Chip
Features:
The ECO Farm LED Grow Light delivers growers and indoor gardeners the ability to stimulate pre-visibility, boost yields and increase quality all season long. The grow light utilizes Highest-Quality, High-Efficiency Samsung, Osram LEDs. Every top-bin LED is selected from the industry leader for its particular wavelength, including Samsung, Osram, etc, to deliver spectacular PPF output up to 2.7 umol/J, The light intensity is higher, the light attenuation is smaller, and the lumen and PAR value are better than ordinary LED. It enables you to obtain a 30% higher output than HPS. This durably constructed LED grow light has 8 bar technology to deliver smooth, even light over the canopy. Nanomaterial primary coating can ensure durability and cleanability, Maximize efficiency at the same time. In addition, the plant grow light uses an advanced waterproof power supply, installed in The outside of the lamp is easy to replace. This kind of growth lamp is a full-period lighting solution suitable for all growth environments (including humid environments), and is an idea l choice for greenhouse or indoor lighting.
Spectrum: 3000K+6500K+660nm+460–470nm+ 450nm
LED Chips:
LM301B 3000K 6500K 279pcs x8
OSRAM 660nm 12pcs x8
Osram 470nm 2pcs x8
Osram 450nm 1pcsx8
LEDs: 2352 Total LEDs
Efficacy:2.7umol/J
AC Input Power:650W
PPF:1715 umol/s
Grams Per Watt: up to 2.0
Lifetime: >50,000
Fixture Dimensions: 113*110*4 CM
Weight: 15kg
Coverage Footprint:
Veg: 4' x 4' area (Up to 7' x 7' area)
Flower: 4' x 4' area (1.2m x 1.2m)
Max: 5' x 5' area (1.5m x 1.5m)
Hanging Height : Flower: 6"-24"
Warranty : 5-year standard warranty
FloraGear FLORA S6 PRO™ 630w Full-Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
The FloraGear grow light represents the latest in LED grow light technology. Designed for professional growers and cultivators, it offers high quality light and even coverage, and is built for durability in any grow environment. It features the Samsung LM301H LEDs made specifically for horticultural purposes. Its exclusive combination of 4000k and Far Red (OSRAM) spectrum chips give it a massive light spectrum “backbone”: more robust reds and blues, and more spectral depth and colors plants require for optimum growth throughout the vegetative and bloom phases. Covers up to 5x5 Bloom and up to 7x7 veg canopy.
Samsung LM301H Horticultural-Grade LEDs
Inventronics 0–10v LED Driver with Built-In Dimmer
Dimmer Knob (40%, 60%, 80%, 100%, External Controller)
Efficiency: 2.7 μmol/J
PPF: 1750μmol/s
Input Voltage: AC 100–277V
Believe it or not, there are thousands of LED grow lights are currently offered in the market. Thus, choosing the best 600W LED grow lights can be a little challenging especially if you’re a first-time buyer. In this case, we’ve come prepared with some tips to help you choose the best 600W LED grow lights. Most importantly, these tips will help you score the best deals to make the most of your budget. So, read on and start making your checklist.
Determine The Crops You Want To Grow
First things first, determine the kind of crops or plants you want to grow under these lighting systems. Depending on the kind and amount of harvest you aim to get, you can get the right type of model. Specifically, smaller units that may or may not have a daisy chain feature are perfect for beginners and hobbyists. Some may also be offered as DIY kits to suffice the customers’ love for indoor gardening. For bigger crops that are also bigger in number, there are bigger units that are suitable for commercial use. These models also have ETL or UL certification to ensure your plants’ healthy growth. When it comes to greeneries, there are vertical LED grow lights that can boost their yield and growth.
Measure Your Lighting Area
To make sure that every part of your plants are well-lighted, measure the entire area that needs to be covered. Once you have your needed size, it will be easier for you to find a model that has the same lighting coverage. Regardless, your grow light’s coverage area can be over but not less than your plants’ coverage area. In some cases, you may use multiple LEDs to cover a certain area and connect them with daisy chain fixtures.
Determine Your Plants’ Growth Stage
Depending on your plants’ growth stage, you may need to switch between different lighting modes such as veg and bloom modes. You may also need LED grow lights that can produce a full spectrum to support all your plants’ growth stages. Some may also include dimmers which come in handy in some growth stages.
Check The Light’s Angle
Another thing to look for when choosing the best 600W LED grow lights is its light angle. The greater the angle the better angle of dispersion and light coverage your plants can get. Thus, a lesser angle is also equal to less dispersion but more direct light.
Consider Your Budget
Whether you want to admit or not, we all need a budget no matter how big or small it is. All the mentioned items above together with your budget can help you narrow down your search. Just like buying other products, it is never a good idea to overspend unless necessary. Thus, it is just practical to set a flexible budget that you can use to consider your options.
Before you decide on purchasing a certain model of LED grow lights on the market, take note of their differences. Not all 600W LED grow lights are the same simply because they come from different manufacturers and brands. Thus, these lighting systems may arrive in the market with some similarities and unique features. Of course, it’s hard to tell which one has the best feature without actually laying them in front of you.
August 24, 2021
Indoor gardening without the proper equipment for the job can be a hell of a difficult task. The main challenge being the lack of sufficient sunlight or good quality lights. Luckily, with the best 5X5 grow tent, and not suffering high energy bills. You can grow herbs, vegetables, and spices with a grow tent without the need for a lawn or garden.
Fortunately, if you buy a complete grow tent kit, it comes with everything needed for farming. Another advantage of this growing equipment is that they are very portable to move with them anywhere. Check out the below reviews to know what the best grow tents entail.
Note that a grow tent represents a significant amount of investment. That is why some indoor gardeners ask if these kits are worth the money. Think of it this way — excessive heat and weather changes are the most common problems in gardening.
The outdoor temperature can sometimes spell the difference between having a successful home garden or not. A garden in itself represents money, time, and effort spent raising crops. A grow tent, therefore, is a piece of equipment that you can use to increase your chances of success since you have plenty of control over growing conditions.
In the long run, grow tents can help you get the highest yield from your plants. With enough effort and experience, you get consistent results.
This type of enclosure provides ample protection from the sun and wind. It also helps you control the amount of wastewater generated by your garden. This will also help save you money. You don’t waste fertilizer and other nutrients since there is very little chance of runoffs.
As stated earlier, grow tents come with a reflective Mylar interior coating. It reduces the amount of lighting you need to supply to your plants, a cost saving feature when growing plants indoors. With this setup, plants get the right amount of light they need from every possible angle. That is the value you get from using this gardening enclosure.
ECO Farm 5'x5' Essential Grow Tent Kit — 600W LM301B Quantum Board
Features:
The ECO Farm grow tent kit contains a 600W ECO Farm LED quantum board with full-spectrum (380nm-800nm, 3000K, 5000K), red light 660nm, and IR 750nm design, providing everything needed by plants under natural sunlight, and promoting photosynthesis by stimulating photosynthesis Healthier and more balanced plant growth. The IP65 waterproof rating makes this plant light suitable for more planting environments, especially hydroponics, greenhouse cultivation, commercial cultivation projects, etc. You will be able to reduce the cost of horticultural lighting systems. The ECO Farm 60"x60"x80" planting tent has a stable structure, the outer layer is 600D Oxford cloth, the inner layer is 96% highly reflective waterproof diamond polyester film (enhanced reflective effect), and the external zipper design ensures safe use and easy installation. It also has multiple vents to accommodate fans and filters.
TopoGrow 60X60X80 LED Grow Tent Kits
Features:
The grow tent kit has a 600W LED Grow Light Actual power is 220W, High PPFD,the PPFD is 1316 μmol/m2/sec at the height of 18 inches, AC85~265V, it could be connected with HPS (not suggest), Patented unique design of reflector cups for higher light-gathering effect. High PAR value and Lux value than normal led grow light, reducing light and Par value loss. Grow Tent uses heavy duty 600D lightproof oxford cloth and white paint coated metal rods and Large heavy duty Zippers. 4" Ventilation Kit ensures effective Odor Control: Eliminate some of the most undesirable odors, pungent smell, and particulates from indoor grow tent, hydroponics grow room
TopoLite 60X60X80 Led Grow Tent Kit
Features:
Featuring a user-friendly “Full Spectrum” design, you can easily grow your plants in any growth cycle required like germination, seedling, veg, flower. Best Heat Dissipation for the Best Stability and Longest Lifetime The grow tent uses 1.5 inches coal-based activated carbon environmentally friendly materials and Carbon Layer Thickness. Durable Heavy-duty 600D lightproof oxford cloth and diameter 16MM white paint coated metal rods and Large heavy-duty Zippers. Rectangle vents with mesh for better ventilation and multiple vents for fan and filter output. 96% highly reflective diamond mylar (enhance the reflective effect). Widely Used: Perfect for your plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables to thrive in different seasons
The following are some of the key benefits and advantages that you can get out of using these grow closets:
Controlled environment
Odor control
Boosts photosynthesis
Saves you money
Noise control
Controlled Environment: you control the humidity and the temperature inside a grow tent. You also control the soil conditions and the number of nutrients that the plants will get. In effect, you are creating a biome that has the optimal growth requirements for a particular plant species you want to grow inside that tent.
