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.

Yak54 · January 15, 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneStepAhead

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.

So how has this light worked out for you long term ?

Dan

Yak54 · January 14, 2023

https://www.amazon.com/SZHLUX-Spectr...ps%2C82&sr=8-6

I'm trying out this new grow light for the upcoming season.

Dan

Labradors2 · January 14, 2023

I had a horrible time with my Root Farm LED light. Last winter it burned everything. At first I thought the problem was that I was switching from another light to the LED, and also that the plants were too close, but this year I kept the light a good 8-9 inches above my micro tomatoes yet it still burned them. I put them under T8 lights and tried growing lettuce under the LED's, but that didn't do so well either

.

I'm so glad that I grow my tomato and pepper starts under T5's.

Linda

Yak54 · January 14, 2023

Linda

I have used a 4 light T8 shop fixture for 9-10 years now with pretty good results for tomato, pepper and lettuce. Last year I tried out an LED light with pretty good results so I thought I'd continue to experiment with LED's.

Dan

CrazyAboutOrchids · January 15, 2023

I've been looking at the Spider Farmer site for lights myself. I've been using 4 T8 bulbs successfully in my basement for starting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. The SF600 would use 56% of the energy I am now using. Haven't jumped on it yet, but am interesting in LEDs....

Yak54 · January 15, 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutOrchids

I've been looking at the Spider Farmer site for lights myself. I've been using 4 T8 bulbs successfully in my basement for starting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. The SF600 would use 56% of the energy I am now using. Haven't jumped on it yet, but am interesting in LEDs....

Yes I looked at this one also and it looks good to me. Since the light I just received doesn't work right out of the box I may be looking for an alternate. I'll see if the replacement I get does the job or not.

Dan

CrazyAboutOrchids · January 16, 2023

I did look at the lights you posted - bummer one did not work. I also looked at Mars Hydro VG80 but I like the SF600's better, or so I think right now - I keep going back and forth but will order something soon. Have you seen the Mars Hydro lights? Any thoughts there?

Yak54 · January 16, 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutOrchids

I did look at the lights you posted - bummer one did not work. I also looked at Mars Hydro VG80 but I like the SF600's better, or so I think right now - I keep going back and forth but will order something soon. Have you seen the Mars Hydro lights? Any thoughts there?

I'm with you. I like the SF600 better ! Amazon is supposed to deliver a new light on Wednesday so I'll see how it goes. Hopefully all will be well.

Dan

Yak54 · January 18, 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yak54

I'm with you. I like the SF600 better ! Amazon is supposed to deliver a new light on Wednesday so I'll see how it goes. Hopefully all will be well.

Dan

So I got the replacement light today and it does not work either!
Imagine that ! How do you say Quality Control in Chinese ??????

CrazyAboutOrchids · January 18, 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yak54

So I got the replacement light today and it does not work either!
Imagine that ! How do you say Quality Control in Chinese ??????

Argh!!! Not just quality control out of the box - but what does it say for longevity? I have been successful ordering Nicrew LED lights for my aquarium - I assume they, too, are made in China. My SF600's are due for delivery today. Will post initial thoughts and some pics today or tomorrow.

Yak54 · January 18, 2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutOrchids

Argh!!! Not just quality control out of the box - but what does it say for longevity? I have been successful ordering Nicrew LED lights for my aquarium - I assume they, too, are made in China. My SF600's are due for delivery today. Will post initial thoughts and some pics today or tomorrow.

I'm sure you will be more successful than I've been ! How could you not ?

Dan

CrazyAboutOrchids · January 16, 2023

Will let you know what I think... I bit the bullet and placed the order after MONTHS of waffling....

May 31, 2021	#1
tlmcca Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Near St. Louis, Zone 6a Posts: 8	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

January 14, 2023	#5
Yak54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Madison, OH, zone 6 Posts: 471	https://www.amazon.com/SZHLUX-Spectr...ps%2C82&sr=8-6 I'm trying out this new grow light for the upcoming season. Dan __________________ Dan

January 14, 2023	#7
Yak54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Madison, OH, zone 6 Posts: 471	Linda I have used a 4 light T8 shop fixture for 9-10 years now with pretty good results for tomato, pepper and lettuce. Last year I tried out an LED light with pretty good results so I thought I'd continue to experiment with LED's. Dan __________________ Dan

January 16, 2023	#10
CrazyAboutOrchids Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Zone 6 - CT Posts: 155	I did look at the lights you posted - bummer one did not work. I also looked at Mars Hydro VG80 but I like the SF600's better, or so I think right now - I keep going back and forth but will order something soon. Have you seen the Mars Hydro lights? Any thoughts there? Last edited by CrazyAboutOrchids; January 16, 2023 at 11:38 AM.

June 27, 2021	#2
dshreter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2019 Location: Seattle Posts: 58	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.

January 14, 2023	#6
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,895	I had a horrible time with my Root Farm LED light. Last winter it burned everything. At first I thought the problem was that I was switching from another light to the LED, and also that the plants were too close, but this year I kept the light a good 8-9 inches above my micro tomatoes yet it still burned them. I put them under T8 lights and tried growing lettuce under the LED's, but that didn't do so well either . I'm so glad that I grow my tomato and pepper starts under T5's. Linda

January 15, 2023	#8
CrazyAboutOrchids Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Zone 6 - CT Posts: 155	I've been looking at the Spider Farmer site for lights myself. I've been using 4 T8 bulbs successfully in my basement for starting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. The SF600 would use 56% of the energy I am now using. Haven't jumped on it yet, but am interesting in LEDs....