Wow that is fantastic!!! I'm so happy to have finally found an example of these lights being used for orchids effectively!!!! Ok I do have a question for you though. I was thinking about getting the 300 watt option of a led light. Do you think that would be overkill for a small grow tent?? How did you know to place the orchids 3 feet away??? That's what is off putting about upgrading to this setup it seems like a ton of guess work because standard foot candle readings wouldn't work.
There are lots of variation among LED fixtures. Most of so-called 300W LED is not using 300W. Usually, they consume around 160-220W. Which one are you thinking and are you trying to grow Vanda? Also the coverage area depends on the beam pattern. You can place the narrow angled ones far away. Without PAR meter, distance is guess work...
I wanted to grow a variety of orchids... Mostly high light loving varieties. A par meter huh??? That sounds useful and likely very expensive. I don't even know the proper par requirements for orchids.
I didn't have a particular light in mind just yet. I am in the dreaming stage...not quite ready to make a decision yet.