Need advice on LED light panels

tlmcca · May 31, 2021

I usually grow six plants each season, two each of three varieties. I start them from seed using a Brupee XL self watering tray and four 40w T12 daylight lamps. My problem is that even though I keep the lights within an inch of the plants I still end up with leggy plants.

I've been thinking of what I might change next season and have come up with two possible changes. One change is to replace the florescent lamps with a full spectrum LED panel and the second is to use the cold treatment. The light I'm looking at is the Spider Farmer SF-600.

What I'm looking for here is any advice you might have about using panels and anything you know about the particular panel.

Thanks,
Terry

dshreter · June 27, 2021

I’ve started my seedlings with a 45W led panel, big enough to light a standard 10x20 nursery tray. It grows robust starts, and is plenty to get your plants started before going outside. I think the higher power LEDs are really only necessary if you plant to do an actual indoor grow.

The one I got is called “Root Farm” to get an idea of what works for me.

OneStepAhead · June 29, 2021

I use triple chip LED lights myself, works well. I have 3x Mieemclux 1500w

One of them will cover like 2 flats of seedlings, or 2 dwarf tomato plants, etc. I got these a year ago, the technology changes fast so there could be a better product now but I'm quite happy with these. You can daisy chain up to 3 together as well.

The pic below is just one light, I took the other 2 down for now.

May 31, 2021	#1
tlmcca Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Near St. Louis, Zone 6a Posts: 5	Need advice on LED light panels I usually grow six plants each season, two each of three varieties. I start them from seed using a Brupee XL self watering tray and four 40w T12 daylight lamps. My problem is that even though I keep the lights within an inch of the plants I still end up with leggy plants. I've been thinking of what I might change next season and have come up with two possible changes. One change is to replace the florescent lamps with a full spectrum LED panel and the second is to use the cold treatment. The light I'm looking at is the Spider Farmer SF-600. What I'm looking for here is any advice you might have about using panels and anything you know about the particular panel. Thanks, Terry

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June 27, 2021	#2
dshreter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2019 Location: Seattle Posts: 45	I’ve started my seedlings with a 45W led panel, big enough to light a standard 10x20 nursery tray. It grows robust starts, and is plenty to get your plants started before going outside. I think the higher power LEDs are really only necessary if you plant to do an actual indoor grow. The one I got is called “Root Farm” to get an idea of what works for me.

June 29, 2021	#3
OneStepAhead Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2021 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 21	I use triple chip LED lights myself, works well. I have 3x Mieemclux 1500w One of them will cover like 2 flats of seedlings, or 2 dwarf tomato plants, etc. I got these a year ago, the technology changes fast so there could be a better product now but I'm quite happy with these. You can daisy chain up to 3 together as well. The pic below is just one light, I took the other 2 down for now.