backinthegrow
Member
Hey now! Is a dimmable option important to anyone? I'll be using a 3x3 tent and prob only 1 plant.
Thanks for any info.
Thanks for any info.
Dimmable Important?
- Thread starter backinthegrow
- Start date
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
It can be, what light are you thinking about using?
backinthegrow
Member
Thanks. I'm looking at this one most seriously: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/lamps/products/hlg-100-rspec
But I am considering Spider if dimmable matters.
But I am considering Spider if dimmable matters.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
Well that is a good light. I run an HLG 600 in a 4x4 and the plants love it. Dimming should not matter in your space with this light as it is only 100 watts. I veg at 300 watts and now in flower I am at 600 watts. The more powerful the light the more dimming is useful but in your case you dont really need it IMO. With only 1 plant it would work great. If you do buy that light dont forget to use the RIU10 coupon for 10% discount.
backinthegrow
Member
Awesome!. HLG is the one. That was my final concern. Coming soon - my first grow in 32 yrs.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
Awesome, welcome back to the hobby and to RIU.
Major Blazer
Well-Known Member
You didn't ask but my $.02, 100w in a 3x3 is about 1/3 the light you should be aiming for. I did many a grow in a 3x3 and 260-300 is about perfect. That 100 would be fine for veg though. I actually used an older version of https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-qb-v2-rspec-led-kit and it was great. Maybe consider a 2x2 if budget is a limiting factor. You'll get more bang for your buck with that lamp in a 2x2
backinthegrow
Member
Thanks. I haven't bought the tent yet, and I was looking at 2x2. Glad you added your $.02
Major Blazer
Well-Known Member
Mars makes a nice 2x2 bc it's actually 2.3x2.3 but here's what 200w of LED is doing for mine right now just to give you an idea (1 plant):
Major Blazer
Well-Known Member
It's also got more headroom than most 2x2's
backinthegrow
Member
63 height is my max. I was looking at this one. Do you think my lamp is ok in this one?
Major Blazer
Well-Known Member
Using watts per sq foot as a unit of measure, it is generally accepted that 30w of LED per sq ft is an ideal sweet spot. That Mars tent is about 5 sq ft so with 100w you end up with 20w per sq ft. I think it will be fine honestly and you'll have room to grow if you add another 50-100w down the line. Of course you could opt for a different lamp with 150w, like https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/135w-qb-v2-rspec-led-kit
backinthegrow
Member
Appreciate the math. I was planning to build a board down the line. Since this is my first time back, I'll work with the 100w for now and grow from here.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Major Blazer
Well-Known Member
Also if 63" is your max headroom, 3x3's aren't a great option anyway since most (if not all) of them are 72" high. You'll appreciate that Mars tent for it's headroom. Here's where I'm at, lamp is up about as high as it can go with yo-yo pullies
backinthegrow
Member
Looking really good! I can't wait to get started. Cheers!
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
That HLG will be perfectly fine for his 1 plant goal IMO.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
You might want to get the HLG 135 Rspec instead. That's a great light, and dimmable.
SnidleyBluntash
Well-Known Member
I made sure to get a dimmable light becuase for seedling stage. And power consumption. Why go full blast on a plant that is 1cm big.
cardgenius
Active Member
Id get one that’s dimmable if you plan to use it for vegging and flowering. You don’t need 300w for veg and would be a waste of money/electricity.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
The light he is looking at is only 100 watts, he wont get 300 for veg without buying 3 of them. I use 300 watts for veg to cover a full 4x4 tent but the OP is not going that big.