Odor Control: some fertilizers and chemicals that people use to grow plants may give off certain odors. Those smells are things you don’t want to have inside your home. A grow tent allows gardeners to control these odors.
Boosts Photosynthesis: given the way these tents are set up, the reflective Mylar interior helps to boost photosynthesis. The plants will get quality lighting, which eliminates the weak stems and branches, and the yellowing of the lower leaves.
Saves You Money: Maintaining the proper growing conditions is more efficient and less costly when you have a smaller space, such as that in a tent. Compare the costs that you can incur if you try to do that for an entire room.
Noise Control: The best 5x5 grow tent models have good noise control.
This buying guide is essential as it can help clear the air and avoid confusion while looking for a reliable 5X5 grow tent. The following factors can give a brief overview regarding the various product in the market. After going through multiple elements, you can weigh which tents better solve your needs.
Fabric Construction
The most crucial aspect to check when picking grow tent is identifying the fabric or material making it. Tents with denser fabrics are more resistant to tearing and have high durability. For a better experience, it is recommendable you pick tents made of materials like oxford fabrics having over 600D density. The key point is ensuring the material can handle any climatic and environmental conditions, providing complete isolation of interiors.
Insulation and Isolation
The aim of investing in quality grow tents is to ensure that you keep the plants safe and healthy while they develop. Moreover, you should mind getting a grow tent that helps your plants stay in ideal conditions such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Whether you want a gorilla to grow tent 5X5 or any other, a reliable option should not allow in or out air, light, or temperature.
Reflectivity
The right grow tent should have an interior that is as reflective as possible, and for this case, nothing beats the mylar option. Using quality lining such as diamond-patterned with a 98% reflective rate means a single LED light is sufficient to cover the entire tent. There are few other mylars with a reflective rate of 90%- 95%, which is also enough for most gardeners.
Frame Material
Your tent will support large weights for a long time, depending on the material building the frames and connection adapters. When searching for frame materials, metal options such as steel and aluminum are the most recommendable. However, there are plastics like polypropylene that offer a good deal. Similarly, looking for easy-to-assemble models, look for one that uses an interlocking or adjustable design.
Size and Shape
Size and shape are very crucial factors that should influence the grow tent to buy. Suppose you want to grow small plants, no need to pay extra to buy a viable option. Picking a more petite option can help save some bucks. You may choose a grow tent with a rectangular or square-shaped base depending on your needs.
Ventilation Ports Design
The fundamental intent for grow tents is to prevent ins or outs of anything. However, plants will need fresh air to continue thriving healthy. Most quality tents usually have at least two or three vents, but mesh material must keep away crawlers. Considering handy and velcro system designs can mean an ideal, easy-to-use option.
Even though all the above-mentioned tents are quite remarkable and offer ample space for your indoor growing needs, we will recommend the ECO Farm 60”x60”x80” Grow Tent for you. Albeit a little heavier on the pockets than some tents, this tent offers multiple useful features along with high-quality assurance.
It uses only the best durable material in its construction, includes additional features like windows and tool organizer, and comes with a two-year warranty. Therefore, it is one of the best 5×5 grow tents in the market.
August 23, 2021
LEDs, being relatively new on the market, can be a bit difficult to pick through as far as reviews are concerned.
Specifically, when dealing with growing plants, some LED grow lights might come highly recommended for general growth but won’t cut it when aiming for high-yielding plants.
It takes research and experience to understand the differences between these products, so we’ve curated some of the best options available at this time.
Check them out and peruse the listings. We’ll talk about price, durability, light spectrum and other important considerations about UFO LED grow lights.
If this is your first time getting into the concept of grow rooms and the indoor greenhouse settings, likely, you wouldn’t know about grow lights. They are the light settings that mimic the functions of natural light. While the traditional grow lights are made with a square design, the UFO grow lights feature a more circular and UFO-like design and hence the name. They have a disc-shaped model that is ideal for setting up inside the grow rooms for better growth of the plants.
Well, both of them are at their way best at their functions. While the UFO grow lights are ideal for the smaller grow rooms, the traditional rectangular options are ideal for the larger grow rooms. So, if you are starting with hydroponic systems and the grow rooms, we’d suggest that you start with the UFO LED lights, especially because they are affordable as well.
Rapid LED Single 100W LED Grow Light
Features:
The Rapid LED is a no-frills LED grow light that works best in tiny grow spaces. Capable of providing100 watts out of the box, the Single 75W can provide the lighting requirements of grow areas of up to 3 square feet. The Single 100W uses a Samsung LM301B LED, assuring you of long durations before the LED deteriorates. The Single 100W is a plug-and-play fixture. Take it out of the box and hang it on your grow area. It also makes a good supplemental or corner light due to its size. If you want to expand the Single 100W’s features, you can add a dimmer control so you can adjust intensities. Just take it out of the box and hang it in your indoor grow space for ideal flowering spectrum coverage while maintaining money-saving efficacy.
Brand Rapid LED
Manufacturer Rapid LED
Item Weight 6.78 pounds
Product Dimensions 6.3 x 6.3 x 7.5 inches
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No
Assembled Height 7.5 inches
Assembled Length 6.3 inches
Assembled Width 6.3 inches
Assembled Diameter 16 centimeters
Style Classic
Color Black Heatsink
Material Aluminum
Special Features Runs cool
Switch Installation Type Hanging
Batteries Included? No
Batteries Required? No
Type of Bulb LED
Wattage 100 watts
Spectrum King 100W LED Grow Light
Features:
This Spectrum King grow light is nationwide compliant, with a water-resistant heatsink, suitable for wet and humid environments. The Mother’s Lil’ Helper Grow Light comes with 90-degree reflectors for better light distribution and is guaranteed to maintain 90% or better light output for 3 yrs with regular use. With rugged IP65 rated water-resistant housing, the Mother’s Lil Helper 100 LED Grow Light is perfect for wet and humid environments. Mother’s Lil Helper 100 LED Grow Light has 90-degree reflectors specially designed to spread light evenly. Replace your old T5 banks, CFLs and 250W CMH fixtures with these high-efficiency LED grow lights built for closets, tents and smaller grows. You can have beautiful healthy plants with just 100 watts of power!
Light Source — LED
Input Voltage — 110V-220V
Frequency Range — 50~60Hz
Power Consumption — 100W
Amperage Draw — 110V = 0.83A | 240V = 0.45A
Ideal Replacement — 2–4 Bulb T5 Units or 250W HPS Fixture
Lumens — 9,000–10,000
CCT — 4,000K
Lifespan →50,000 Hrs
Light Beam Angle — 90 Degree
Body Lens — Glass
Body Case Material — Die Cast Aluminum
Product Size –11.5″W x 11.5H” x 9.5″ D
Net Weight — 5 lbs
Suitable Distance Over Canopy 90° Reflector — Veg: 18″-24″ Flower: 10″-18″
Coverage Area Veg — Up to 4′ x 4′
Coverage Area Flower — Up to 2.5’ x 2.5’
Light Spectrum
The majority of growers prefer to stick to UFO LEDs that provide the most range of the light spectrum. The more complete the wavelengths, the better!
Full-spectrum grow lights are very versatile. They can well-support the needs of plants at any stage of growth.
There are also some UFO grow lights that are more light-specific. Such types of lamps may either contain red lights for flowering, or blue lights for vegging. Because of their limitations in spectral output, they are best used as supplementary light instead.
Heat Management
Grow lights are the number one contributor to heat in every grow space. Thus, you would want to choose a UFO LED that comes with an effective cooling system. This may include high-speed fans, aluminum heat sinks, vents, and others.
Heat management is very important for indoor gardens. Not only will it affect the lamp’s performance, but it will also bring all sorts of problems to your plants. So, make sure to consider this factor when buying UFO LEDs.
Energy consumption
LED lamps are best known to consume less energy than other conventional lamps. But, not all LED lamps are being created equal. Some bulbs might declare a low wattage right off the box, but end up consuming more in actuality.
So, take the time to do your research and see which products live up to their claims. If you already have them on hand, it is good as well to keep track of its actual power draw. This is one of the surest ways to check if the UFO LED you have chosen is truly energy-efficient.
Longevity
LEDs are one of the most long-lasting grow lights in the market. A UFO LED lamp has an average lifespan of 50,000 up to 100,000 under the right conditions. That is equivalent to about 5.7 to 11.4 in years.
That is such a long period of time!
Although, there are a lot of factors that can affect the bulb’s longevity too. External elements such as thermal and electrical stresses can negatively impact its integrity. Thus, increasing the chances of further shortening the lifetime.
Cost
Okay, this one is very subjective!
Cost may or may not be a deal-breaker for a grower. What’s affordable for you, may not be for some. In that regard, we will not mention any amount here.
