PhytoMAX-2 Knowledge Center
PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights Knowledge Center
This guide to PhytoMAX-2 LED grow light panels is a brief overview, filled with links to a lot more in-depth information.
In the box you'll find:
- 1 new PhytoMAX-2 LED growlight!
- An 8-foot, 14 gauge 120V North American outlet (NEMA 5-15) power cord
- Find various length heavy duty power cords in both 120V and 240V for purchase.
- If you need a power cord for another country, click here.
- 1 pair commercial LED hanger clips
- 1 pair Heavy Duty Ratcheting Light Hangers
Please save the protective foam and box your light came in!
Safety
- Be careful while hanging your PhytoMAX-2 LED plant growing lights; they're heavy, do not attempt to hang the lights alone!
- NEVER look directly at the LEDs while they are on; eye damage may result. They're very bright!
- Don't over-load your electrical circuits- two PhytoMAX-2 800's / PhytoMAX-2 1000's won't fit on a standard 15-amp, 110V household circuit!
- For more information and advice, consult your electrician and see our LED grow lights per circuit calculator here.
- We recommend protective eyewear when viewing or working with plants under our lights. PhytoMAX-2 contains UV LEDs, which just like natural sunlight can irritate and damage your eyes. Any UV-blocking eyewear such as sunglasses will work!
Hanging your Light
- We recommend tying a stopper knot at the lose end of the rope to prevent over-extension of each of the ratcheting rope hangers.
- DO NOT attempt to hang a PhytoMAX-2 light alone- at least two people are recommended!
- Ensure that the structure you'll be hanging the light from can support its weight plus some extra for cords, etc.
Imperial Metric
Light Weight PhytoMAX-2 1000 53 lb24 kg PhytoMAX-2 800 50 lb22.7 kg PhytoMAX-2 600 34 lb15.4 kg PhytoMAX-2 400 24 lb10.9 kg PhytoMAX-2 200 14 lb6.4 kg - Insert a metal hanger clip into the hanging bracket either side of the back of the light. Ensure that both ends of each clip are secure.
- Clip one end of each of the ratcheting rope hangers to the hanging/anchor point on the ceiling, and the other end to the metal hanger clips attached to the light. The ropes should be hanging straight, not pulling the hanging brackets toward or away from the center of the light.
- Adjust the ratchet to hang the light at the recommended height.
- Ensure there is always a minimum of 6 inches / 15 cm15 cm / 6 inches of clearance on both sides of the light that have vents. Failure to provide adequate clearance can cause the light to overheat. The sides without vents and the top of the light do not require any clearance.
Recommendations for Proper Use
The footprint recommendations given here are created for photoperiod-sensitive Cannabis or other high-light plants in a square growing area. If your situation is any different (larger, smaller, different crop, etc.) you may need a different footprint size and hanging height.
For a complete guide to footprint issues, see our guide to the ideal LED grow light setup.
Imperial Metric
| Light Model | Max. Recommended Vegetative | Max. Recommended Flower | Medium Recommended Flower** | Smallest Recommended Flower** | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area (feet)(cm) |
Average PPFD* (μMol/m2/s) |
H.H. (in)(cm) |
Area (feet)(cm) |
Average PPFD* (μMol/m2/s) |
H.H. (in)(cm) |
Area (feet)(cm) |
Average PPFD* (μMol/m2/s) |
H.H. (in)(cm) |
Area (feet)(cm) |
Average PPFD* (μMol/m2/s) |
H.H. (in)(cm) |
|
| PhytoMAX-2 200 | 3.75 x 3.75115 x 115 | 211209 | 2768 | 3 x 390 x 90 | 330341 | 2153 | 2.25 x 2.2565 x 65 | 587653 | 1641 | 1.75 x 1.7555 x 55 | 971913 | 1334 |
| PhytoMAX-2 400 | 5.25 x 5.25160 x 160 | 215216 | 3897 | 4.25 x 4.25130 x 130 | 329327 | 3077 | 3 x 395 x 95 | 660612 | 2154 | 2.5 x 2.575 x 75 | 951982 | 1846 |
| PhytoMAX-2 600 | 6.5 x 6.5200 x 200 | 211207 | 47119 | 5 x 5155 x 155 | 356345 | 3693 | 3.75 x 3.75115 x 115 | 634627 | 2769 | 3 x 395 x 95 | 990918 | 2156 |
| PhytoMAX-2 800 | 7.5 x 7.5230 x 230 | 211209 | 54137 | 6 x 6185 x 185 | 330323 | 43110 | 4.5 x 4.5135 x 135 | 588606 | 3282 | 3.5 x 3.5110 x 110 | 971913 | 2563 |
| PhytoMAX-2 1000 | 8 x 8250 x 250 | 232221 | 57150 | 6.5 x 6.5200 x 200 | 352345 | 47121 | 5 x 5150 x 150 | 596614 | 3692 | 4 x 4120 x 120 | 930959 | 2976 |
* Average PPFD measurements are over the entire footprint, edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner, based on reflective surroundings or adjacent lights.
