[de145]

Let's say I'm growing in a smallish cabinet and have 2' by 2' of usable space.

Do I buy the light specified for that exact area by the seller or is it worthwhile to go a bit bigger to get more light into that same space?

Or is it completely wasted because the bigger light will shine on the walls and contribute nothing useful to the plants inside the 2' by 2' area?

(The lenses in the new LED fixtures complicate things as they seem to be focused on a particular distance and area)

Leds dont have the best light penetration. Imo a brand that advertises true wattage with high watt chipsets would be where I'd start. I grow in a 2x2x4 and I use a 240w(real wattage 135w) and I cant wait til I can get more light in my tent. Spectraledgrowlights.com is where I'd look if I was you.

[rives]

Originally Posted by de145

Do I buy the light specified for that exact area by the seller or is it worthwhile to go a bit bigger to get more light into that same space?

Or is it completely wasted because the bigger light will shine on the walls and contribute nothing useful to the plants inside the 2' by 2' area?

I like having as much of the grow area as possible covered with multiple light sources. In my experience, LED fixtures do not light up well out of the "core area" - basically immediately below the fixture and out a few inches. This was one of the design criteria for my hybrid fixture, I wanted the screen covered to the greatest extent possible. That fixture wound up being 22-1/2" x 28-1/2", placed in an area that is roughly 30" x 30". I have sidewall-mounted controls and receptacles, so the size wound up being nearly ideal.

[de145]

I'm talking about modern systems with lenses though.

[rives]

I have a couple of "modern" systems with lenses, too. This fixture was my response to what I perceived as being their shortcomings. Tight lensing causes hot spots immediately beneath them unless there is substantial separation between the plant and the LEDs, and then the tangential lighting runs out of steam pretty quickly when compared with the light immediately below the LED's. Good luck.

[de145]

Ah..ok, thanks rives. I thought you meant the no lens type. So in effect your answer is yes then, get a bigger one to get a bigger usable footprint underneath and don't believe the sellers specs for usable area because it's less than that.

[habeeb]

the thing is, you want your panel/s to be as large as you can get for the grow area (2x2).. and also fitting in a nice size watts ( not underdoing, or overdoing )


I suggest, what verdant has which is 2 pro's, or one 189 x-pro with 3 watt chip

[brotherjericho]

I agree with rives. I have a PG180 and it really is only good for the two plants directly under it. It might grow 3 in veg, but for flower, forget it. My tent is 2x2x5, and I have the PG180 on one side and a 150w 3000K PLL homemade fixture on the other. I start the plants in flower under all spectrums of the PG180 (it has one for veg, one for flower) and put them under the PLLs in the last two weeks. Seems to work out well so far.

[siddhartha]

Let us know what you decide on getting and how it works for you. My buddy is wanting to start a micro grow with LEDs and wants me to help out. But I have no micro LED experience.
Sidd

[grow_right]

for my 2x2 foot area i use the ds200. i also have the new ds xml for the same sized space.