What is important is that you should be able to determine your budget for UFO LED grow lights. Set a workable range of price points. From there, you can narrow down your options to what is only available for that given amount.
Although, it is good to note as well that expensive pricing doesn’t necessarily equate to the best product. We often used to think that good quality items come with premium prices. That may be true in yesteryears, but that’s no longer the case nowadays.
That is due to the fact that we have wider access to resources and technology at this period in time. Thus, it makes it easier for manufacturers to produce items that have competitive quality but at a lower price point.
So, just because it’s affordable, it doesn’t mean it is already cheaply made!
In that sense, try to look beyond what the price tag and marketing tell you. Rather, look into the quality itself of the grow light. Be it affordable or expensive, make sure to opt for UFO LEDs that give you the most value for your money.
When you have plants growing, such as in a large grow room, you should have the right resources to ensure the best results. To be specific, the best UFO LED grow light is perfect for grow rooms with many plants, and when you want to achieve a competitive edge over other growers. These lights are simple to install, and perfect for any type of plant you have in your grow room. The best part is that you can adjust the lights to suit a specific purpose.
August 21, 2021
Almost entire indoor growers understand how to regulate growing conditions when farming in a greenhouse, hydroponics farming, or at a growing space where it becomes pertinent to adjust conditions that plants love to grow. Similarly, the grow rooms and the grow tents are the best options that allow growers to create conditions that plants require for optimum growth. However, it becomes more advantageous for the hobbyist and new growers to adjust the internal environment in a small or a confined space such as a grow tent of a small or medium capacity.
The only challenge they face is the selection of a grow tent. This selection becomes easier if they understand the relation between the plant spacing and their square foot lighting needs that plants absorb using their canopy. Humidity and the temperature come next. Only after knowing the three basic requirements for growing indoors, it becomes much easier to decide the size of a grow tent that either they need two room grow tent or they could proceed with 2 in 1 grow tent option.
Normally when you grow Plants indoors, the process starts at germination. From germination it moves on to the seedling stage and then it begins to mature from being a seedling to a full-grown plant. All these are different stages of the plant’s life cycle and require different lighting conditions! Hence, growers need to grow them all separately as the same lighting condition cannot be used for these modes. A two room grow tent allows the growers to adjust different kinds of light setups for plants in different stages of their life cycle and they all can grow inside the same tent but in different ‘rooms’.
When plants are growing in vegetative mode, they need 16 hours of light per day.
When your plant is growing buds in flowering mode, it only needs 12 hours of light per day.
Because of these differences in light needs, it’s impossible to grow 2 plants in the same space. You must separate your veg plants from your flower plants.
So if you want to get quicker turn around times on your grow cycles and bump up your yields, you need to be able to have 1 section of your tent for flowering and a separate section for vegetative mode.
And in case you were wondering, I didn’t go with a 2 in 1 grow tent. I actually bought a separate grow tent so I can have 2 full grow operations happening at the same time.
One of the limits to a 2 in 1 grow tent is that the “2 in 1” area is much smaller than a normal tent. It’s basically only for the first 4 weeks of life when your plant is getting started in vegetative mode. After that, you’re expected to move it to the larger area of the tent.
VIVOSUN 2 in 1 Indoor Grow Tent
Features:
The VIVOSUN grow tent allows your plants a boosted growth during vegetative and flowering. The third room provides space for the propagation of seeds. That means a single grow tent meets the growth requirements during all stages. Canvas quality also supports the offered price for a durable and flexible fabric that supports strongly built metal poles made up of frivolous aluminum for holding the weight of canvas. Another common issue that often observes with grow tents is their complex assemblage, which VIVOSUN resolves with easy installation procedures that take hardly fifteen minutes to assemble and disassemble without using any professional tool kit. Quality SBS Zippers make it easy for the growers to use them freely without worrying as they are free to operate, easy running, and grips are strong enough to grasp in the fingers.
MARS HYDRO 2-in-1 Grow Tent 36'’x24'’x55'’ Grow Tents
Features:
The MARS HYDRO grow tent includes 2 small chambers(2'x1'), and 1 big main chamber(2'x2'). You can use the two smaller chambers to start seedlings and grow microgreens or clone, and use the larger chamber for Veg or flower. You only need one grow tent to grow for any stage in plants development from seed to harvest. It’s the best choice for small space perpetual growing. MARS HYDRO Indoor Grow Tent interior is made of diamond mylar which is highly reflective. MARS HYDRO 1680D canvas, being double stitched, is tear proof for perfect light locking. Mars Hydro’s grow tent keeps 100% lighting beams inside and helps your plant absorb more lights. EXTRA-THICK — No light leaks or rips at all. MARS HYDOR 2 in 1 grow tents are with sturdy frame, well made metal support poles, and strong durable zippers. You can zip smoothly.
There are four basic factors that you need to take care of before you decide which grow tent you are going to buy:
Canvas: How thick is the canvas is very important for you to know because if the canvas has thin walls — light will leak out, and the lights between the two ‘rooms’ of the tent will also start interfering in the growth of the plants. All grow tents listed in our list have the Oxford 600D canvas which is one of the best that you can get hold of!
Durability: Grow tents, and especially two room grow tents, need to be very durable because a lot of stuff such as grow lights, carbon filters, clip-on fans, etc. are hung upon them and they need to be able to carry all that weight without the risk of a collapse.
Size: The size of the grow tent is important. Growers must know how many plants they are going to grow and how much space will they be occupying. Based on that a grow tent needs to be decided which will accommodate all their plants. Growers also need to know that the ‘nursery’ chamber will occupy a portion of the overall size of the grow room!
Reflectiveness: The inner surface needs to be very reflective so that all the light bounces on to the plants. All the two room grow tents on our list are between 95 to 100% reflective which is a great stat for a grow tent.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our run-through of some of the best indoor grow tents available today. While their fundamental design is very similar, there’s plenty of variation too.
Consider what size will suit both your plants and your home. And check the specifications and warranty before making your final choice.
August 20, 2021
Year-round fresh produce sounds like an impossibility, but with the right light, you can grow and harvest almost anything you desire. Dabbling in various lights and how they can improve upon, or support, plant growth has recently become an interest of mine. Fresh herbs through the winter not only sound appetizing, but it also is a healthy alternative to dehydrated store-bought produce.
Plants only utilize specific parts of the light spectrum. When you understand the specific needs of your plant growth stages and when which light should be used, you’ll be harvesting your own fresh produce in no time. T5 grow lights are a fluorescent bulb choice that emits a very specific range of light wavelengths. Although there are many available choices in the current market, our top-rated picks are found below.
Fluorescent lighting is created through a chemical process of gases and mercury vapor interacting which produces an invisible UV light. This then illuminates the inside of a glass tube to produce a ‘white’ light that you can see. These glass bulbs are set within a ballast, a mechanism that stabilizes and interacts with your bulb to control the output of your lamp.
T5 grow lamps are considered an excellent alternative lighting source for your home to provide both additional lightings, as well as full-on artificial lighting to aide in plant health, growth, and reproduction. T5 lamps are a fluorescent lighting choice that measures ⅝” in diameter, and are smaller than their relative counterparts, making them a convenient, and lightweight choice for your growing purposes.
Despite being smaller than similar products, the T5 actually puts out a higher luminous flux, or light output, than larger choices- making it an efficient choice as well.
Everybody looks for something better than sophisticated products for the garden. So, times have changed now. Halide bulbs are no more a choice neither are the sodium lights because they are not that efficient in terms of energy usage and also give off less light than required.
T5 bulbs on the other hand are cheaper, more efficient, and give off higher yields as compared to any other bulbs. Also, they are installed with reflector hoods that increase the coverage to the maximum and increase results in terms of propagation and growth.
ECO Farm T5 24W Fluorescent Grow Light
Features:
The ECO Farm T5 grow light is a 4 tube, 4 feet system that has many various size counterparts that run in a similar manner in order to better meet the needs of a wider variety of growers. Smaller, as well as larger, units are available with no drop in quality performance. Each unit allows for total control of light intensity through a switch and comes with 6400k lamp outputs. Considered cool running, these units can be mounted both vertically and horizontally and can be placed within inches of your plants without fear of burning- which makes them an awesome choice for germination and seedling growth. Up to 3 units of this size can be daisy-chained together to create a larger grow footprint, and the durable reflective housing helps keep light energy focused on where you need it most.
Features:
Monios-L 2ft led grow light with a full spectrum between 380–800nm, is the professional sunlight replacement for indoor plants.The 60W ultra bright leds provide high PPFD ( photosynthetic photon flux density ), perfect for seedling, vegetative, and flowering cycles. 2900K color temperature makes light appear warm white, which is comfortable for your eyes. This grow light are suitable for planting or displaying plants in any indoor application, including plant grow tents, plant grow shelves, seedling cultivation, hydroponic rooms, basement, greenhouses, storehouse,etc. Equipped with High-quality LED chips aluminum housing, the light efficiency is increased by 20%,which can perfectly meet the light needs of great majority plants throughout the growth cycle,such as veggies/tomato/peppers/leafy greens.
