LED Grow Light Forum

Folks: Been following the threads looking for answers to my "as of yet" unasked questions, but did not see answer, so here I go. have several years of outdoors experience under my belt. this year, had to move to indoor set up, with little space to do so. Set up a 20x36" tent (basically call it 1.5x3' or 4.5 Sq Ft.). Bought a CLW 200W Solar Flare full spectrum and Botanicare Ebb and Flow system.

Through veg stage was VERY impressed with the SF on 2 plants that are designed to stay under 60-80 cm. But, am now converting to Flower stage (10-12 days ago in a 8-9 wk start to finish variety, currently in week 6), and found that the plants began to want to stretch to the light. Was told by local hydro shop that sells the SF and has experience with it to lower light to 2-4" from tops to stop upward growth. Plants seem to handle that fine, so far. The obvious problem is that when you lower the light to top of canopy, there is little light spread for the branches below, hence those flowers are small and I question whether they will ever develop. MY QUESTION IS...what can I, or should I, do, light-wise to achieve optimal results? Did not go HPS or HID due to too much heat to vent (am in hot, humid TX location to start with). Was told by CLW that the SS400 would gen out a lot more heat than the SF200's. When I posed the above question to CLW, they said I should have bought the 200w Veg and 200w Flower SF's, but that would not have fixed the light dispersion issue and THEN ALSO, could have just bought a SS400 for about the same $. Would adding a 125W red spectrum CFL to tent help? Anyhow, any thoughts or advice is welcome. Thank you.

Welcome to the forums!
(I split your topic because your questions had nothing to do with PM's questions.)

1) 20"x36" = 720sqin = 5sqft.
2) 2"-4" inches is too close for those powerful 5w diodes.
3) A single SF200w is fine for veg in a 20"x36" area but not for flower.
4) Stretching during early flower is normal.
5) Smaller flowers on lower branches is normal, especially if the light is too close to maintain a proper footprint, if the plants are too tall or if the canopy is too crowded.

For optimal lighting results you need to plan your grow area around your light(s) or your light(s) around your grow area. Rectangular areas, especially those that are 2x (or more) longer than the width should not be used with a single light, imho. While the SF200w can cover the 20" side OK; the 36" length is too much for such a small light.

The extra light will help but it'll never be optimal. I wouldn't ever use a fluorescent light in flower but it's your grow.

Dear SME:
Thank you for the input and advise. The "tent" is 36" wide but the ebb and flow top is only 24" wide. Am growing 2 plants which are a total of 24" across when the two are positioned close enough together to get under the footprint of the light. Yes, I will probably need a little more oomph in there. Maybe a HID in 250w would have worked better, but too late this time, and could not deal with the heat. Found a way to raise the light, but it is topped out at 8" above the plants. Was not planning on the 20" height of the hydro set up. That left me 40" to work with and the plants are now 32". If the growing doesn't stop will have to bend, but hope to NOT have to do that at this late stage...would mess up the whole timing of the grow. Anyhow, will keep posted on next 2-3 weeks progress. Talked to CLW and they made some suggestions. Do to a BAD mistake on Nutr. calcs on topping water tank had to drain today and re set-up. Took time to do a Clearex flush of plants before the drain and refill. Will see of that helps. thanks again. Jerrycokid