Lighting question please

[oldcoot]

I have been growing with 2- 135 watt ufo's in a small cabinet.(actual is 140 for both )
I want to buy a new light at 360 to 400 watt max because my space is only about 5 square ft.
Now every time i grow, my plants get within mere inches of my lights and i do not get any light burn or bleaching.
My question is these new lights are now 5 watt, do i need to keep them alot further away from my plants, like im reading- 12 to 24 inches away?
They will not work for my space then because my plants always get very close to the lights and thats supercropping, lst, etc.
And, or does just increasing my actual wattage up to 200 will cause problems.
Thanks for the reply in advance.

 

[Chester]

I wouldn't go to a larger wattage LED if you don't have the height for it ...

 

[oldcoot]

Hey chester, thanks. Here,s the thing. From what i've read i should go for around 40 watt per square.
Im only 4.5 square but thats 180 actual watts.
Im at 140 now but was thinking of uping it to 200.
Actual dims are 1.5'x3'x4.5' high.
What if i can still find 3 watt led's .
Am i right in thinking 3 arent as strong, hot, whatever and can be closer like i have now, only uping the wattage 60 more?

 

[Chester]

I aim for 50 watts per square foot minimum ... something under 300 watts sounds good to me ... should be able to find something w/ 3 watts LEDs that would work for you ...

 

[bad dragon bzzz]

I grow in an oblong cupboard 2x4 feet.have had 3 lights all were oblong shape with 3w and rated at 120/180/288w.true watts 2/3 ish ?

 

[oldcoot]

ok thanks guys for the input.
My plants get within 6 inches alot of the time.
lookimg at the mars hydro but seems their all 5 watt now.
I really like led but still need to get close in flowering.
Plus i have 3 t5's on the sides i use once the plants are in flower and higher than the lights which is about a foot up running vertically.
have to look around.
50 sounds good to me, i'll see if i can find 2 decent 150's or a single 300.
would prefer 2 though.
any suggestions ?
Tried to rep ya chester but i cant.











l

 

[Chester]

Why not one more of the UFOs you have ...

 

[oldcoot]

Hmmm, good point.
Ha. Never entered my mind.
Dont think there's room for 3 Though.

 

[Marshydro]

The lights are upgrated to 5w now, but the actual wattage doesn't increase a lot.
I do admit the heat will be a little higher, so we also add the heat sink, so the light will not give out much more heat than 3w ones.

 

[oldcoot]

Thanks tina. My plants get very close to my lights.
I mean inches.
I think your lights are good if no height restrictions, and i would buy them but for extremely close quarters i have been reading 5 watt is just to much.
Shame you stopped making 3 watt for the micro growers.
But i understand money is the bottom line.
I will be keeping an eye on your company though.
Thanks tina.