California Lightworks SolarSystem UVB T5 Fluorescent Grow Light
Features:
The UVB bar is used as a supplemental grow light to support the primary horticulture LEDs. It is powered by T5 fluorescent bulbs that have a narrow diameter of 5/8", which makes them highly efficient. The light uses 24-watt power and helps improve the potency and resin development in plants. The UVB light is used during the last weeks or later stages of flowering. The UVB bar uses much less energy to enhance plant growth, chemical profiles, essential oils, and aromas in plants. The bulbs have a narrow diameter of 5/8" which assures high efficiency (the narrower it gets the better results it delivers). The bulbs are more efficient than HPS and MH grow lights. You can install up to 10 units from a single outlet.
Since T5 grow lights can be specifically offered in various temperature choices, it is important to realize that not all are created exactly the same. Your lower temperature bulbs will be more specific to mature growth and promotes higher rates of photosynthesis required to influence flowering and production. Higher temperatures provide more light found within the blue range and provide a steady coverage for plants to use for leafing out and growing upwards. Knowing what your needs are prior to investing in your lights is an important step in your plants health.
T5 lights are more specific to the blue range of the light spectrum, so therefore they are better used for getting seedlings started and to support plant growth through vegetative maturity stages. Those bulbs that lean towards the cooler wavelengths are great choices to maintain plant health when flowering and production are not needed.
The great thing about T5 fluorescents is how much coverage they provide. When combined with a lighting system that uses reflective barriers, you can get quite a bit of square footage out of a single setup. You don’t want to short-change your crops, however, so it is important to take note of how much coverage you can get from your choices depending on what stages of growth they are in.
Producing plants are not going to receive enough of the correct lightwaves from a T5 for maximum harvest prior to this stage of growth. However, they do support plants up until this point. If you are simply looking for a good supplemental light for your household plants that are non-productive, these also are a good choice.
T5 fluorescent lighting is an excellent choice for your vegetative plant growth stages, and in some cases, even for support of bloom and production with the correct lamp choices. Your lighting needs may be a mixed bag at times depending on what you are attempting to grow and what stages of growth your plants are within. Because of this, choosing a light you can get the most out of can be a definite advantage. Our favorite versatile choice is the ECO Farm T5 High Output Fluorescent Grow Light due to the bulb compatibility which makes them easier to use with a wider range of plant growth, as well as the awesome 120 degree range of light for more evenly distributed light coverage.
August 19, 2021
If you are looking to start out with indoor growing (or growing cannabis in particular), you may be in the market for the best LED grow lights to produce the best results possible. It is important to realize that not all LED grow lights are created equally and while they share a common name, they do not necessarily function to get the job done which you require.
It can be a little overwhelming when you are trying to decide which LED lights are the best since there are so many choices, however, this guide will walk you through key features to look for and give reviews on some of the best LED grow lights available, so you can be better informed when deciding.
You need a certain amount of light for uniform, stable, and fast plant growth. The wattage of the bulbs is indicated in watts. The more watts, the more light the lamp has. You need to know what wattage LED bulbs require to grow your plants. Experienced gardeners state that 30 to 50 watts of power per square foot of area is required.
At the initial stage of growing seedlings, you should place Phyto-lighting at a distance of 15–30 cm from the seedling. As the plant grows, the light source should be raised to a similar height, which you can achieve easily due to an adjustable mount. The seedlings should be in resting and lighting modes for an equal period of time.
ECO Farm ECOM Bluspec 650W LED Grow Light with Samsung LM301B and OSRAM Chip
Features:
The ECO Farm LED Grow Light delivers growers and indoor gardeners the ability to stimulate pre-visibility, boost yields and increase quality all season long. The grow light utilizes all highest-quality, High-Efficiency Samsung, Osram LEDs. The light intensity is higher, the light attenuation is smaller, and the lumen and PAR values are better than ordinary LED. It enables you to obtain a 30% higher output than HPS. The best active heat management in the industry, crucial to maximizing LED life, efficiency, and spectrum stability
Largest heat sink among LED grow lights for superior cooling and increased LED life,ultra-efficient LEDs 70,000+ hour rated lifespan. This durably constructed LED grow light has 8 bar technology to deliver smooth, even light over the canopy. Remotely mounted driver technology allows for quicker and more efficient heat dissipation. In addition, the plant grow light uses an advanced waterproof power supply, installed in The outside of the lamp is easy to replace. This kind of growth lamp is a full-period lighting solution suitable for all growth environments (including humid environments), and is an ideal choice for greenhouse or indoor lighting.
Spectrum: 3000K+6500K+660nm+460–470nm+ 450nm
LED Chips:
LM301B 3000K 6500K 279pcs x8
OSRAM 660nm 12pcs x8
Osram 470nm 2pcs x8
Osram 450nm 1pcsx8
LEDs: 2352 Total LEDs
Efficacy:2.7umol/J @277AC
AC Input Power:650W @120V AC 630W@277V
PPF:1715 umol/s
Grams Per Watt: up to 2.0
Lifetime: >50,000
Fixture Dimensions: 113*110*4 CM
Weight: 15kg
Coverage Footprint:
Veg: 4' x 4' area (Up to 7' x 7' area)
Flower: 4' x 4' area (1.2m x 1.2m)
Max: 5' x 5' area (1.5m x 1.5m)
Hanging Height : Flower: 6"-24"
Warranty : 5-year standard warranty
Recommended for: Grow Tents, Grow Rooms, Commercial Grows.
Mars Hydro FC 6500-H Commercial Grow Light Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights
Features:
The Mars Hydro LED grow light with 2688pcs Samsung LM301B & Osram 660nm Diodes, boasts the market-leading efficiency of 2.8 µmol/J, Max 2.5g yield per wattage with 30% higher Average PPFD, achieve 50% higher yield & quality compared with the old lights! Only consumes 650w perfect light for 4x4ft flowering. It is perfect as commercial LED grow lights, FC6500 dimmable grow lamp with daisy chain, up to 15 lights connected, master light controlled offers great convenience to your planting! IP65 Waterproof wide 8-bar offers even & broad canopy coverage, maximizes grow space, flexible 180-degree design, ideal for home & vertical farming. 8 passive-cooled bars, aluminum heat-sink, fanless zero noise design, equipped with dismountable finest quality Inventronics Driver, equals unmatched performance in heat dispersing & lifespan.
High PPF: 2.85 umol/J
Up to 2.5 g/W
DLC, UKCA, ROHS & ETL listed
Samsung LM301H & Osram 660nm LEDs
50% higher PPFD compared to HID lamps
Balanced, full-spectrum light output
50% lower power consumption compared to HID lamps
8 passively-cooled bars provide broad coverage for full-cycle growth
Dimmable
Removable Moso driver
5-year Manufacturer’s warranty
IP65 waterproof
Here is a list of the important factors that you should consider when getting a LED grow light for your indoor garden:
This is important to keep in mind as a light output that is too low or too high can drastically affect your plants. In other words, if they receive too little or too much light, it could end up making them not grow correctly. Because of this, make sure to pay attention to the light output of an LED fixture.
Energy efficiency and actual wattage
The energy efficiency will be determined by the wattage of the light you will choose. The wattage is directly proportional to the amount of energy to be consumed. Therefore, the lower the wattage, the lower is the amount of energy that it consumes. During the vegetative stage of growth, plants don’t need as much light as they do during flowering. A fixture that lets you turn off LEDs or dial back and customize their intensity when they are not needed will save you money in electricity costs.
Color
If you are thinking that colored LED lights serve as a decoration or to make your garden fancier, think again. The colors of your LED grow lights actually serves a deeper purpose. The color of the light dictates the wavelength that it produces, measured in nanometers. This defines the spectrum of the light. During the vegetative phase, blue light is more beneficial. Meanwhile, red light is needed during the flowering stage. You can either choose to be Pro white light or pro colored light. Growers consider one advantage of white lights. It is that the white light is very similar to sunlight or natural light. Also, your plants look natural under white light, so it is much easier to inspect them and to notice any discolorations, and other problems. Inspecting your plant can be quite difficult under pink light.
Coverage
Coverage is an important consideration, especially for large and wide indoor gardens. You have to make sure that every plant gets the right amount of light. Also, make sure that the light generated can cover the entire garden area. Otherwise, if some plants are not reached and could not get enough light, they won’t be able to maximize the benefits of having LED grow lights.
Cooling System
When used extensively or for a long period of time, LED grow lights can be prone to overheating. That is why an efficient cooling system is necessary. It is important to have cooling fans to provide ventilation in order to prevent too much heat. Having a good cooling system prolongs the life of your LED grow lights while also ensuring the health of the plant.
A good cooling system also prevents overheating. This will not only prevent your LED light from becoming damaged but helps keep your plants safe from burning.
Spectrum
Lights that have a customizable spectrum feature, give you complete and full control. The advantage of this is a lower electricity bill. Plants don’t need as much light during vegging as they do during flowering and they need even less during cloning. Being able to dial back the number of lights means you use less power. A downside of this is that switching modes on an LED light will not cause an overly long period of stalled growth, but you can count on a few days’ delays. They can also be a bit confusing to operate for some. LED lights with only one mode are obviously much easier to operate.
