Day 1

Hello all!

I have been given the privilege of participating in California Lightworks' Grower Feedback Program (GFP).

Although I am not a new grower, I am new to LEDs. I was using a 400 watt MH/HPS setup but circumstances have dictated I go super stealth which has led me to take a look at LEDs.

I've been hearing great things about California Lightworks so I gave them a call. They advised that a SolarStorm 440 would be ideal for my space but given my budget these days I have decided to test out the SolarFlare 220 FullCycle. If it performs well enough I'll definitely consider upgrading to one of the SolarStorms.

I understand the 220's are challenged when it comes to penetration but I shouldn't have too much of a problem since I will be running a scrog (screen of green) to keep the mostly sativa's canopy low and even.

I'm running a pretty minimal hydro setup:

Grow area: 3.5ft x 3.5ft x 8ft
Medium: rockwool in hydroton in 5 gal DWC
Nutrients: FloraNova Bloom (Lucas Formula)
Additives: Cal/Mag, AquaShield
Scrog net size: 2ft x 2ft with 2in x 2in holes

In the beginning I was all about doing everything I could to try and squeeze every last gram out of my plants but these days my goal is just to keep her happy.

Strain: Kali Mist (almost pure sativa) first time growing a Sativa dom. I'm feeling a little intimidated but with the scrog net everything should be under control

I had the SolarFlare delivered to a friend and will be picking it up tomorrow but in the meantime I have a Kali seed taking a swim!

As soon as I get the light I'll get pics up of it hanging in the room.

I am super stoked to see how this light performs. Updates to come!

-xarlan

Very cool. i have the solar storm 400w and the new sf110w. I havent tried out the little one yet. however i ve been interested in the 220w full cycle. i look forward to seeing your grow. best of luck!

Thanks for the good vibes, nineandfive
Looks like your 400 and 110 did well. I wish I had the ability to grab a 400 but all in good time

Leaving now to grab the 220!

-xarlan

Day 2

Everything is green!

Finally got the SF220 home and even though I read the dimensions on CLW's site, it was considerably smaller and lighter than I anticipated. It's very well built though, I'm impressed.
This small guy packs a punch! It's super bright and after spending 20 minutes in the room with it on, all I see is green lol.

I might invest in a pair of those Method Seven grow room glasses so I can work in there with the SF on

Meanwhile the Kali Mist seed sank so I put it between a damp folded paper towel and then in an airtight container to germinate. Crossing fingers

I'm also using tap water in the res so I have it bubbling with the air stones now to oxygenate and evaporate the chlorine. Now just waiting for the little tap root to say hello and we'll be off!

-xarlan

Nice dude! You ll like the 220w. It maybe smaller but my little 110w packs a punch so i am sure that the 220w will be just fine. I myself am not a LED light grow expert and fairly new to growing as well .. But the CLW products are awesome in my opinion. You ever try growing the kali Mist before ?

Yeah the Kali is new for me as is photoperiods. I've been growing autos up until now so I hope I can keep her tame or she's gonna take over that space.

Day 2

So Kali decided to stick her little tongue out today

So now she is in a rock wool cube soaked in ph'd water and placed in a sealed container.
There's not much heat at all in the room so I brought the SolarFlare just above the scrog net and set the container next to the exhaust vent. The temp seems to be just right

Now to wait until she pops her head above the surface.

hey if it works then why not right ! Just curious. With the GFP how much of a deposite did you have to put down. ? And if iam correct saying this if you decide to keep the light then all you pay is just your deposit ?

nineandfive wrote: ... Just curious. With the GFP how much of a deposite did you have to put down. ? And if iam correct saying this if you decide to keep the light then all you pay is just your deposit ?

Correct. Including shipping it's about half the cost of the light (for example: the Solarflare 220 FullCycle MSRP is $519. I paid $279 including shipping). Then after the 90 day period you can either send it back for a full refund or keep it for what you paid. Excellent deal imho.

I don't know how long they'll be accepting applications or what criteria they are looking for but I recommend checking it out for sure

Xarlan wrote:Grow area: 3.5ft x 3.5ft x 8ft
Scrog net size: 2ft x 2ft with 2in x 2in holes

In the beginning I was all about doing everything I could to try and squeeze every last gram out of my plants but these days my goal is just to keep her happy.

I assume 3.5/sq is the closet and 2x2 is the expected canopy size but that's still a little too big for top shelf results with such a small light, imho. I'd put a ss880 in a 3.5/sq room if I wanted to use it all and I'd put in a SS440w if I wanted to use 3x2. You'll get something but not what you could have gotten. If top-shelf isn't your goal, you should still be happy at around 40w/sqft


SME