How To Choose an LED Grow Light
How to Choose An LED Grow Light for Indoor Gardening?
Migrating from HPS/HID to LED? Or you’re new to growing and want to start with LEDs?
In both the case one thing that you might get worries about would be selection of right type of LED Grow Light.
Yeah, Majority of brands available on the market shows fake claims and traps people in fake worthless products.
It costs you so much and I know it very well because initially I’ve done the same mistake of believing in all those rubbish presented by the manufacturers on their adverts.
However, that’s the past and right now I’m capable enough to identify what’s right and what’s wrong in a product especially when it comes to LED Grow Lights.
In this article my primary aim is to convey proper techniques and need to know factors before making a decision concerning Full spectrum LED Grow Light.
Yeah, there are several factors which are responsible to produce high quality of yield at the time of harvesting. And, believe me elimination of even a single factor can break your dreams of getting high quality buds in your hand. You don’t want to face that right?
So, pay attention and understand all the important factors which I’m gonna share with you.
Let’s get started.
Factors to consider while making a decision to purchase an LED Grow Light for indoor cannabis cultivation.
Take a look at this factors.
1). Define your coverage expectations
First and foremost factor to keep in mind while making a decision while buying an LED is your expectations regarding coverage space.
Yeah, determine the space you want to grow your weed in. Also dimensions of space matters as different LED comes in different space like rectangular, UFO, and square shape to be precise. This dimensions limits the footprint generated in a particular area of grow space.
Another thing is never compromise on coverage expectancy by bringing an LED capable of providing lesser footprint than your expectancy. Yeah, because that’ll not help your plants to sustain best possible growth as you spreads less light over grow space than needed.
2). Get your budget ready
The second thing is budget. Yeah, I’ve seen many people compromising on their expectations regarding coverage space and spectral effect and they don’t even try to spend even a 1–2 bucks more than their budget.
Don’t do that. I’ve did it in past and bought a useless crap. Result? I was heartbroken at the end of very first grow cycle. Yeah, it’s not a big deal if you need to spend some more buck on an LED grow light which is more capable in terms of performance compared to those which you’re planning to buy by limiting yourself with a specific budget. Yeah, there are many cheap led grow lights which works and go for those if you don’t want to regret for your decision in future.
3). Look at PAR and PPFD instead of HPS equivalence
PAR is a measurement of intensity and capability of an LED Grow light to spread footprint on a particular area. Nowdays, majority of brands specify HPS equivalence in their specification. You’ll be shocked to know that this figures don’t have any value or worth in your cultivation purposes. Yeah, most important is the PAR and PPFD figures and more the measurement better the results.
So, go for one which is providing better PAR and PPFD results to grow well.
4). Save some bucks regularly by investing in an Energy Efficient Grow Light
Energy efficiency plays a vital role in saving money in longer time frame. Yeah, if a grow light is drawing around 250W and another one is drawing 220W then even it’ll be massive difference at long time period. It helps in saving money in longer run.
5). Decide whether you want separate grow light for each phase or a grow light which is capable for all phases?
There are several manufacturers available on the market who manufactures a grow light specifically for any one phase of plants life cycle. These kind of grow lights are more focused in providing high quality light specifically for one phase i.e. vegetation or bloom. Like if you’re planning to bring a grow light for vegetation then they’ll include more number of blue bands along with white and for blooming you’ll notice more number of Red bands in a light spectrum.
However, there are several brands who manufactures a grow light with a dual mode switches and gives you a freedom to use it accordingly. In this case light stays a bit underutilized in several instances.
So, decide what you want to bring? Two LEDs for different stages or single for uniform use?
6). Are you planning to expand coverage space in future?
If you’re the one who is not sure whether he wants to grow in same space or want to expand it in future? Then bring one which gives you freedom to attach an external grow light without need of an extra socket in your power outlet. Yeah, for that purpose you can aim for one which is equipped with Daisy Chaining feature.
That’s all folks. Hope it helps.
Now, let me share a recent experience of a conversation with my reader on our site 420 Expert Guide.
A guy recently asked me a question that what should I go for? A 115$ grow light or a 140$ Grow Light?
I replied which has less power draw as per the opinions of users who’ve either used it or using it currently? Yeah, as I often mention the opinions of users In my articles. He replied that 115$ one has less power draw.
I asked another question, what is difference in coverage capabilities? He replied, 115$ one is providing coverage for 3’X3’ while 140$ priced product is covering 3.5’X3.5’ as per users opinions.
I asked one more and final question? What is your expectancy in terms of budget and coverage?
He replied, Both are falling in my budget range and my coverage expectancy is around 3’X3’ at max as I’m planning to grow only 3 plants initially.
I said, you got your answer? He replied yes. I should go for 115$ priced product, right? I replied, obviously mate.
Hope you’re now capable of filtering some of the top notch grow light available on the market. In same way as I helped john in my case. 😊
Happy growing mate.