Even if you are confident that you have the best and greatest grow lights. It is still very important that you take care of them. Still, proper care and maintenance should be given. Maintaining and taking care of your LED grow lights is important. As it will be vital in maximizing its performance and prolonging its lifespan and service.
Some of the most important things to keep in mind:
Make sure that the LED grow lights are properly installed, excellently wired, and connected. Pay attention to wirings and get the proper electrical materials. This will not only be beneficial for your cannabis but for your safety as well.
Keep your grow lights squeaky clean. Use a glass cleaner to keep it clean and in perfect condition. Before doing this, however, make sure that the light is turned off and unplugged for your safety.
Make it a habit to wipe the lights or dust them off. Accumulation of dust on the surface can affect the intensity of the light emitted. And it might affect the growth and development of your cannabis in the long run.
The right position and location of the LED grow lights will also be a critical concern. Place it in a room where there is not too much moisture.
LED lights are a great addition to add to your growing space for a variety of reasons. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they work quickly at helping your plants to grow.
You can easily start an indoor garden with one or two lights if you want to keep it simple. This guide is designed to help beginners all the way to advanced growers in finding the best LED grow light for their own specific needs and plants. If you lookout for the key features outlined here, you will be sure to find the most suitable LED grow light for your indoor growing experience. Hopefully, you have found answers to your questions about LED grow lights and learned a little about the installation process as well. Please feel free to leave a comment or question, we always enjoy our reader's feedback.
August 18, 2021
If you live in a particular area of the world where your winters are harsh and the overall climate is not suitable for growing seedlings, then you shouldn’t rush your decision when looking for the best grow lights for seedlings. While buying a grow light is a great way to speed up the growth of your plants and create a controlled environment for them in your home.
Fluorescent lights emit more heat than LED lights, and because of this, you should position them approximately 12 inches away from your seedlings. For LED lights, this distance decreases to 6 inches since they emit less heat than fluorescent lights and are much more energy-efficient. This is just a rough guide, and it’s always good to check and adjust your lighting positioning as your seedlings develop over time. Another factor that may influence how far away you position your grow lights from your seedlings is the type of plant you are growing. You might need to place it either higher or lower, so it’s best to keep this in mind as well.
For the most part, grow lights are resistant to moisture, but you will want to pick carefully if you need an option for a room with a higher humidity level or a hydroponic harden. Some grow lights, come with an IP66 rating, which certifies the product as both water and corrosion-resistant. It’s natural and necessary for you to spray your seedlings with water to speed up their growth, and this moisture resistance can help you avoid any problems with your product.
VIVOSUN VS2000 Samsung LM301H Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
Features:
VIVOSUN LED grow lights use the latest LED plant light technology including Samsung LM301H Diodes, high-energy efficiency with 2.9 umol/J; Extremely high output but consumes only 200W of electricity, making it more efficient than traditional HID lamps and other plant lamps on the market. This LED grow light has a dimming knob that makes it adaptable to different growing periods of your plant by adjusting its output from 40% to 100%; It is super convenient for both beginners and professional growers. These VS2000 full-spectrum LEDs deliver optimal full-spectrum coverage — offering power needed by your plants at all growth stages and maximum PAR output at various distances, supporting photosynthesis of your plants in an efficient way
Features:
The hortiONE LED continues to perform 190 watts, but now has an increased proportion of far-red spectrum. It can now also be dimmed with an external dimmer (not included). The strain relief has been improved, a waterproof DC connector has been installed, and the platinum design has been refined and streamlined. The hortiONE is thus ideal for compact grow boxes. The HortiONE 592 V2 LED is equipped with a combination of highly efficient mid-power and high-power LEDs. This hybrid design of the hortiOne ensures vigorous growth and high-yield flowering for your indoor growth. You can also use this plant light well for cuttings propagation. The perfect ratio (1/10) of Hyper-Red (660nm) to Far-Red (760nm) can effectively increase the photosynthesis rate by contributing to the Emmerson effect (enhancement effect).
PICK YOUR PLANTS AND CROPS
Before you buy a grow light, you must first determine the type of plants and crops you wish to grow. Decide on the kind of plants and how much of them you wish to grow. This way, you will also get an idea of how much light you need.
The type of plants you choose will also affect the other factors for choosing a grow light. Moreover, it will have an impact on the light’s intensity, spectrum, and coverage. It will set the direction toward the right light bulb to choose from.
Also, certain plants benefit the most from grow lights, especially during winter. For starters, succulents like aloe vera, jade plants, snake plants, and cactus love the sun and its brightness.
In the same way, orchids also love to get a lot of light. Ideally, they need about 10 hours of light per day. This should go alongside proper indoor temperature and humidity.
MIND YOUR BUDGET
Another factor to consider when buying a grow light for sale is your budget. The key is to set a budget before you begin your search. This way, you already know your limits and avoid options that will hurt your pockets.
You also want to consider the amount of light in relation to the energy costs you are willing to pay. In this case, the wattage of the lights will matter a lot. Thus, keep in mind that you need to turn on your grow lights for about 12 hours a day.
THE INTENSITY MATTERS
The intensity of the grow light is also another factor to consider. This pertains to the amount of light that reaches your plants from the light fixture. Hence, the higher the intensity, the farther you can position it away from the plants.
This is important since you don’t want the light to be too close to the plants. This poses the risk of burning the plants because of the light’s heat.
Ideally, it is best to go for a grow light with a low photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). This is the measurement that determines the average density of the fixture’s output.
THE SPECTRUM COUNTS
You also need to decide on the right spectrum for your plants. The spectrum pertains to the different bands of colors where light comes from. Interestingly, most plants benefit from the spectrum’s blue and red ends.
Moreover, they use a little bit of green and yellow too. To break down the spectrum even further, plants in their vegetative stages need blue light to build their roots and leaves. As they reach their fruit-bearing phase, red light is what they need.
When it comes to grow light options, they come in two types, namely, targeted spectrum and full spectrum. Targeted spectrum grow lights only emit specific colors like blue or red. On the other hand, full spectrum grow lights emit light that is akin to natural sunlight, which covers different stages of plant growth.
If you’re going for targeted spectrum lights, pick one that comes with the option to change the color of the light.
AMPLE COVERAGE IS A MUST
As your plants need to get the right amount of light, you need to ensure that they’re getting ample light coverage. Otherwise, it will affect the health and condition of your plants. When we talk of coverage, the more grow light fixtures you buy, the more coverage your plants get.
Also, you consider the ideal recommendation of 20 to 40 watts of coverage per square foot as a guide. To compute for the lowest coverage per square foot your light bulb offers, divide its wattage by 20. To get the highest possible coverage, divide the wattage by 40.
CHECK THE HEIGHT AND MOBILITY
Lastly, you want to consider the distance of your grow lights from your plants. In this case, you want something that offers mobility in terms of adjusting the height.
When your plants are still sprouts, you want your lights to sit lower. As they grow and mature, you should adjust the lights to a higher level.
GROW LIGHTS VS REGULAR LIGHT FIXTURES: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Another important question is, does it matter if they use regular light fixtures? What are the key features of grow lights that regular lighting options do not offer?
Firstly, the heat emission coming from regular lights can burn the plants. On the other hand, the heat coming from grow lights is just right to help the plants grow.
Another difference is power intensity. Grow lights generate more power compared to regular lights. In turn, it increases the rate of photosynthesis necessary for plant growth.
When it comes to the price, LED grow lights can be more expensive than regular lights. Nevertheless, it is the impact on the plants that you should look at.
Many more people are choosing to bring their plants indoors these days, which has resulted in a huge choice of grow light options available. Here are some final points to consider:
Opting for LED grow lights will assure your lights do not overheat and cause damage to your tender plants
You’ll need a wide-angle to allow for both even lighting on your plants and indirect lighting
You will need to be aware of energy efficiency, choosing products that won’t be too expensive to run for at least 6 hours per day, and those which have a greater life expectancy
Obviously, the final decision is up to you.
August 17, 2021 1 Comment
For many plant growers, high-intensity discharge (HID) lights are the gold standard. They are more efficient than many other light bulbs and they crank out tons of super-powerful light. Generally speaking, HID lights do an excellent job of replicating the sun’s natural light. Here are the best HID lights for growing plants.
HID grow lights (both HPS and MH) are made of a quartz container, which is filled up with high-pressure gas. A starter ignites an electrical spark between the electrodes and produces an ionized gas which generates light.
The HPS and MH grow light work best in the various different plant growth stages. Therefore, for optimum growing results, you will need to use both MH and HPS bulbs. The best HID grow lights allow you to use both MH and HPS light bulbs.
MH: MH bulbs have a blueish light that works best during vegging.
HPS: HPS bulbs emit colors in the orange, yellow, and red lighting spectrum. Yellow, red, and orange lighting work well during the flowering growth stage.
