can i use long flourescent bulbs

[jact55]

Hi guys,

I have done multiple grows using compacts, all with great success. My new grow area is more of a rectangle shape. I will be doing a setup with 3 pots wide by 5 pots long. due to this i am thinking about throwing a couple of the longer flourescents long ways, with my compacts on the outer boundery and hanging in the middle where i can fit them. I have never used the longer bulbs, would they be benificial? or would i be better off just lining compacts? I would be using them to flower, so i would get the redder "heat" color spectrum bulbs for flowering. Are there any other suggestions about these long bulbs? Is there any reason I should not use them?

thanks in advance

 

[whatapothead]

yeah you can. if you aren't ordering them i'd be sure to get teh T8 bulbs rather than the T12. they have more output. I have four 4' T8 setups in my veg room with CFLs to supplement. They aren't SUPER bright so i'd throw some CFLs in there as well.

 

[jact55]

yeah you can. if you aren't ordering them i'd be sure to get teh T8 bulbs rather than the T12. they have more output. I have four 4' T8 setups in my veg room with CFLs to supplement. They aren't SUPER bright so i'd throw some CFLs in there as well.

right on, thanks

 

[be more curious]

If your tight on money, you can turn off the cfl during veg and run the T8 tubs. I am doing the same right now on a micro grow, I have 2 24" tubes one is 2700k (plant & aquarium) other is 4700k (white). Works perfect, my buddy who uses 400 HPS is pissed he waste so much money on veg and then even more during flower. Remeber this is great for small grows. Keep the tubes about 1-2" away from top of plant furing veg and flower. The tubes will not burn plants unless you have poor vent. When your ready for your 12/12 turn back on your CFL and try making the color spectrum vary between the cfls and stay away from the 3200k-4000k bulbs, they wont help. Post some pics so I can help more, I will pm you when your on to show you my set up. Peace

 

[Bud Frosty]

I used do the whole grow with 6-40w tubes. 4 plants, 2 tubes on each side of the line of plants and 2 tubes on top.Wasn't monster bud but, wasn't bad neither.

 

[whatapothead]

haha i'd have to disagree that 400w hps is a waste for flowering... 400w hps compares to 400w of CFL... have fun adjusting that. and you still won't get the same density of buds unless you're in there moving your CFLs every day or more to make sure they stay within a few inches to maximize their lumens.