Reddit reviews Apollo Horticulture GL100X3 Full Spectrum 300W LED Grow Light for Indoor Plant Growing

So is a 300w LED good enough for a 2x4 grow space

edit: this is the model if that helps any

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGG1HDM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_i7j-ub17QAJQV

If you can spend a few bucks, a light meter will help you get an idea of how much more you need: http://smile.amazon.com/Dr-Meter-Light-LX1010B-display-Luxmeter/dp/B004K0A7I6

My 2'x4' indoor setup has six T8 fluorescents and is pumping out about 12,000 lux. Different plants require different amounts, but I suspect you're not going to get much in the way of results if you are below about 5,000 lux. It's hard to have too much light.

Fluorescents are fine but you sometimes need several of them. Big tube fluorescent bulbs (T12) are the least efficient, T8 is better and T5 is best though initial price goes up with those. Generally, just a few decent T8 warm-white bulbs should be enough.

LED lights are coming down in price while rapidly improving in quality. My next lighting upgrade will probably be something along the lines of these models: http://smile.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GL100LED-Spectrum-Growing/dp/B00FGG1HDM

You can also wrap some mylar around your growing area to make sure any escaping light gets reflected back in and the plants get as much as possible. This is the cheapest way to increase your light absorption though it obviously is limited by the lights in the first place.

Things get more complicated if you're growing flowering plants (they are more particular about requiring certain wavelengths). But for growing garden herbs, edible greens, things like that, you can keep things pretty simple.

Thank you very much! Do you have any lights to recommend in the price range? Or should I look for the three fan mars? Or just go for the Apollo? This is the one I am thinking.

http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GL100LED-Spectrum-Growing/dp/B00FGG1HDM

EDIT:
This is the mars-hydro I am thinking about
http://m.ebay.com/itm/390567591853?_mwBanner=1

I also found this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FGG1HDM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00FGG1HDM&linkCode=as2&tag=plantozoidrev-20&linkId=ZLMZZZW27O6CVCL5

Obviously that one would be better but is more expensive and slightly out of my price range. Am I better off to save for that one? I don't have a lot of space and really just want 1-3 plants.

Thanks for helping me figure out my wattage! I'm running on approximately a 2' X 2' area, so I think I will need. Do you think I can make two plants fit in there?

I think I'm gonna go with this LED light

I'm pretty happy with LEDs. About a year ago I replaced my HID setup with a bunch of cheap Chinese LEDs. With multiple smaller LEDs I can spread out the light to a much larger area. I can adjust the height of lamps individually to better suit the plants they cover. Install is easier and I have less problems with cooling now too -- I no longer need to run A/C in the summer. The quality of my produce (medicinal marijuana) is more consistently good.

For me it's a question of convenience, practicality, and consistent quality; I think it's worth the extra $$ for LEDs.

I was worried the cheap off-brand LEDs would be bad, but my results have been excellent (100% of patients prefer the LED-grown produce). I don't understand why people pay thousands for the large premium systems.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FGG1HDM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1406422018&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40


Okay, this model seems to be a 110x3w? I am being convinced from all sides that LED is the way to veg these days, but I know comparatively nothing about them, last I remember even looking at them, the UFO was the latest and greatest and it was prohibitively expensive.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JM8Y3B8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1406422304&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70Is that the one you're upgrading to? Why are you upgrading to that one but suggesting a smaller light?

Thank you so much for your response and help.

I'll post a picture of the manufacture label when I get home. Here's a link to the 300 watt LED...

Apollo Horticulture GL100LED Full Spectrum 300W LED Grow Light for Indoor Plant Growing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGG1HDM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_xPOaub04CP7EQ

for around the same price as the 700w I could get two of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GL100LED-Spectrum-Growing/dp/B00FGG1HDM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=full+spectrum+LED+grow

thoughts?

square footage of the box?

I like this 300w one.

• theres always time to build another box :p

I feel like LED's are growing in popularity and are becoming more widely accepted as alternatives to HPS/MH lighting as the technology improves and prices begin to fall, but I'm curious as to why someone would choose a 100w Solarspec for $350 when you could pick up a 700w Apollo LED grow light for the same price. Just from reading on the SolarSpec website, these things seem pretty legit, but as with any new LED tech the prices are going to be a little inflated towards the earlier stages of business.