** When growing in an area smaller than the Medium Recommended Flower Footprint, CO2 supplementation is generally required to make full use of the additional light.
- Vegetative vs. Flower
- The Phyto-Genesis Spectrum® in each PhytoMAX-2 light is ideal for both vegetative and flowering growth; only the largest recommended footprint size differs between stages, due to the different daily periods of illumination. You can use the flowering footprint sizes for vegetative growth, although you may need to increase fertilizer and CO2 to make full use of the extra light.
- Maximum Recommended Footprint Size
- This is as much as we recommend stretching our LED growing lights for photoperiod-sensitive Cannabis, but running them over a smaller footprint (to a point) will give a higher yield per square foot. Other crops (including auto-flowering Cannabis ruderalis strains) may have different ideal footprints.
- Hanging Height (H.H.)
- This is the recommended height of the bottom of your PhytoMAX-2 light, measured above the average top of the plant canopy. The higher you hang the light, the bigger (and weaker) its footprint will be; hanging it closer makes the light more intense but also decreases the footprint. To determine the ideal hanging height for any size footprint, use our convenient hanging height calculator!
PhytoMAX-2 Growing Tips
There are two important differences when growing with PhytoMAX-2 LEDs:
- We recommend keeping your growing area 9-10 °F5 °C warmer than you would with other lights (85 °F29 °C for Cannabis) to maximize yield.
- This is because our lights are designed for plants, not humans.
- For more information, see our complete study on leaf surface temperature and grow lights.
- If not growing hydroponically, we recommend using fabric pots with our lights; they allow soil to dry out more quickly since our lights aren't heating it as much. This allows faster nutrient cycling and encourages a better root system.
- If you are going to burn sulfur in your growing area, remove the lights from the area, or turn lights off and seal in plastic during the sulfur treatment. Failure to do so will void your warranty!
For a complete guide, see our article on maximizing yield with LED grow lights and our expert growing tips for Cannabis.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If your light requires cleaning:
- Turn off the light and disconnect the power cord.
- Spray water or a mild glass cleaner onto a soft lint-free towel (NOT onto the LEDs on the bottom of the light!)
- Gently blot the LEDs with the moist towel until clean. DO NOT RUB THE LEDs!
- Allow to air-dry, then plug your light back in and turn it on.
- NEVER spray any liquids directly on or around the LEDs!
If you are going to burn sulfur in your growing area, remove the lights from the area, or turn lights off and seal in plastic during the sulfur treatment. Failure to do so will void your warranty!
Issues and Questions
Black Dog LED wants you to be satisfied with your PhytoMAX-2 light!
Please note that our LED growing lights contain infrared and ultraviolet diodes that are outside of humans' visual range, so it is normal for some of the LEDs to appear dim or unlit.
