Where would you hang these lights? Tough to answer.

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Narsbars

Narsbars

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Conditions: 4x4 Tent 8 ft high. Two plants in 5 gal buckets with FF OF with perlite. 2nd week of 12/12. Plants about 20 inches tall.
Here is the challenge. I do not have a PAR meter or an app calibrated for my lights. I have three Viparspectra P1500s on the center support going across the tent with about six inches clearance on both sides. Every guide I read tells me roughly how high to hang ONE light that might be the same 4500 total but I have never found a reference without a PAR meter to even guess where or how high to hang the lights. Currently I am stuck with "hang em high" at about 22 inches and don't raise them until I see the leaf tips curling down or showing leaf tip burning signs.
Does anyone have any experience in using multiple lights"
 
BirdLaw86

BirdLaw86

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I can tell ya that if you see damage bc their too close then stick to keeping them farther back so not to damage the tissue in the leaf. Its better to have them asking for a little more light rather than frying them by hanging lights too close. I have 3 ft between my 2ft plant and the lights and shes loving it. Infact i have a 2nd high quality light and dont even use it bc when i did add in the extra light, the plant wilted and was looking like trash, I removed 2nd light and she bounced back like a beauty queen.
 
Narsbars

Narsbars

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I can tell ya that if you see damage bc their too close then stick to keeping them farther back so not to damage the tissue in the leaf. Its better to have them asking for a little more light rather than frying them by hanging lights too close. I have 3 ft. between my 2ft plant and the lights and she is loving it. In fact I have a 2nd high quality light and don't even use it bc when i did add in the extra light, the plant wilted and was looking like trash, I removed 2nd light and she bounced back like a beauty queen.
Thanks, I have noticed that just a couple of inches can make one of the plants stretch and increase the distance between nodes. I think I am going to have to break down and try to find the cash for a PAR meter.
 
mysticepipedon

mysticepipedon

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Looking at their PPFD maps, it seems like hanging them straight across wouldn't be the best configuration. That might be the only way you can hang them, though.

Because I've burned the shit out of my first two LED grows, I now hang them as high as possible and start at 50%, gradually going up unless/until I see signs of light stress.
 
Narsbars

Narsbars

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Looking at their PPFD maps, it seems like hanging them straight across wouldn't be the best configuration. That might be the only way you can hang them, though.

Because I've burned the shit out of my first two LED grows, I now hang them as high as possible and start at 50%, gradually going up unless/until I see signs of light stress.
Thanks, just can't figure out a good configuration with three. I would always have two in one area, 1 in another. A trusted site, Cocoforcannabis does PAR tests in real world conditions but even with their results just can't figure it out. I know I don't want burns but I also know I don't want excessive stretch due to low light. At least I will know the results in about 8 weeks.
 
growsince79

growsince79

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Conditions: 4x4 Tent 8 ft high. Two plants in 5 gal buckets with FF OF with perlite. 2nd week of 12/12. Plants about 20 inches tall.
Here is the challenge. I do not have a PAR meter or an app calibrated for my lights. I have three Viparspectra P1500s on the center support going across the tent with about six inches clearance on both sides. Every guide I read tells me roughly how high to hang ONE light that might be the same 4500 total but I have never found a reference without a PAR meter to even guess where or how high to hang the lights. Currently I am stuck with "hang em high" at about 22 inches and don't raise them until I see the leaf tips curling down or showing leaf tip burning signs.
Does anyone have any experience in using multiple lights"
I use 3 100w in my 2 x 4. If I use only one light at the end at 16", I need to raise to 22" when I turn the center light on. With all 3 lights on, the one in the middle needs to be a couple inches higher than the outsides to make it even.
 
Narsbars

Narsbars

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I use 3 100w in my 2 x 4. If I use only one light at the end at 16", I need to raise to 22" when I turn the center light on. With all 3 lights on, the one in the middle needs to be a couple inches higher than the outsides to make it even.
These are 150watt lights, but.......Damn! Sound of hand smacking forehead! Raising the middle light should have been as obvious as a 1lb cola. Thanks, will be adjusting that today.
 
dreamnfox

dreamnfox

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Thanks, I have noticed that just a couple of inches can make one of the plants stretch and increase the distance between nodes. I think I am going to have to break down and try to find the cash for a PAR meter.
You can get a free par/dli meter on google play. Its not as accurate as the real thing but its close enough.
 
Narsbars

Narsbars

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You can get a free par/dli meter on google play. Its not as accurate as the real thing but its close enough.
I have several but none of them have tested against the Viparspectra P1500s and when comparing a real test done by Cocoforcannabis none of the PARs are close enough to use. It may be my Pixel 3XL but I don't think so. I had one I tested and thought it would work out but was only in useable range when I used one light and got weird with more than one.
 
totamus

totamus

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I bought a PAR meter and do not regret it. I have 3 across the top of a 3x5. I hang them at max height and adjust the dimmers using the PAR for the levels I want. There is a lot of interaction between the lights and it takes meter to be able to adjust for your space.
 
FOE20

FOE20

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Watch how the plants respond cause a PAR meter in small enviros is kinda pointless....plus push PAR in bloom where its most effective...
growing is easy and cheap dont make it to complicate man....
but then just make adjustments and start lower watts at a higher distance....move closer and turn them up to get reaction..then find a sweet spot that works best for Your plants...and your self......gl
FOE20
 
GrowHobo

GrowHobo

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Are you running the same strains across the bored? Some like more or less imo the only way to really dial things in is by eye. Watch the plants. Make them pray but not too much if they pray like hell half of the day then flatten out half the day that’s pushing it. This is why I prefer multiple smaller lights as opposed to one big light. Fine control. Good luck
 
Narsbars

Narsbars

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Are you running the same strains across the bored? Some like more or less imo the only way to really dial things in is by eye. Watch the plants. Make them pray but not too much if they pray like hell half of the day then flatten out half the day that’s pushing it. This is why I prefer multiple smaller lights as opposed to one big light. Fine control. Good luck
Thanks, pretty much what I am doing now, they either stress or pray. Measuring to the top of the plants, both early bloom, and move up or down just a little but the damn sweet spots seems to be tiny.
 
DirtKing

DirtKing

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I didn't have time to read all of the replies but it sounds like you're going to have to regularly keep a close eye on the lights distance until the plants settle down.

Can you dim the lights? That would broaden that sweet spot... or in other words allow for more lax placement.

If you know other growers or have a dispensary nearby, try downloading a PAR meter app and dial it in/compare it side by side with their meter.

Good luck!
 
Narsbars

Narsbars

114
28
I didn't have time to read all of the replies but it sounds like you're going to have to regularly keep a close eye on the lights distance until the plants settle down.

Can you dim the lights? That would broaden that sweet spot... or in other words allow for more lax placement.

If you know other growers or have a dispensary nearby, try downloading a PAR meter app and dial it in/compare it side by side with their meter.

Good luck!
Thanks, I may need the luck. Been through the PAR apps and none of them even get close to a tested PAR map and then they don't seem to understand multiple lights. I always hate dimming lights as it seems I am wasting my investment .........I have to get over it....You might be right.
 
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