Help with the lighting

[new.farmer]

What type of lighting should I use for a growing box with the following dimensions?
length = 23.62" (60 cm)
width = 23.62" (60 cm)
height = 25.59" (65 cm)

My point of interrest is the number of lumens.
I'm looking for the cheapest solution (fluorescent)...

Thank you.

 

[Ian Singerdale]

What type of lighting should I use for a growing box with the following dimensions?
length = 23.62" (60 cm)
width = 23.62" (60 cm)
height = 25.59" (65 cm)

My point of interrest is the number of lumens.
I'm looking for the cheapest solution (fluorescent)...

Thank you.

four or eight tube (I'd go with eight if you can afford it) high output, four foot T5 tubes. with 8 you can get about 40,000 lumen, or about a 350W MH. then it's less expensive to cool as well.

don't go with CFLs, their lumens to watts ratio is worse than t5s - you would be throwing money away in a room that size. each plant would need like five cfls...

 

[meetzu]

four or eight tube (I'd go with eight if you can afford it) high output, four foot T5 tubes. with 8 you can get about 40,000 lumen, or about a 350W MH. then it's less expensive to cool as well.

don't go with CFLs, their lumens to watts ratio is worse than t5s - you would be throwing money away in a room that size. each plant would need like five cfls...

Did you just recommend a 4 foot unit for a ~23 inch space?

 

[new.farmer]

Did you just recommend a 4 foot unit for a ~23 inch space?

Thank you Ian Singerdale.
Anyone else?
what do you... meetzu .. recommend?

 

[Wooded]

Hi there, I also have a question about lighting, im planning on buying a small tent (0.6m x 0.6m x 1.6m) for veg'ing, just to build them upto around 8-10" preferably then il stick them in my flowering tent. Ideally i want to use cfl's..... Is this a wise choice??

 

[meetzu]

Well, you aren't going to find a cost effective t5 fixture to put in there that will fit. Usually lowes and home depot carry CFLs as large as 150w and they are fairly cheap. I would say 2-3 of those to start on top and then some smaller (maybe 23w) ones around the bottom once they get a little taller. I don't have much experience with using CFLs except as supplemental lighting. I put a couple 68w standing up in the middle of my plants circled around it under a 2 foot 108W t5 HO hood and they seemed to do fine.
With your height restriction you will probably have to do autos or 12/12 from seed.

 

[Ian Singerdale]

Did you just recommend a 4 foot unit for a ~23 inch space?

lol I read his post as 60 INCHES. not cm.

they do sell 2 ft. T5s you could prob fit in there

 

[KlosetKing]

yep in fact i would almost get 2 of those 2ft t5's and place them vertical on both sides of the room. should keep stretching low (though a bit of lst might become necessar).

 

[meetzu]

lol I read his post as 60 INCHES. not cm.

they do sell 2 ft. T5s you could prob fit in there

A 2 foot generally refers to the actual size of the bulb and does not include the size taken up by the housing. You could cram it in there probably but on some fucked-up jenky angle that wont allow you to get it as close as it should be to the plants.

EDIT: vertical might be a possibility but there is still the issue of housing/cord clearance. Measure it, go to a store, measure a model you would consider getting.

 

[KlosetKing]

well heres the lights i am using, and they are 4ft. notice it says 'packaging' is 48.5" in length. my closet is only 48", and the light fits in with a good inch or 2 on either side, so the the tubes (at least these ones) are actually a couple inches shorter than 48".

just read carefully, get your measurements exact, and shop around, you'll find something that works iam sure. best of luck