If you have any questions or issues with your lights' function, please contact Black Dog LED, not the store it was purchased from. You can:
- Call us at 720-420-1209
- Contact us online here
Specifications
Imperial Metric
Common to All PhytoMAX-2 Lights:
| Acceptable voltage range | 100 - 250 volts AC |
|---|---|
| AC frequency range | 50 - 60 Hz |
| Operational temperature range | -4 to 104 °F-20 to 40 °C |
| Spectrum | Phyto-Genesis Spectrum® covering 365-750nm, including UV and IR |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
| Certifications | ETL, CE, FCC, RoHS |
| M.T.B.F | > 50,000 hours |
| Power Factor | > 0.98 |
| Fans | 70,000 hour expected life |
The Phyto-Genesis Spectrum®:
Model Specifics:
Imperial Metric
| Light | Wattage (average) | Total Fixture Photon Flux (μMol/s) | # LEDs | BTUs | Size (LxWxH) (inches)(cm) |
Weight (pounds)(kg) |
Amps (average) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300-800nm | UV (<400nm) | PAR (400-700nm) | IR (>700nm) | 120V | 240V | ||||||
| PhytoMAX-2 1000 | 1050 | 1602 | 73 | 1485 | 47 | 420 | 3581 | 21 x 21 x 753 x 53 x 17 | 5324 | 8.8 | 4.4 |
| PhytoMAX-2 800 | 840 | 1282 | 58 | 1188 | 38 | 336 | 2864 | 21 x 21 x 753 x 53 x 17 | 5022.7 | 7 | 3.5 |
| PhytoMAX-2 600 | 630 | 961 | 44 | 891 | 28 | 252 | 2148 | 18.75 x 18.75 x 548 x 48 x 13 | 3415.4 | 5.3 | 2.6 |
| PhytoMAX-2 400 | 420 | 641 | 29 | 594 | 19 | 168 | 1432 | 15.75 x 15.75 x 540 x 40 x 13 | 2410.9 | 3.5 | 1.8 |
| PhytoMAX-2 200 | 210 | 320 | 15 | 297 | 9 | 84 | 716 | 12 x 12 x 531 x 31 x 13 | 146.4 | 1.8 | 0.9 |
Total flux numbers from integration sphere tests of the entire fixture. Note that total photon flux is the entire photon output of the light (PF / PPF, in μMol/s), and not the measurement at a particular point under the light (PFD / PPFD, in μMol/m2/s). When measured at a particular point, the PFD / PPFD can be much higher or lower than the total photon flux.
Footprint Coverage for Average PPFD
This table shows what footprint each model of light will cover to achieve a specific average photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). The PPFD is averaged every square inchcentimeter over the entire footprint size given, edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner. For example, the PhytoMAX-2 200 provides an average of 100 μMol/m2/s (PPFD) over a 29.7 square foot2.76 square meter area.
Imperial Metric
| Light | PPFD (μMol/m2/s) Average over Entire Footprint Area | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | |
| PhytoMAX-2 200 |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
9.9 ft2 (3.1 x 3.1 ft)0.92 m2 (0.96 x 0.96 m) |
7.4 ft2 (2.7 x 2.7 ft)0.69 m2 (0.83 x 0.83 m) |
5.9 ft2 (2.4 x 2.4 ft)0.55 m2 (0.74 x 0.74 m) |
5.0 ft2 (2.2 x 2.2 ft)0.46 m2 (0.68 x 0.68 m) |
4.2 ft2 (2.1 x 2.1 ft)0.39 m2 (0.63 x 0.63 m) |
3.7 ft2 (1.9 x 1.9 ft)0.35 m2 (0.59 x 0.59 m) |
3.3 ft2 (1.8 x 1.8 ft)0.31 m2 (0.55 x 0.55 m) |
3.0 ft2 (1.7 x 1.7 ft)0.28 m2 (0.53 x 0.53 m) |
