I’m trying to get creative with my space and limited resources, I have one 13×8 Viparspectra p700 light for my tomatoes (black seed sells) and basil/cilantro (brown seed cells). I currently have the power to 100% to make sure all of the plants get adequate light. Is the light going to be too strong for my plants or will it be okay? I just moved the tomato’s off the heat mat today and under the light. My plan is to get another light eventually but not this week.
First timer here.
by StandardWonderful22
10 Comments
Not familiar with that particular light but I’d say no, it’s kinda hard for the light to be too strong. U may even want to lower it a little
Heat mat could have been the issue. What’s the room temp?
I suggest downloading a free PPFD app to measure the strength. That’s the photosynthesis part of thr light.
I use Photone and like between 200 and 300 PPFD at the canopy of the seedlings. I don’t measure just directly under the lights but across the growing zone as there can be dips.
As seedlings get older they can handle more PPFD. I have a dimmer on mine and I’m able to get 300 PPFD at about 1 ft away at 50%.
Check out videos on yt to see how far away you should position the light. Since your seedlings are just sprouting, this light should actually be about 2-3 inches away from the soil. People put the light almost on top of the soil in the beginning lol
Most of these grow lights have guidelines to start with. Always start at the manufacturers guidelines and adjust from there; I would recommend doing some light googling/research (watch a vid or two) on that specific model. From the [Growace](https://growace.com/products/viparspectra-p700-70w-dimmable-led-grow-light?srsltid=AfmBOooksuyrpLigYkEUoXfVQ5_0EPKHtVfYxjHoIAh99CQURbJndW2R), they have the following specs for the P700 (70W):
Vegetative Coverage 2 x 2 ft at 14 inches hanging height
Flowering Coverage 1.5 x 1.5 ft at 9 inches hanging height
You’re getting really bad advice from these comments so far. The lights can absolutely be too strong. Download the Photone app and make a diffuser with a piece of paper so you can measure the amount of light.
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Update: I’ve raised my light to be 21 inches away at 25% power which more closely follows the guidelines for this light. (24 inches – 25% power)
There is no amount of light you can pull from a 15w outlet that will be as bright as the sun.
There’s almost no way your lights can be “too bright” for plants that are genetically designed to exist in and subsist from natural sunlight.
Anything over 60 watts needs to be over 6 inches away from the top of the plant