Side Lighting

Have a 2x4 with an hlg 225 and hlg 100.
3 plants. 7 gallon soil

Side lighting be helpful? Anything else?

225 on the right sode of tent with this plant





quantum board on left with this plant.

Yes, I give sidelighting in dark areas and it defo fattens the buds below

I use side lighting as well, I don't notice a big difference but feel like it can't hurt.I do have to be careful with heat, so my side lighting is only 40 w each. If heat is not an issue definitely go for it.

budman111 said:

Yes, I give sidelighting in dark areas and it defo fattens the buds below

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ThankS
Any recommendations on brands/lights? Its in a flowering tent

I'd focus on getting a better light above the plants instead. Side light should be achieved with reflective walls/panels. I take 1" foam with a reflective side and do a "V" pattern around my plants like they're getting a sun tan lol. It blasts light up into the canopy from the HPS. In a tent your already fully reflective so instead of side lighting to achieve larger buds why not just get a better primary light?

I tend to agree. Leaves are thin so why light the edge? Makes little sense.

Fardsnarp said:

I tend to agree. Leaves are thin so why light the edge? Makes little sense.

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It makes sense in bloom. The buds develop tons of leaves that can accept light from the sides or even bottom of the plant. I've experimented with reflective walls, sun tan style reflection (like putting one of those funny metal things at an angle on your neck) and hanging LED fixtures sideways.

In my experience "side lighting" is going to fill in the lower buds a lot better, the same result can be achieved with proper reflectivity in the grow space, especially with HPS, CMH etc.. LED does tend to shoot more of a square direct downward light but that doesn't mean the light that bounces off the wall/floor isn't useful.

Again though, I would focus on a better primary light above the plant and if you have problems with light penetration maybe look into strategic defoliation to get more light down into the canopy and on the lower buds.

Not sure your set up warrants side lighting right now but if you get chance and they still available check put the aussie grow lights thread and look for buddies or something along those lines.

They are stick on LED strings designed by a grower for that purpose. Water proof and high efficiency

I have a load but never got round to using them because I had to pack up when I moved.

Bigger tent will get you the best return if you can fit it. 4x4 is a lot more sq footage.