Mercury-HPS and MH bulbs both contain a small amount of the hazardous substance, mercury. If the bulb is not broken, the mercury should not be of any concern. However, it can become a hazard and a pain to clean up if a light is accidentally broken. Also, disposing of MH and HPS bulbs can also be a hassle.
Other than the HID lamp itself, the following are needed for HID growing lights
Ballast: The ballast allows an HID light to function with currents that are normally used in a typical household. Some of the ballasts that you may see are digital dimmable, ballasts that only work with either MH or HPS bulbs, or ballasts that work with HID light bulbs.
Reflector: reflectors are a cover over the HID lights, which are used to direct the lights over your plants.
Gavita SL2 1000e DE 208–240 Volt W150 HID Grow Lights
Features:
The Gavita grow light features the W150 Reflector, which has a widespread for optimal uniformity (150° beam angle). This reflector is best suited to overlapping plans. The SL2 features highly efficient passive ballast cooling that helps contribute to long fixture life. Other features include sealed housing with a Gore-Tex® ventilation plug and controllable output up to 1150 W. The SL2 is also equipped with a Repeater Bus interface. This double-port connection enables control of the SL2 with a Gavita EL Controller (sold separately). Connect up to 100 fixtures in a single daisy chain series, up to five daisy chains per EL controller output. A single EL controller output can control up to five 100-fixture daisy chains, giving you room to grow.
SunStream 1000 Watt DE Double Ended HID Grow Light Kit
Features:
This DE fixture is certified by ETL. The Sunstream grow light is subject to strict inspection standards, high-quality German materials and superb manufacturing processes to ensure the durability and safety of the HPS system. This complete fixture includes a built-in 120v/240v 1000w adjustable high-frequency ballast for running double-ended lamps. This ballast was designed with dimming features that could match different wattage lamps on the same ballast. When the grow HPS system is at a dangerous input or output voltage, the protection mechanism is activated, and the machine is automatically stopped to avoid damage to the machine or pose a threat to the human body.
Before we reveal the different grow lights for plants, there are quite a few factors to consider. Therefore, we condense them into a handful of handy categories below.
Сost
First thing’s first; what is your budget? If it is under $100, you can still find something. However, you won’t get anywhere near the yield of what a $1,000+ high-quality LED system provides, for instance. Also, bear in mind that you need different lighting for the various stages of the grow cycle.
It is best to calculate how many plants you need each year. MMJ patients and regular recreational users are best served to make a one-off investment in decent standard lights. Also, the more harvests you intend to have, the quicker you ‘pay off the cost of lights. If you only plan to grow plants occasionally, HIDs may fit the bill because of their cheaper initial cost.
Ventilation
Certain lights run significantly hotter than others. HIDs, for instance, run extremely hot and need an air conditioning unit. Otherwise, the temperature of your grow room could become excessive and harm your plant’s growth. Please note this is an extra expense to add to the ‘cheaper’ HID setup.
Space
How big is your grow room going to be? If you don’t have much space, you should steer clear of ‘hot’ lights, or else the room’s temperature will increase rapidly. You also won’t have enough space to install an AC unit.
Safety
Check your breaker board to ensure there are plenty of outlets and enough power to handle your lighting easily. Next, go through your full list of equipment to determine its power usage. If you don’t have enough power capacity, the risk of electrical fires increases markedly.
Growth Cycle Stage
The lighting required by plants varies according to their stage in the growth cycle. Young plants require a different light spectrum from their mature counterparts. For example, Metal Halide lights are associated with plants in the vegetative stage. In contrast, HPS lighting is frequently used in the blooming phase.
When growing plants indoors, you have to decide what takes top priority. Do you care about your energy bills, the environment, secrecy, or efficiency?
If you’re looking for discretion, LED grow lights and fluorescent grow lights are the likeliest options. However, if you’re after efficiency, HID is probably the best grow light for plants available. That is, as long as you don’t mind the increase in your electricity bill.
Then again, if you have a grow space of less than five square feet, fluorescent light is enough when your plants are small. You can upgrade to a 250W HPS as the plants get larger. If you have space, an MH light for plants in the vegetative stage and HPS for the blooming phase works well. Using MH lighting throughout is fine but will have fewer flowers, more foliage, and a lower yield.
Different options work best for different solutions, so pick the one that’s right for you and work to its advantage. Once you have selected the right light for your needs, you can start the growing plants. After choosing the soil type, your fertilizer preferences, and a few other things, of course!
August 16, 2021
If you have gotten yourself a nice little grow tent for growing a few plants, you are off to a very good start. However, the grow tent is not all you will need here. Plants require some airflow to grow properly, and you need to supply them with a decent breeze if you expect them to turn outright.
In other words, you need to get yourself a good little fan (we recommend this one) that can easily fit inside of a grow tent, is easy to clip onto the poles or hangers and has an adjustable head so you can direct the airflow as you see fit.
Yet, finding the right fan for your grow tent is easier said than done, especially seeing as there are so many different options out. This is what we are here for today, to help you find the best clip fan for grow tents.
Obviously, you need a substitute for natural airflow while growing plants indoors. Furthermore, plants quickly absorb the carbon dioxide from the surrounding, even within a minute.
That’s why it’s essential to set up wall mount fans indoors to circulate and distribute active air around the grow tent. This way, your plants won’t breathe stagnant or poor-quality air, which often leads to plant illness and humidity.
To sum up, the best fan for a grow tent serves a multi-purpose role, allowing the plants to breathe better and improve plant growth. Furthermore, it enhances nutrient absorption from the soil, strengthens the plant’s branches, and grows thick flowers in the flowering period.
Maintains Internal Temperature
A grow tent includes different equipment, such as grow lights, a watering system in addition to the fans. Grow lights radiate heat as a substitute for the sunlight, enhancing the internal temperature of the grow tent. That’s why a grow room fan regulates the internal temperature without making the plants feel hot.
Controls Moisture and Humidity
As we all know, plants evaporate moisture through the leaves’ surfaces all day long. A wall mount fan removes the moisture and allows the plants to absorb more water from the soil. This way, it enhances the moisture level of the grow room, resulting in pests and disease growth.
Wind Stress Management
The outdoor plants enjoy a fresh breeze and active air, making the stems stronger to bear more fruit than weaker plants that can’t hold the fruit weight. A grow room fan is the best alternative to the outdoor air, making indoor plants equally stronger.
ECO Farm 6 Inch Clip Oscillating Fan Fit for Grow Tent with 3-Speed Control
Features:
The 6 inch ECO Farm Classic Clip Fan is portable comfort that easily mounts wherever it’s needed to provide quality airflow with reliable performance, ideal for homes, greenhouses, garages, gyms, and workshops, and more. The versatile mounting position puts the fan wherever it’s needed, fan features an adjustable tilt mechanism that changes the fan’s positioning and direction. The quiet, powerful motor allows you to adjust for optimal airflow and comfort in three choices of modes. Features a durable fan grill and strong steel neck support, mounting bracket, and power cord included. If you are looking for a fan that will last for years and not break on you… that also moves a massive volume of air, and you have a decent budget, this is your guy!
VIVOSUN 6 inches Portable Desk Clip On Fan
Features:
This fan clamps firmly onto grow tent poles or the edge of the table for the quick and easy ventilation boost you need. Heat Emission Hole can keep the motor cool for quiet and long operation. As a table fan, it can be used as an oscillating fan that is directly on a flat surface such as a desktop. As a wall fan, please knock screw nails vertical into the wall and hanging clip seat back into the hold and lock can hang.
As a clip fan, it can be a clip from the edge of the table, chair, and bed. The best thickness is 20–25mm. You can adjust the fan direction by turning around the head. You can clip on your tent’s pole. It circulates the air, keeping a fresh breeze as well as reducing humidity levels. Fan also adds ventilation and prevents the inhalation of dangerous gases and fumes.
So, you don’t want to just go out and buy the first little clip fan you see, because it probably won’t turn out too well.
Before you buy a grow tent clip fan to keep your plants in prime condition, there are a few purchasing factors that you absolutely need to keep in mind.
1. Variable Speeds
One very important thing to pay attention to when buying a clip fan for your grow tent is how many speeds it has. Generally speaking, you do want the fan in question to have at least 2 speeds.
It is useful because sometimes you might need a bit more or less airflow, depending on the humidity and temperature conditions in there.
The fan does not need to have an excessive amount of power, but it should be adjustable in terms of speed.
2. Adjustable Head
Another important thing that you need to keep in mind before buying a clip on fan for your grow tent is whether or not it has an adjustable head.
You definitely do not want to get a clip fan where the head is stationary and cannot be adjusted, which is true for both horizontal and vertical adjustments.
Simply put, sometimes you might need to direct the airflow up, down, left, right, or in whatever direction you see fit for any given day.
You need a fan where the fan head can be adjusted for direction, and the more adjustable it is, the better.
3. A Strong & Adjustable Clamp
Another super important purchasing factor to look out for here is what the clamp or clip itself is like. Remember folks, you will be clipping these fans onto either a horizontal or vertical pole, and poles are round.
