New build LED lighting

[Ray]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

okay, so i have a really stupid person question. is there is simple way to calculate the power of the lamp at a given distance for every light source?

Because you put the word “simple” in your query, the answer is unequivocally “no”.

If you have the initial outlet of a point-source of light, the intensity does simply decrease as the inverse-square of the distance.

However, when you start accounting for a liner arrays of “infinite” point sources (fluorescent tubes) or multiple emitters like LEDs, where the light beams can overlap and reinforce each other, PLUS the effects of reflectors and shades, it gets pretty damned complex.

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Shifting gears a bit.

I really think one needs to know the PPF and the spectrum to really know what’s going on, as the spectrum can affect growth if it considerably askew.

PPF tells you the sum of the intensity of the light with wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm, meaning that it is possible that an array of blue LEDs and an array of red LEDs can have identical PPF output, but will give drastically different growth, neither of which is good compared to a white, “plant light” LED of the same intensity.

Jeff White (theorchidhobbyist.com) spent about $1200 on a combo PPF/spectrometer so he could evaluate both in the designs for his LED lamps. As far as I can see, that’s about the only way to really know what you’re getting.

[pdxtyler]

Originally Posted by guccisimo85

I think I am going to replace my existing all in one grow setup with a set of metal shelves so I can customized the lighting. Pics below of what I have in mind

I’m thinking a 48” x 24” x 72” metal shelving unit. Might leave a 12” shelf at the bottom for storage, which would give me two 30” shelves for plants.

Do you think these LED fixtures would be a good choice? It’s a Spider Farmer SF 1000 fixture. They are adjustable (both wattage & height), so I could dial them in. I grow mostly high light demanding species.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Robot Check

Attachment 145362

Attachment 145363

Attachment 145364

This is a very similar set up that I just set up. I got the Spider Farmer 600 however, which seems to be working quite well and flowering mini cattleyas from about 18" above the plant canopy. I have 3 of these zip-tied to the top of a 5'x2' wire shelf.

The lower shelf I have a 4' T5 ballast with 2 x AgroLED® iSunlight® T5 White 5,500° K LED Lamps and 2x AgroLED® iSunlight® T5 Bloom LED Lamps. They're sitting maybe 24" above the canopy.

I run both for 13.5 hours / day.

I'm kind of thinking that I might convert the lower shelf into another cattleya shelf. I might use the same T5 LEDs and just reduce the height to sit maybe 8" above the canopy. I might be able to add another shelf if I do this. What do you think? This might create too much heat though as it's pretty perfect now with no ventilation.

Interested to see what you decided on and how it's working guccisimo85. Please keep me posted.

[pokefan_nat]

Originally Posted by pdxtyler

This is a very similar set up that I just set up. I got the Spider Farmer 600 however, which seems to be working quite well and flowering mini cattleyas from about 18" above the plant canopy. I have 3 of these zip-tied to the top of a 5'x2' wire shelf.

The lower shelf I have a 4' T5 ballast with 2 x AgroLED® iSunlight® T5 White 5,500° K LED Lamps and 2x AgroLED® iSunlight® T5 Bloom LED Lamps. They're sitting maybe 24" above the canopy.

I run both for 13.5 hours / day.

I'm kind of thinking that I might convert the lower shelf into another cattleya shelf. I might use the same T5 LEDs and just reduce the height to sit maybe 8" above the canopy. I might be able to add another shelf if I do this. What do you think? This might create too much heat though as it's pretty perfect now with no ventilation.

Interested to see what you decided on and how it's working guccisimo85. Please keep me posted.

I was just wondering if you were able to bloom your cattleyas with this light fixture because I was thinking about either getting this one, the MARS TS600 or the LED glow light 300w. If anyone else has experience and has bloomed their cattleyas with these lights, please reply because Im still learning and trying not to waste money. Thanks

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by pokefan_nat

I was just wondering if you were able to bloom your cattleyas with this light fixture because I was thinking about either getting this one, the MARS TS600 or the LED glow light 300w. If anyone else has experience and has bloomed their cattleyas with these lights, please reply because Im still learning and trying not to waste money. Thanks

All of these lights will work. I have about 24 panels of the 300w Relassy in my grow room and love them.