Use grow or bloom cfl's on autoflowering Lowryder??

[megahammer]

I've decided to grow Lowryder 2 which if you weren't aware is an autoflowering dwarf hybrid that enters flowering stage immediately, shows its sex in about 3 weeks & total time from seed to harvest is about 9 weeks. It grows to a height of about 18 inches & yields about an ounce per plant. I've built a small grow cabinet large enough for 2 full size midgets. I've decided to go with cfl's because I may try running them 24/0 (which this strain can use from start to finish) & because I need to keep my power consumption as low as possible to avoid overtaxing & tripping circuit breakers that are already fully employed. My box has 8 light sockets arranged in 2 rows of 4 & what I'm wondering is;

What cfl's to use? 2700k, 5000k or 6500k a mix or something else? Also how much wattage should I be aiming for? I was thinking of getting the 8 of the 24 watt (100 watt equivalent) for a total of just under 200 actual watts.

Thanks

 

[HotNSexyMILF]

Go with the 2700K since most of the plants life it will be in flowering. I'd suggest going with the true 42 watt cfls and getting as many as you can.

 

[wbd]

Go with 8 42watters, you'll be much happier. Not much difference in cost or space requirements.

 

[SenorSanteria]

Go with 8 42watters, you'll be much happier. Not much difference in cost or space requirements.

I disagree. My 26w's put out plenty of light, and theyre way less expensive. Id rather use 16 26w's than 8 42w's. I bought 5 26 watters for $14... ONE 42watter was $8.00.

 

[wbd]

I disagree. My 26w's put out plenty of light, and theyre way less expensive. Id rather use 16 26w's than 8 42w's. I bought 5 26 watters for $14... ONE 42watter was $8.00.

Obviously prices will vary... and 42w bulbs put out more light than 26w bulbs, even if you think your 26w bulbs put out "plenty" of light (did your bulbs come in a box marked as "plenty"? lol).

Please read he has 2 plants in a cabinet. Is is feasable for him to stick 16 lights in there? I seriously doubt it.

 

[HotNSexyMILF]

The more bulbs you have in there the hotter they are, the true 42 watt cfls are the only way to go...

 

[megahammer]

There's no room for more fixtures so 8 bulbs is all that i'm gonna get in there. where's a good place to get the 42w's? I can get the 24w's at my local home depot I think they had some higher wattage bulbs but I dont think those ones listed the color temp on em. I'll stop in & double check that. Also will the higher wattage bulbs run hotter or with cfl's is it all about the same since its the ballast & not the bulb that gets warm?

 

[crazy-mental]

1 42 watt. at b and q are £14. but it would be better and cheaper and less messing, if you got a 250 or 400 hps. promise.

 

[SenorSanteria]

Obviously prices will vary... and 42w bulbs put out more light than 26w bulbs, even if you think your 26w bulbs put out "plenty" of light (did your bulbs come in a box marked as "plenty"? lol).

Please read he has 2 plants in a cabinet. Is is feasable for him to stick 16 lights in there? I seriously doubt it.

Wow... I dont think you could have completely missed my point more if you tried.

The point that I was making is that TWO 23w cfl's are better than ONE 42 watter. It is the same amount of wattage (read: light), but is much less expensive.

Sheesh.

 

[megahammer]

I was using cfl's to reduce power consumption & box temperature, but maybe I'm just being paranoid about temps & by the time I hook up 8 42w bulbs I'm nearly at the same consumption as a 400w hps.

Part of my problem is the cabinet is gonna be in an unheated/drafty attic during a Chicago winter. I'll only be able to check on them once or twice a week. I figure to leave the lights on 24/7 from planting to harvest, between the warmth of the lights & a germination pad the internal box temp & soil temps should be fine, but with hps I would probably want to set up a timer & run a 18/6 light cycle, would the box get too cold when the lights go out & is it hazardous to have hps running unsupervised on a timer.

 

[frostythesnowthug]

Use a mix of colors...
you want to use 6 x 2700k cfls, the highest wattage you can afford, ideally 42w, but the 26w will do(i use those) and int the other 2 sockets put 2 x Daylight 6500k cfls(again of the highest wattage you can find) that way youll get a more 'natural' light to them..( because even as the natural daylight light cycle changes there is still blue in the color spectrum,just not as much.)
there's plenty of places on the web that sell daylight bulbs if your local stores dont carry them...you can get the 25w+ bulbs off ebay for real cheap.
I doubt youll get an ounce per plant with cfls but hey fingers x'd for ya.

cfls do get warm, and yes larger watt cfls do get hotter, but not too much... with a fan in the grow area you should be fine heatwise. but in an attic in wintertime, the cooler air temps will also help dissipate heat from the box alot quicker.

 

[purplehaze2]

I live in the tenn and it gets cold here.I keep a isolation heater on mine,Itcost 30$ at target.it works killer.it has its own thermastate on it,adjust your temp to where you like,and walk away.I have a 600 hps and is my third grow it comes too 30 bucks a month.never have any electrical issues.not a pro just trying to help.