Guidance requested - Mars II 400W or 700W for box

[DownLowGrow]

Stealth box is 27"w x 18"d x 48"h (roughly a 3 sq/ft. horizontal growing area). I do not want to use CFL, it's time to experiment with LED in this new box.

Grow will be two autoflowers in a drip/dwc system, may employ LST or scrog based on growth.

Would the 700W Mars II be too much light for this space? While I think the 400W might be "adequate" I'm definitely willing to spend the extra $100 or so for the 700W. Either way I would choose their standard spectrum.

I obviously don't want to overpower the plants but I also don't want to skimp on lighting.

[edit] The 700 would also allow me to eventually use it in a larger space

 

[Hosebomber]

For an area that small with such little head room I would go with the reflector series 96x3.

 

[DownLowGrow]

Thanks for your suggestion - and for your "The basics of plant lighting" thread which was very informative.

I would like to try to understand why you suggest the reflector - is it mainly the 3W led's versus the 5W? or the lenses?

Are you thinking that the Mars II would just fry the plants?

 

[Hosebomber]

The purpose of LEDs is to provide the best light with the lowest power consumption. The main advantage of going 3 watt over 1 watt or 5 watt over 3 watt is the canopy penetration. The reflector series will give you more than adequate coverage with lower power consumption, less heat, and a lower start-up cost.