LED Grow Light Forum

I am about a week from making my purchase of my first Solar Storm. After much much research I have decided to go with CLW led lights but now am trying to capitalize on the best configuration for my grow. Ive read many of grow journals and have seen over and over that despite the coverage area given for the 400ss of 3x3, that ideally it seems to work best for a 3x2. Now also, with HID ive seen many times that 2 600w lights is far superior in many aspects to one 1000w. Im trying to decide between a 4x4 or 3x3 grow tent and again, either 2 400w ss or 1 800w ss. I'll be growing in soil, and like to top my plants several times over to get an even canopy of many colas. Can anyone in the forum please share with me from experience, what is the ideal configuration for this type of grow? Thank you all for your time.

Welcome to the forums!

Let's crunch some numbers.

1 SS800w is too small for a 4x4 tent at just under 39w/swft.
1 SS400w in a 3x3 is worse at 37w/sqft.
1 SS800w in a 3x3 = 69w/sqft
2 x SS400w in a 3x3 = 73w/sqft and 2x UVB bulbs.

The other question is how much room inside do you need for equipment, etc? You could go with a larger tent than your canopy if you want room for a dehumidifier and/or portable ac, workspace, etc...


Hope that helps!

SME

Thank you for your quick reply! Ok, so that definitely helps some. Ive read through so many grow journals but unfortunately neglected to take notes. I know that Ive read this somewhere, but can you please advise me as to what the ideal w/sqft is and if there is a such thing as too much? Looks like I'll be going with a 4x4 but having a 3x3 canopy, or close to. Also, with that in mind, can you recommend an appropriate size vent fan/filter combo (cfm) ?

I don't know if I can say there is an "ideal" number but if you want top-shelf results you won't get there under 50w/sqft.

With 2 x SS400's you could fill 3x4 of that 4x4 tent and if you needed more room for "stuff" you could go 5x5. If it's *all* going to be plants though, the 3x3 numbers are better.

I always suggest more than you need due to slim price differences and the ability to have room for more if you need it later. 4" fan/filter might work, I'd go with at least a 6" but 8" is better especially if you want to run a speed controller to lower fan noise.