Coldest CFLs for Micro Grow?

[ICantBelieveItsNotBud]

Hello everybody, i plan on doing a small PC grow just for kicks. The only problem i know i will run into is heat. My case is medium size and will not receive too much circulation. So what i have to figure out that i hope someone can help me with is, what is the best combo of lights that will get me the lowest temps? I plan on having around 60w of CFL, but i don't know which combo will create the least heat (like 3X23W or 2X30w, 2X28W). Anyone have any suggestions to keep my heat low as adding more circulation is not an option.
-Thanks

 

[justparanoid]

23 watt bulbs get to hot to touch. all cfls get hot, its a myth they stay cool.
what do you have for fans now?

JP

 

[ICantBelieveItsNotBud]

I have 2 120mm pc fans each hooked up to a 12v charger, but the pc will be in a cupboard so thats why i say it will get little ventilation

 

[ICantBelieveItsNotBud]

Should i just purchase a single 60W CFL? would this be cooler?

 

[mrgreenfingerz]

No don't buy a single 60w 4 15w or 3 21w should do nicely just remem to have a fan blowing just under ur lights and exhausted out slightly higher ,cfl's are designed to be warm as they dim down the cooler they become. And have a fan halfway for circulation and you should be ok

 

[Bakatare666]

23 watt bulbs get to hot to touch. all cfls get hot, its a myth they stay cool.
what do you have for fans now?

JP

But ya won't lose skin and blow a bulb if you touch 'em.

 

[Sincerely420]

How about let us know what combo you come up with...3x23w put out barely ANY heat, but thats lke a max of 5000lumens with good reflection...

I dont think thats adequate. I say 1 125w CFL bro. About 9-10k lumens a bulb.
And that good air quality and circulation is every bit as important as light, so don't skimp....Esp. in a confined space..

 

[SunnyJim]

I agree with the advice above - check for the lumen per watt output of the bulbs. The more lumens you can produce with the bulb(s) you can fit in your box is probably what you should go for.

Heat in your box is easily managed with the use of a few well-positioned pc fans.

 

[bigv1976]

It doesnt matter what combo you use 60 watts is 60 watts and 60 watts is too much if you dont have good circulation.

 

[Sir.Ganga]

I have seen a set up where the guy was using 3 or 4 smaller cfl's that he had placed in a light tube meant for hid's. The light tube was vented and there was little heat in the grow tent. You might be able to do similar.

Think out of the box.

 

[mrgreenfingerz]

Look at the cfl charts ie lumens to watts you'll find that 4 smaller 21 and 23 wat cfl put out more lumens than a 60 watt cfl and u DO get less heat from em than a 60. Tried and tested !!! Do some research and find what's best for you

 

[Sincerely420]

It doesnt matter what combo you use 60 watts is 60 watts and 60 watts is too much if you dont have good circulation.

IT ABSOLUTELY matters...after 4,000 you don't think it does? Light intensity if DEF better the BIGGER the CFLs gets.
If it didn't matter I'd have ALL small CFLS...like 13w CFLS EVERYWHERE!

And I love the sig. Everybody on here should feel that way...Not about all the members, but about the ones that are full of shit..

 

[minnesmoker]

Check out LED lights. They're more expensive (considerably more expensive) but have an almost 0 heat output. You can find them in stores like home depot, menards, lowes, etc.

 

[Sincerely420]

Look at the cfl charts ie lumens to watts you'll find that 4 smaller 21 and 23 wat cfl put out more lumens than a 60 watt cfl and u DO get less heat from em than a 60. Tried and tested !!! Do some research and find what's best for you

Just look around and you'll see why that's not true....

 

[Sincerely420]

Check out LED lights. They're more expensive (considerably more expensive) but have an almost 0 heat output. You can find them in stores like home depot, menards, lowes, etc.

Seen AWESOME results from the 630nm red!

 

[minnesmoker]

Seen AWESOME results from the 630nm red!

They have actual 2700k and 6500k LED lights, bulb style or directed. I checked 'em out at a home depot a few days ago, I'm impressed, and would go to them, if not for the substantial investment I'd have to make (I could get 3 1000w HPS/MH lights for the amount it would cost to replace actual lumens.) For a micro-grow, a hundred dollars would give you ample lights, and no heat.