Different Grow Lights for Tent Cultivation
Traditionally , indoor growers have the luxury of purchasing grow lights according to the needs of a custom-built room . Here is a brief look at how different grow lights function in grow tents .
• Single-Ended High-Pressure Sodium
Single-ended high-pressure sodium ( SE HPS ) lights have been the go-to lights for cannabis growers for decades because they work well for both vegetative growth and flowering . In addition , SE HPS lights are affordable and offer a wide spectrum of usable PAR light for cannabis plants . SE HPS lights are a very attractive option for novice tent growers who are operating on a tight budget . While these lights emit a good deal of heat , the hot air can be expelled with hoods , ducting , and an inline fan . Even more , you can position the lights within a couple of feet of your garden canopy , which is ideal for tent cultivation . SE HPS lights work with grow tents . Yet , the additional hoods , fans , and ducting needed to make them function can be a real hindrance when it comes to workspace . Moreover , it can be difficult to properly position all this equipment within the tight confines of a tent .
• Double-Ended High-Pressure Sodium
Over the past decade , double-ended high-pressure sodium ( DE HPS ) lights have taken the cannabis industry by storm . Due to their uniform and intense PAR light output , many of today ’ s commercial producers use DE HPS lights . While DE HPS lights have proven their worth in large commercial growrooms and greenhouses , they simply are not designed for the confines of a tent . Due to the strength of the light they emit , DE HPS fixtures must be hung at a minimum three to five feet above a garden canopy . Even more , these lights are notorious for running excessively hot . As seen with SE HPS lights , DE versions come with air-cooling options . However , the lights still run overly hot for a grow tent . This fact , coupled with the need to hang them far above the garden canopy , make them impractical for grow tents . Any attempts to utilize a DE HPS light for a grow tent would require a good deal of custom work and this extra effort counteracts the convenience of using a tent in the first place .
• Light Emitting Diode ( LED )
Light-emitting diode ( LED ) lights represent the latest revolution in grow light technology . Originally , LEDs only utilized blue- and red-light spectrums geared largely for the vegetative growth of cannabis . However , the last few years have given rise to full-spectrum LED lights that produce enough PAR light to grow huge cannabis flowers . One of the largest selling points of LEDs is the fact they run extremely cool . Moreover , most LEDs work best when positioned close to a garden canopy , at a space of around 18 inches . Looking at these facts , the primary drawback of LEDs is their price , as they are more expensive than other options , though prices are coming down . LEDs work well in grow tents because they run at cool temperatures and can be hung close to the garden canopy . Even more , their cool-running temperature lessens the need for bulky equipment add-ons such as hoods , fans , and ducting . LEDs will save you heartache during the planning stage and allow for more square footage to work within your tent .
Which Light is Best for Cultivating Cannabis in a Tent ?
It cannot be denied , grow tents are here to stay . Whether you are a seasoned veteran or newbie grower , it ’ s likely you can find a practical use for these convenient kits . However , there are some important considerations to make when planning such operations . After carefully weighing the options , we feel that LED lights are best suited for the task of grow tent cultivation . Looking at the main challenges of grow tents in terms of space , temperature , and airflow , LEDs simplify your setup by eliminating the need for elaborate air-cooling in a small space . This simplification also creates room to work within your tent and lessens the need for intricate planning . LEDs are specifically engineered to function in extremely close proximity to plants , thus increasing the benefit .
In the end , planning an indoor grow operation should be a marriage of form and function . When you begin adding a ton of extras to make a single piece of equipment work , it is likely that piece of equipment simply isn ’ t suited for the task .
46 Maximum Yield