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Grow lights on bottom of tent?
- Thread starter Benji1988
- Start date
Need2Know
New member
The bottom of leaves are for breathing, while the tops of leaves are for energy (photosynthesis). You would get little extra development for the cost of another light and the energy to run that light. Side lighting is better if you want to do it. The plants can handle that better.
golfnrl
Well-known member
It's an interesting question. Thx Need2Know for the reminder about photosynthesis. Not worth it IMHO. The best option for additional lighting is side lights. But they have limits and are not necessary. I'd consider extra lighting if I was struggling with larf or popcorn buds down low but the HLG lamp I'm using has great top down penetration, so that's not a problem.
Smallgrow
New member
It’s becoming widely accepted and somewhat researched that under or side canopy light does work, mainly to increase yeild and or improve lower bud quality.
For the record the underside of leaves are photosynthetic, their efficiency is much lower than the tops but it’s happening. I’ve been experimenting with a small amount of side light in my 3x3 with the AC infinity ion beam lights and it does improve my lower bud size and quality
there is quite a bit of info out here on the topic at his point have a look at what Chad has to say
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=29tWGvKHiFE&ra=m
For the record the underside of leaves are photosynthetic, their efficiency is much lower than the tops but it’s happening. I’ve been experimenting with a small amount of side light in my 3x3 with the AC infinity ion beam lights and it does improve my lower bud size and quality
there is quite a bit of info out here on the topic at his point have a look at what Chad has to say
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=29tWGvKHiFE&ra=m
Allotrope1000
Active member
Good knowledge here, Benji.
I am an outdoor grower, but let me toss out this trick.
I start my seedlings under a Viparspectra 100w, dimmable LED. To increase the light hitting the seedlings. I placed an old mirror on the bottom of the set up, reflecting the light back up. Free, easy, no extra light or cost.
You could get 12" x 12" mirrored panels at Home Depot or Loew's and put under your pots.
This pre-planting pic will give you a rough idea.
I am an outdoor grower, but let me toss out this trick.
I start my seedlings under a Viparspectra 100w, dimmable LED. To increase the light hitting the seedlings. I placed an old mirror on the bottom of the set up, reflecting the light back up. Free, easy, no extra light or cost.
You could get 12" x 12" mirrored panels at Home Depot or Loew's and put under your pots.
This pre-planting pic will give you a rough idea.
crucialbunny
New member
I don't grow under lights much anymore but when I did, using under canopy lights helped yield tremendously,
I never had much luck with mirrors. If Allotrope likes them for seedlings, then it must be good for that. Mirrors do absorb a lot of usable light and trap excess heat. Also, a question for crucialbunny. If you're under lights helped tremendously then why did you stop using them? Just curious
crucialbunny
New member
I'm typically an outdoor grower here in So.Cal but when auto flowers were newly introduced I used the opportunity to try some winter grows. I was less than impressed with the yields. Then I read an article about under canopy lighting and I jerry rigged some wand style grow lights to work from below. The results were significant. Eventually I just tired of all the monitoring and effort required for indoor grows and stepped away.
Allotrope1000
Active member
Hey, Chipmunk!
My preferred grow is outside, in a greenhouse, in the winter (I live in the SW desert). Room for 12 plants (max state legal homegrow), and plenty of bud. I have yard space for my set up, a 20' x 10' x 6.5' polytunnel. I can keep temps between 65° to 85°F and 45% to 55% RH. No bugs or fungus. Plants protected from inclement weather. It is a real growing sweet spot. Plants flourish. Almost hassle free. Need to mix a lot of nutes and pH'd water, though. Maybe fewer plants? (Nah!) Sorry to hear you don't do outdoor grows anymore.
On an earlier post, I had the mirror and just put it over the heating mat. I figured a little reflected light wouldn't hurt. It also provides a smooth hard surface that is easier to keep seedling area clean. Regards.
My preferred grow is outside, in a greenhouse, in the winter (I live in the SW desert). Room for 12 plants (max state legal homegrow), and plenty of bud. I have yard space for my set up, a 20' x 10' x 6.5' polytunnel. I can keep temps between 65° to 85°F and 45% to 55% RH. No bugs or fungus. Plants protected from inclement weather. It is a real growing sweet spot. Plants flourish. Almost hassle free. Need to mix a lot of nutes and pH'd water, though. Maybe fewer plants? (Nah!) Sorry to hear you don't do outdoor grows anymore.
On an earlier post, I had the mirror and just put it over the heating mat. I figured a little reflected light wouldn't hurt. It also provides a smooth hard surface that is easier to keep seedling area clean. Regards.
Allotrope1000
Active member
Here are some pics of my setup.
