When it comes to setting up an LED grow light, there are a number of factors that come into effect. So, whether you’re planting flowering or vegetative crops, maximizing your yield, performing maintenance, or simply working with a designated area, they are all very important. If you select the appropriate coverage, you can easily achieve results above average. So, please read on as we dive into some tips on how to set up your LED grow light.
Your Goals
As we’ve mentioned before, this is pretty huge when you’re setting up grow lights. So, you’re going to need to establish what you’re hoping to achieve. You’re also going to need to consider the intensity that is necessary for the plants that you have, as well as catering for the phases which require a great deal of light.
Besides all that we’ve mentioned, there are still a few things to discuss. Plants can be categorized according to the following:
- *Short – Some plants flower when they are exposed to a long night period. When unachieved, they tend to remain in their vegetative mode of growth. These include plants such as rice, cotton, and even cannabis.
- *Long – Various plants flower better when they are exposed to shorter nights. Carnations, lettuce, and peas fall into this category.
- *Neutral – Plants within this section don’t flower based on their nightly exposure. They typically react with other stimuli in order to achieve a specific size or age. Cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and another strain of cannabis all fall into day-neutral plants.
Plant Lighting Intensity And Duration
Various plants require different amounts of light in order to achieve ideal growth, while flowering plants generally need much more light when they are experiencing vegetative growth. When plants receive light, it is usually dependent on how long they received it as well as the intensity of the source. Hence, there is an ideal DLI range, which ensures maximum production and growth. It should be noted that if your plants receive less than the required amount, growth falls to almost none.
In order to determine the intensity needed, we need to know how many photons are going to fall in a specific area. Photons usually fall in a scattered pattern as opposed to a straight line. Hence, the further away the lights are, the more photons will spread sideways. This then creates a larger footprint in your area. So, you’re going to need to position your lights properly.
How To Hang LED Grow Lights In A Tent
*Firstly, you’re going to need to connect the hanger loops and then connect them to a single end of the ratchet. Then you’re going to need to gently guide them around the top of the frame of your tent.
*As we’ve mentioned before, the distance plays a huge part when you set up LED grow lights. You’re going to need to use two more ratchets to connect the two loops of the metal hangers to each ratchet. Gently guide them to the side of the tent and properly secure them to the bottom.
*Next, you’re going to need to consider the height of the LED grow light. You’ll need to attach one loop from the arms to where they will be screwed in place. On the top of the loop, you’re going to need to screw the cap on and then simply hang the lamp with a piece of metal wire, hooks, or a ratchet.
If you’re using a grow tent, the above method can still be used. However, instead of placing the lamp on a hook, you’ll need to use a rod to secure it in place at the top of your grow tent. LED grow lights can also be hung without grow lights if you cross the arms and shorten them.
When it comes to hanging your LED grow light, you can even do so in tighter spaces. The procedure remains the same as above, but you’re going to need to reduce the distance between them. This can be done with the use of two rods as opposed to two at the top of your tent. There are several ways that can be used to hang your LED grow lights, and we’ve discussed the main ones.
As we conclude, we have just looked at some important tips as well as how to hang your LED grow light. So, remember, in order to determine the correct height for your plants, you’re going to need to know the PPFD of your plants. Additionally, you’re also going to need to ensure that your potential footprint is large enough to suit the designated area. If you’re having difficulty with these issues, you can always try to reduce the growing area that you currently have while allowing your plants to have minimal space; you can also customize your walls so that they become reflective.