I agree. I use a 180watt, perfect for 3x3 and it might handle 4x4. I have a 5x5 tent so I'm not using all the space I have. Once I have 2 of those bad boys in there I'll be all set.

I wouldn't use a 180w light in anything larger than 2x2.


YMMV...

Have you tested any other brands then the California light works? The RhinoGrow light can easily handle 3x3.

It's not the brand, mj plants need a lot of light. Not enough light is one reason growers have low yields and less density. Unfortunately, many LED companies overstate their coverage ability. Some people say that 40+w/sqf is the target, I think it's closer to 45-50+w/sqf.

Let's do the math on some of these areas:
EleetDoja says his 200w light (probably puts out 180w) will cover a 5x5 which would be 8w/sqf
4x4 area = 10w/sqf
3x3 area = 22w/sqf
2x2 area = 50w/sqf

Which area has the better flowers and which one is going to get you the most yield? The smaller one with more w/sqf, imo.

Now, to get high quality, large, dense flowers using HID lights you want 50+w/sqf as a target. Above that is good, below that impacts the results. With LED, there's a lot of hype about efficiency and what some people think the plants need or use but it's certainly not enough to drop the lighting requirements *that* much.

I'm willing to be proven wrong...

Well the RhinoGrow 400 series draws 170watt but is compared to a 400watt hid.

Maury420 wrote:Well the RhinoGrow 400 series draws 170watt but is compared to a 400watt hid.

Compared to a 400w hid in their sales propaganda. Show me nearly 400 grams from that 170w light and I'll change my mind. Heck, show me 1+g/w LED in 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4 and I'll be impressed.

yeah i am interested to see my results too, i am just going by what these guys are telling me, i will keep you posted on my progress. so if i got 170grams out of 3x3 i can assume thats good riight? do you know of any other LED lights that have any proven g/per watt results?

If you get more than 1g/w with any LED in any size area...that's good. I think you're more likely to get that 170+g in a 2x2 area than a 3x3 though.

So far, none of the grows here have gotten close to 1g/w but on other forums I've seen wild claims that couldn't be verified. You know, a "friend" who knew a guy type deals...

If a low wattage LED claims it can keep up with a higher power HID then they need to be able to grow the same number of grams as the wattage of the HID because an excellent grower with a fine tuned system and the right genetics can and do break 1g/w with HID. So if a 170w light claims to be able to match 90% of the yield of a 400w HPS with a new bulb (which they actually do claim on their site) that's 360+grams or 2.1g/w and that I find unbelievable.

I've been here a while and I keep hoping somebody is going to prove me wrong but so far I'm still not convinced of the marketing hype. I'm not saying that LED can't grow plants, it clearly does. I'm saying that there are better lights than LED for almost every grower. LED is also more appropriate for veg than flower due to light intensity, penetration, coverage and price. LED makes for a decent banzai mother plant keeper, cloner or small veg light but the prices are still way too high, imho. LED is probably the future, it's just not quite ready for prime time yet.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...until proven otherwise.

Ok, fair enough. Well I guess we will see what happens. I appreciate your honesty, you have been helpful. I do agree, There is a lot of junk coming from over seas, I hate the cheap made import stuff...

After 2 months of research, I bought 2 solar storms. I love them!!!