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 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

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

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

CrazyAboutOrchids · January 16, 2023

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

Yak54 · January 16, 2023

Thanks....I hope you'll share with us your experience using it.

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.

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	#4
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	#6
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.

January 16, 2023	#13
Yak54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Madison, OH, zone 6 Posts: 471	Thanks....I hope you'll share with us your experience using it. Dan __________________ Dan

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	#5
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	#7
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....