In a perfect world how far from the canopy would you like your lights?

How far away from your plants would you like your light (take coverage out of the equation for a moment). Just strictly convenience.

Limited headroom (7'), so I'd love about 2.5'+ between the tops of the plants and my light. I'd like to see the canopy without it being shrouded by lighting and obstructing my view of the plants or needing to be raised and lowered back.....in a perfect world of course. This has been my sole turnoff about upgrading my t5's with quantum boards in my momma room.

there's this point, right below the spot that will crisp my tops, and thats my perfect height.
sometimes I crisp them all to my desired canopy even.
seriously though, 11 foot ceilings with light movers.....bare bulbs caress plant parts from one end to the other here with no issue, moving in and out, bending and tipping colas to and fro with each cycle.

If we take coverage out of the equation I guess this depends on the growers circumstances, because lets say you have height restrictions so obviously the closer the better. On the other hand if you are in a warehouse or have lots of height it may be better to have a large space between lights and the canopy. This is also more convenient because lights will not need to be raised so frequently ,specifically in larger grows.

2-3 feet is pretty ideal for me, I can have an inconsistent canopy and still get even coverage. The shades should cover the led from my eyes while standing. Plants get lost of side on lighting from naboring lights. and I mostly dont hit my head on the shades

I feel like right up against the plant at really low power makes a lot of sense . 8-12"

For "normal" horizontal cultivation 24" distance to canopy but the light also needs to still be able to penetrate 24" deep into the canopy from that height with good production.

For rack systems 6-12"

psychedelicdaddi said:

I feel like right up against the plant at really low power makes a lot of sense . 8-12"

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If you want a single layer scrog. That will produce shwag for sure for those growing taller upright plants.

This one comes down to budget, so in a perfect world since budget isnt a concern, meaning space and power consumption are also not a concern (because in a perfect world we have an endless supply of everything we want or need) get a light emmiting surface (or even a spray on membrane) as close to or even directly on or touching plant, operating at the lowest possible drive current.

Either that or I'll take the light source thats 93 million miles above my canopy....

For convenience and safety I like my lights below my eyes.

It depends on the intensity of the light source.

mc130p said:

It depends on the intensity of the light source.

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No, the question is about what you would like from a convenience point of view. ie they want to design a fixture to fit a market.

Oddly enough everybody seems to be answering what they think is the best height for their current light.

wietefras said:

No, the question is about what you would like from a convenience point of view. ie they want to design a fixture to fit a market.

Oddly enough everybody seems to be answering what they think is the best height for their current light.

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24" gives a comfortable space for reaching over working on plants without having to raise the fixtures up every time you need to get in there

wietefras said:

Oddly enough everybody seems to be answering what they think is the best height for their current light.

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You don't think they're answering based on their current grow space? That would make more sense to me.

24 inches. Room to look over plants, work on plants, and not have to raise the lights everyday as the plants grow.

^^^ same for me

OneHitDone said:

24" gives a comfortable space for reaching over working on plants without having to raise the fixtures up every time you need to get in there

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Yep that's my view as well. Not so high as to run out of room but the heck With running them like t5s lol.

Stephenj37826 said:

How far away from your plants would you like your light (take coverage out of the equation for a moment). Just strictly convenience.

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149,600,000 kilometers ,best penetration ,but thats like in a "perfect" world

kony brado said:

149,600,000 kilometers ,best penetration ,but thats like in a "perfect" world

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that was my vote (300 million miles)

ill settle for 33" +

CobKits said:

that was my vote (300 million miles)

ill settle for 33" +

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Wrong conversion factor bro.

24'' good air flow, high enough to mange cables easy. less moving lights up and down.