| PhytoMAX-2 400 |
59.5 ft2 (7.7 x 7.7 ft)5.53 m2 (2.35 x 2.35 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
19.8 ft2 (4.5 x 4.5 ft)1.84 m2 (1.36 x 1.36 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
11.9 ft2 (3.4 x 3.4 ft)1.11 m2 (1.05 x 1.05 m) |
9.9 ft2 (3.1 x 3.1 ft)0.92 m2 (0.96 x 0.96 m) |
8.5 ft2 (2.9 x 2.9 ft)0.79 m2 (0.89 x 0.89 m) |
7.4 ft2 (2.7 x 2.7 ft)0.69 m2 (0.83 x 0.83 m) |
6.6 ft2 (2.6 x 2.6 ft)0.61 m2 (0.78 x 0.78 m) |
5.9 ft2 (2.4 x 2.4 ft)0.55 m2 (0.74 x 0.74 m) |
| PhytoMAX-2 600 |
89.2 ft2 (9.4 x 9.4 ft)8.29 m2 (2.88 x 2.88 m) |
44.6 ft2 (6.7 x 6.7 ft)4.14 m2 (2.04 x 2.04 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
22.3 ft2 (4.7 x 4.7 ft)2.07 m2 (1.44 x 1.44 m) |
17.8 ft2 (4.2 x 4.2 ft)1.66 m2 (1.29 x 1.29 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
12.7 ft2 (3.6 x 3.6 ft)1.18 m2 (1.09 x 1.09 m) |
11.2 ft2 (3.3 x 3.3 ft)1.04 m2 (1.02 x 1.02 m) |
9.9 ft2 (3.1 x 3.1 ft)0.92 m2 (0.96 x 0.96 m) |
8.9 ft2 (3.0 x 3.0 ft)0.83 m2 (0.91 x 0.91 m) |
| PhytoMAX-2 800 |
118.9 ft2 (10.9 x 10.9 ft)11.05 m2 (3.32 x 3.32 m) |
59.5 ft2 (7.7 x 7.7 ft)5.53 m2 (2.35 x 2.35 m) |
39.6 ft2 (6.3 x 6.3 ft)3.68 m2 (1.92 x 1.92 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
23.8 ft2 (4.9 x 4.9 ft)2.21 m2 (1.49 x 1.49 m) |
19.8 ft2 (4.5 x 4.5 ft)1.84 m2 (1.36 x 1.36 m) |
17.0 ft2 (4.1 x 4.1 ft)1.58 m2 (1.26 x 1.26 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
13.2 ft2 (3.6 x 3.6 ft)1.23 m2 (1.11 x 1.11 m) |
11.9 ft2 (3.4 x 3.4 ft)1.11 m2 (1.05 x 1.05 m) |
| PhytoMAX-2 1000 |
148.7 ft2 (12.2 x 12.2 ft)13.81 m2 (3.72 x 3.72 m) |
74.3 ft2 (8.6 x 8.6 ft)6.91 m2 (2.63 x 2.63 m) |
49.6 ft2 (7.0 x 7.0 ft)4.60 m2 (2.15 x 2.15 m) |
37.2 ft2 (6.1 x 6.1 ft)3.45 m2 (1.86 x 1.86 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
24.8 ft2 (5.0 x 5.0 ft)2.30 m2 (1.52 x 1.52 m) |
21.2 ft2 (4.6 x 4.6 ft)1.97 m2 (1.40 x 1.40 m) |
18.6 ft2 (4.3 x 4.3 ft)1.73 m2 (1.31 x 1.31 m) |
16.5 ft2 (4.1 x 4.1 ft)1.53 m2 (1.24 x 1.24 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
| PPFD Average (μMol/m2/s) | PhytoMAX-2 Model | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 | |
| 100 |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
59.5 ft2 (7.7 x 7.7 ft)5.53 m2 (2.35 x 2.35 m) |
89.2 ft2 (9.4 x 9.4 ft)8.29 m2 (2.88 x 2.88 m) |
118.9 ft2 (10.9 x 10.9 ft)11.05 m2 (3.32 x 3.32 m) |
148.7 ft2 (12.2 x 12.2 ft)13.81 m2 (3.72 x 3.72 m) |
| 200 |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
44.6 ft2 (6.7 x 6.7 ft)4.14 m2 (2.04 x 2.04 m) |
59.5 ft2 (7.7 x 7.7 ft)5.53 m2 (2.35 x 2.35 m) |
74.3 ft2 (8.6 x 8.6 ft)6.91 m2 (2.63 x 2.63 m) |
| 300 |
9.9 ft2 (3.1 x 3.1 ft)0.92 m2 (0.96 x 0.96 m) |
19.8 ft2 (4.5 x 4.5 ft)1.84 m2 (1.36 x 1.36 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
39.6 ft2 (6.3 x 6.3 ft)3.68 m2 (1.92 x 1.92 m) |
49.6 ft2 (7.0 x 7.0 ft)4.60 m2 (2.15 x 2.15 m) |
| 400 |
7.4 ft2 (2.7 x 2.7 ft)0.69 m2 (0.83 x 0.83 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