This means that the air fan in question needs to have a clip that clamps down very tight, and preferable one that has small rubber pads too.
You don’t want a fan that is going to move around and slide down the poles, or else you will constantly have to readjust and reposition the fan, which is not fun when you are trying to grow some good plants.
4. Oscillation
As mentioned above, good airflow is very important for any grow room and grow tent, but there is often the problem that you may need more than one fan to create adequate airflow.
Simply put, you do not want the fan only blowing air in the single same direction all of the time.
This is why it is good to get a clip fan with an oscillating feature because this way you can spread the air around and create decent airflow all throughout the grow tent, instead of just beaming air in one direction the whole time.
It’s just better for your plants to spread it out a bit.
5. Power Source
One thing which causes problems for many people when it comes to their grow tent clip fans is how they are powered.
Yes, there are USB models, battery-powered models, and corded models too. When it comes down to it, you really do want a corded clip fan for your grow tent.
Having a power cord might not seem ideal at first, but this way you never have to worry about batteries dying, and when your fan dies, it can be really bad for your plants.
Having a corded, or even a USB fan with a long USB cable, eliminates the need to always check on the battery life of the fan in question.
6. Size
As you may have noticed from the products we reviewed here today, we stuck with fairly small fans.
For one, do keep in mind that you will probably have limited space in your grow tent. Most of that space should be reserved for plants and other essential grow equipment, so in all reality, the smaller the fan the better.
You just don’t want it to take up that much space. Furthermore, a big fan is a heavy fan, and a heavy fan is going to have problems staying securely mounted in your grow tent, and you definitely don’t want it falling down on your plants.
Air is equally essential to humans and plants since we both are living beings. Proper ventilation allows you to take complete control of the growing conditions all year round.
Whether you opt for an inline or a wall fan, the end goal is the same — to keep the plants fresh and increase production in the grow tent.
August 14, 2021
Many growers misunderstand ultraviolet light. They think that it will always hurt their plants. Or, they think that only UV-B is helpful in increasing the medicinal quality of plants. Both those statements are untrue. In this article, we’d like to tell you four reasons you should be growing with UV-A.
UV is electromagnetic radiation just beyond visible light in energy but lower in energy than x-rays. They range from 400 nm to 10 nm (which is a greater wavelength diversity than visible light, ranging from 400 to 700 nm). For plants, there are two relevant types of UV: UV-A and UV-B. UV-A is the lowest energy UV and ranges from 400 nm to 315 nm. UV-B is higher energy than UV-A and ranges from 315 nm to 280 nm. At sea level near the equator, 6% of solar radiation is UV — 5.7% is UV-A and 0.3% is UV-B. Depending on latitude, elevation, and time of year, plants receive 10 to 100 times more UV-A than UV-B. Higher energy UV light, such as UV-C, is filtered out by our atmosphere and doesn’t reach Earth’s surface. (And thank goodness! UV-C is quite dangerous to live organisms.)
UV light is highly energetic, so it can cause damage to living tissues.
Around 3% of sunlight is UV light, so most plants are exposed to UV radiation in their natural habitats.
To shield themselves from the harmful effects of UV lights, plants will activate specific processes and produce certain molecules that have protective functions, such as repairing damage or absorbing UV light.
For indoor plant growers, these processes and molecules are useful in improving the quality and yield of plants.
UV light is a range of wavelengths stretching between 100 to 400 nm. This range is divided into smaller wavelength ranges (UVA, UVB, and UVC). In indoor gardening, UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm) are mainly used.
There’s a lot of debate going on about whether UVA or UVB is better for plants.
Atreum Lighting UVA Light Bar, 30W (2-FT)
Features:
The Atreum Light Bar provides 30W of 385nm UVA supplementation in a compact and easy-to-use package. The light is basically a 24-inch-long LED bar that contains 385nm diodes (in the range of UVA light). The device draws around 30 watts of power only, so it won’t cost you a lot of energy. It’s also waterproof, so it’s great for humid growing environments. The grow light is very affordable taking into account that UV lights are usually expensive. Although this is UVA light, take the necessary precautions and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines while using HLG 30 UVA supplement in your growing environment.
TotalGrow UVA Bar 30W LED Grow Light Bar
Features:
TotalGrow light bar is another great UVA light for plants. The UVA grow light is monochromatic with a spectrum of 385 nm (high UVA). TotalGrow UVA bar has a UVA output of around 40 µmol/s, and it can cover a 2’ x 4’ (0.6m x 1.2m) growing space. It draws around 30 watts, so it has an efficiency rate of around 1.3 μmol/J. The minimum recommended hanging height for this light is 24 inches. TotalGrow UVA is waterproof and has a daisy chain feature that allows you to connect up to 24 to 48 units together (depending on the voltage). The light has a 30,000 lifespan and comes with a 3 years warranty.
The effects of UV light on plants is a highly investigated topic with research spanning decades. Why is there so much research on this topic? Greenhouses primarily. Agriculture within greenhouses is a multi-billion dollar industry and most greenhouses are UV deficient because the most common material that covers greenhouses block UV, such as glass or polycarbonate.
Much of the initial studies on the effects of UV confused the subject. These studies only used parts of plants — chloroplasts or thylakoids — and not whole leaves or by tracking a plant's growth over time. These incomplete studies wrongly gave UV a reputation that it didn’t deserve and underestimated the ingenuity of plants that have become highly adapted to UV. Below is a sampling of research that tells the complex, multifaceted, and often species dependent responses to UV
Analogously to how little bit of UV can be good for humans since it helps us produce Vitamin D, so plants also respond to low dose UV by producing antioxidant compounds like flavonoids and phenolic compounds (incidentally, these compounds give fruit and vegetables their vibrant purple, red, and blue colors). Luckily for us, it just so happens that many of these compounds are powerful antioxidants and are very healthy to eat. Flavonoids have been highly correlated with living longer, weighing less, having a healthier heart, lowering cancer rates, and avoiding neurodegenerative disease. Other phenolic compounds play important roles in cancer prevention and treatment.
UV light is harmful to humans. It can cause skin damage and cancers. You should use UV lights in an enclosed growing space and wear protective material while working around or under them.
Exposing your plants to UV light for long periods can harm them. For this reason, you need to keep it on for few hours a day only. Stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations to know how long you should keep the light on each day.
Keep enough distance between your plants and the light to avoid damaging them.
Don’t use any UV light for your plants. Some UV lights can be very intense, and they can destroy your growth.
UV lights can help you improve your growth and yield.
However, you need to know how to use them properly, or else you could damage your plants.
Always follow the recommendations by the manufacturer and do your own research before using UV grow lights.
You can also test your UV lights with different plants before using them with your main crop.
And finally, we cannot overemphasize the importance of taking the necessary precautions while working around these lights.
Happy growing.
August 13, 2021
As you probably know, light plays an important role in aiding plant's growth. Plants grown outdoor will depend on sunlight in order to grow. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot grow plants indoors. The best LED grow lights will allow the indoor plants to get the necessary light for photosynthesis. With these grow lights, you can now grow flowers, herbs as well as any other plant indoors. Unlike the traditional models, these LED grow lights are more efficient and long-lasting.
1.PPFD Value: PPFD is Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density. When you choose a plant light, you should compare the PPFD values of different plant lights. The larger the value, the better the growth of the plant.
2.Actual Power: Because the actual power of the plant light always varies with different conditions, all sellers use the rated power to describe the power of the product because the rated power is constant. When you pick a LED grow light, the rated power of the plant light is a reference, and more importantly, is the actual power.
3.Core Coverage: In addition to the above two, when you choose a plant light, you also need to compare the cover area of different plant lights, of course, the size of the core coverage area. In general, in the germination stage, you can hang the plant light higher and the coverage area is larger. In the flowering stage, you can hang the plant light lower and the coverage area is smaller because the plant needs more light at this stage. You have to compare different coverage areas to choose the plant light that suits you.
ECO Farm 80W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Strip LED Bar
Features:
This EOC Farm LED grow light provides the best solar spectrum. Each LED chip mixes all wavelengths, similar to natural sunlight, effectively promoting protein synthesis, flowering, and fruiting, and is suitable for indoor plants in various growth stages. LM561C, LM301B LED used, ultra-high PPFD, replace HPS 600W and 1000W perfectly. High PPFD at 4x4 feet coverage has 1549 umol/m2/s in 6-inch height from the canopy. Full-spectrum LED added 660nm LED, good for all growth stage, especially for flower stage, high yield>2grams per watt. Standard without dimming, dimming with different PPFD, Bluetooth wireless control system is optional.
Product: LED grow light 1 strip, standard without dimming Power: 80W±5%
Voltage: AC100–277V 50–60Hz
LEDs: SAMSUNG LM561C S6,216pcs led per bar
LED driver: Constant current, aluminum driver, designed by NaLite
Spectrum: 3500K add 660nm(standard)
Other spectrum or LEDs is available (OEM welcome)
LED lifespan: 50000 Hours
Spectrum:3500K+660NM
TotalGrow Mezzo 85W LED Grow Light Bar
Features:
The TotalGrow grow light generates an ideal light spectrum for diverse supplemental and sole source applications with a versatile output pattern, exceptional efficiency, and profound total value in a pleasant work environment. This plug-and-play solution is simple to implement, low on upfront and ongoing costs and makes it possible to sustainably grow high-quality plants year-round over a very long lifetime with minimum height requirements. 85W mid-power light bars at 2.5 umol/J for the precise light your plants need. Thin, narrow profile for simple utilization with minimal shadowing and minimal height.
Wattage draw: 85 watts
HID/HPS equivalent: 160 watts
PAR Efficacy: 2.5 umol/J
Light Output: 210 µmol/s
Service Life: 50,000 hours
Input voltage: 100–277 VAC
Power frequency: 50 ~ 60Hz
Product weight: 2.0 lbs
Dimensions: 47" (L) or 2.1" (W) x 1.3" (L)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 3 or 5 years
Full-spectrum refers to light that contains all the colors of the rainbow. Usually, a full spectrum simulates natural sunlight.
The effect of the blue spectrum on plants is regulating growth. Therefore, this makes the blue light suitable for seedlings.
The plant thrives in shorter wavelengths because they tend to deliver more energy. PAR outputs represent these shorter wavelengths.
Too high or too low PAR values may be damaging to your plants. Therefore, you need to maintain the optimum levels that your plants need for photosynthesis.
Placement options differ from one brand to another. The recommended height for the veg is 20 to 26 inches, for the bloom is 26 to 30 inches, and the veg plus bloom is 18 to 24 inches.
Effect of Red Light on Plants
Red light is radiation with wavelengths between 620 and 750 nm. These wavelengths are within the visible spectrum and red light has a pronounced effect on both photosynthesis and flowering.
However, plants grown under only red light may not have the desired characteristics. For example, plants grown with only red light can have skinny, stretched stems (“etiolation”) with fewer leaves. This is particularly true if the plants are young.
Effect of Blue Light on Plants
Blue light is radiation with wavelengths between 450 and 495 nm. These wavelengths are within the visible spectrum and blue light has a pronounced effect on photosynthesis, plant height, and flowering.
However, blue light is less effective than red light for driving photosynthesis. In addition to playing an important role in photosynthesis, blue light is well known to suppress stem elongation (“stretching” or etiolation). Plants grown with blue light are usually shorter and have thicker, and denser leaves compared to plants grown without blue light.
Ideal Combination for LED Grow Light Strips — Red and Blue Light
The red light should be used in conjunction with blue light to increase photosynthesis and plant size.
Although a plant can be grown using just red or blue light, most plants have faster growth with a broader spectrum of light. Red light can be used in conjunction with blue light.
Both red and blue light is more efficiently absorbed by photosynthetic pigments compared to other regions of the spectrum. The red-blue combination allows for a faster rate of photosynthesis than either red or blue light alone.
Compared to red or blue light alone, the red-blue light combination also increases plant size, leaf number, leaf size, and chlorophyll content.
Depending on the plant species, the ideal ratio of red: blue light varies.
There is no better way of boosting your indoor growing than using a good quality full spectrum LED grow light. Unlike traditional fixtures, full-spectrum lights ensure your plants receive all the useful wavelengths from UV to far-red. If you are growing cannabis for the first time, full spectrum fixtures are what your plants need!
August 12, 2021
Rosin extraction is safe and easy for both home and commercial growers because it doesn’t require any solvents with which to extract cannabinoids, nor does it require extensive safety measures as some other extraction methods do. But for rosin extraction to be most efficient — and produce the highest yield — professionally designed rosin presses are ideal.
The concept of extracting rosin is quite simple. Two heated plates are pressed on both sides of the desired starting material (which is enclosed in parchment paper or rosin pouches) at high pressure.
The heat from the plates loosens the resinous glands, or trichomes, that contain all of the plant’s cannabinoids while the pressure effectively squeezes it from the flower. This basic process is the foundation for rosin presses and the technology that makes them run.
Since rosin is produced without the use of solvents, which can change the flavor and finished product, it’s preferred by users who don’t want any chance of having lingering, man-made chemicals in their concentrates.
The very best rosin, referred to as “live rosin” is pressed from plants that are freshly harvested, thereby maximizing the integrity of the cannabinoids and terpene compounds which collectively as an “entourage effect” help create a superior high when compared to more harsh extraction processes.
This extraction technique has been used by other industries for thousands of years. Imagine squeezing the oil out of olive or the juice from a grape. The rosin process presses the starting material until it produces a potent, solventless concentrate.
Temperature plays a big role in determining the quality and yield and the ideal temperature is heavily dependent on the chemical makeup of the plants used.
If your flowers, dry sift, or hash is terpene-rich, a lower temperature is needed. This is because the terpenes squeezed out of the trichome glands during the initial press act as a natural solvent to facilitate the rosin process.
With fewer terpenes to play that role, you’ll need more pressure and heat to coax the cannabinoids out of the glands.
You may think that more heat will result in larger yields. This is not true! Using too much heat will burn off terpenes and other compounds that make rosin so sought after. You should stick to lower heat.
For the flower: 220°F — 240°F for about 30–45 seconds
For dry sift/kief/hash: 180°F — 210°F for 45–90 seconds
As soon as you finish your press, remove rosin from the plates as fast as possible. This will minimize any degradation of compounds like CBD and terpenes.
ECO Farm DM Electric Hydraulic Rosin Press Machine
Features:
ECO Farm Rosin Press Machine is great because they don’t require a pump that can take up extra space — just plug it into a wall. This style of a rosin press is sort of new to the extraction industry but is quickly gaining favor, especially with hobby growers and home extractors. The reason for this is that it doesn’t require any sort of air compressor. They are plug-and-play, typically featuring built-in electronic pressure control.
They can output enough pressure to produce rosin. They are also small, compact, and easy to carry. They are also very quiet-this is a very popular choice for those who want a DIY setup of reliable printing presses. It is also very popular with professional consumers and commercial extractors. They have been tested to run for 6 to 8 hours at a time without any problems.
Bubble Magic 5"x5" Hydraulic/Manual 5 Ton Rosin Press
Features:
The Bubble Magic 120v 5'’ x 5'’ hydraulic/manual heat press has 5 tons of pressure
It is equipped with dual LED timer and temperature controllers to control both of your plates simultaneously. This manual hydraulic press really gives you a handle on your pressing needs!
This 5-ton rosin press comes with a 5'’ x 5'’ heat plate and can achieve a max temperature of 750° F, giving you every bit of control you need, and then some.
Rosineer Presso Heat Press Machine
Features:
Rosineer PRESSO rosin extraction press (Ivory color) makes it easier than ever to press rosin at the comfort of your home. Just set up your temperature and time on the digital control panel, load your herbs, and press away!
The press is built with two 2x3 inch insulated solid aluminum heating plates with a pressure adjusting nut above the upper plate. The plates are aligned perfectly to ensure full contact during pressing and optimum results.
Separate temperature control (less than +/- 1 F) for both upper and lower plates. Timer and Fahrenheit/Celsius functions are included.
There is quite a lot that goes into what makes a high-quality rosin press, just because there are so many intricate details and factors to look for. However, there are vital elements to note before purchasing one of your own. Let’s take a look through what really matters when finding a premium rosin press machine.
Using High-Quality Heat Plates With Even Heat Distribution
Avoid any cheaply made rosin presses or even DIY methods unless you are well equipped and have all the proper materials needed for quality extraction. While the process behind a concentrate extraction may sound simple, applying or actually implementing it is a totally different ball game that should not involve shortcuts in order to achieve the best results.
A top factor in this is the heat plates. Size, material, and how well heat can be evenly distributed among the plates are absolutely vital when dealing with rosin press machines, as they are what determine the end result. The uneven heat distribution will also cause lower potency levels which result in a lower grade or quality products.
Great Functionality and Design
Another key component to look for is if the rosin press machine itself functions not only effectively but also consistently. When we were going through the different rosin presses, we noticed almost instantaneously whether or not the machine was properly designed, just by looking at the materials, features, and seeing how durable the overall rosin press was.
Lacking in any of these areas should be a red flag since you ideally want a reliable machine and not one that will fail you halfway through. Aluminum heat plates are highly recommended for the best possible results.
Quality and Consistency Must Match
Another important element to look for and possibly one of the more essential ones is product quality and yield consistency. You should be able to know exactly what you are producing in terms of amount and your results should be identical every time or close, for it to be considered effective. The quality of the product should not be off or inconsistent regardless of the number of presses.
It can take a few trials to find the right switching of temperature and pressure settings before finding that perfect consistency, so be sure to have fun with the different options and stay away from cheaply made rosin press machines!
The rosin press you choose to go with will ultimately depend on the amount of material you’re looking to use in a single press, the total volume (size of your operation), and the type of material you will be pressing. Based on these variables, you’ll choose a rosin press that best fits your needs and make all-natural plants extracts on your own!