22.3 ft2 (4.7 x 4.7 ft)2.07 m2 (1.44 x 1.44 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
37.2 ft2 (6.1 x 6.1 ft)3.45 m2 (1.86 x 1.86 m) |
| 500 |
5.9 ft2 (2.4 x 2.4 ft)0.55 m2 (0.74 x 0.74 m) |
11.9 ft2 (3.4 x 3.4 ft)1.11 m2 (1.05 x 1.05 m) |
17.8 ft2 (4.2 x 4.2 ft)1.66 m2 (1.29 x 1.29 m) |
23.8 ft2 (4.9 x 4.9 ft)2.21 m2 (1.49 x 1.49 m) |
29.7 ft2 (5.5 x 5.5 ft)2.76 m2 (1.66 x 1.66 m) |
| 600 |
5.0 ft2 (2.2 x 2.2 ft)0.46 m2 (0.68 x 0.68 m) |
9.9 ft2 (3.1 x 3.1 ft)0.92 m2 (0.96 x 0.96 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
19.8 ft2 (4.5 x 4.5 ft)1.84 m2 (1.36 x 1.36 m) |
24.8 ft2 (5.0 x 5.0 ft)2.30 m2 (1.52 x 1.52 m) |
| 700 |
4.2 ft2 (2.1 x 2.1 ft)0.39 m2 (0.63 x 0.63 m) |
8.5 ft2 (2.9 x 2.9 ft)0.79 m2 (0.89 x 0.89 m) |
12.7 ft2 (3.6 x 3.6 ft)1.18 m2 (1.09 x 1.09 m) |
17.0 ft2 (4.1 x 4.1 ft)1.58 m2 (1.26 x 1.26 m) |
21.2 ft2 (4.6 x 4.6 ft)1.97 m2 (1.40 x 1.40 m) |
| 800 |
3.7 ft2 (1.9 x 1.9 ft)0.35 m2 (0.59 x 0.59 m) |
7.4 ft2 (2.7 x 2.7 ft)0.69 m2 (0.83 x 0.83 m) |
11.2 ft2 (3.3 x 3.3 ft)1.04 m2 (1.02 x 1.02 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
18.6 ft2 (4.3 x 4.3 ft)1.73 m2 (1.31 x 1.31 m) |
| 900 |
3.3 ft2 (1.8 x 1.8 ft)0.31 m2 (0.55 x 0.55 m) |
6.6 ft2 (2.6 x 2.6 ft)0.61 m2 (0.78 x 0.78 m) |
9.9 ft2 (3.1 x 3.1 ft)0.92 m2 (0.96 x 0.96 m) |
13.2 ft2 (3.6 x 3.6 ft)1.23 m2 (1.11 x 1.11 m) |
16.5 ft2 (4.1 x 4.1 ft)1.53 m2 (1.24 x 1.24 m) |
| 1000 |
3.0 ft2 (1.7 x 1.7 ft)0.28 m2 (0.53 x 0.53 m) |
5.9 ft2 (2.4 x 2.4 ft)0.55 m2 (0.74 x 0.74 m) |
8.9 ft2 (3.0 x 3.0 ft)0.83 m2 (0.91 x 0.91 m) |
11.9 ft2 (3.4 x 3.4 ft)1.11 m2 (1.05 x 1.05 m) |
14.9 ft2 (3.9 x 3.9 ft)1.38 m2 (1.18 x 1.18 m) |
The footprint PAR coverage in this table assumes reasonably-reflective surroundings around the footprint; for adjacent lights the PPFD numbers or footprint coverage will actually be higher.
To determine the ideal hanging height for any size footprint, or to calculate the PPFD for any size footprint, use our convenient hanging height calculator!
Transitioning Plants From Other Lights
When switching plants grown under other lights to PhytoMAX-2's Phyto-Genesis Spectrum®, some shock and/or stalling can occur, as with moving plants between any other different lighting situations. Our LED grow lights are very intense and contain UV light (unlike many grow lights), either of which can shock plants not used to such lighting.
To adapt plants to our lights with as little shock as possible, hang the light at twice the recommended hanging height to start. Each day for about a week you can lower the light by 3-4 inches15-20 cm until it is at the recommended hanging height and your plants have adapted.
When starting seeds under our lights it is fine to use the normal footprint and hanging height; when seeds germinate they adjust to the lighting conditions they first experience. Raising the hanging height of the light higher than normal during germination can lead to leggy, weak seedlings.