biggens.
- Thread starter ShackC
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lmn8r
Well-Known Member
They're fine. Since you'll probably only be using a couple high-wattage bulbs rather then lots of smaller ones, it will be worth your while to build a reflector(s). CFLs are omnidirectional, by building a reflector you can concentrate all the light towards the plants.
Daylight 6500k for vegetative stage, and soft white 2700k for flowering stage.
Generally you'll see people in this forum using many small bulbs. This is because they are cheaper. 12000 lumens can easily be done for $20 in smaller bulbs, versus a single high wattage bulb for $50+. The lack of reflectors is compensated by the raw volume of lights and output.
If you have the space and privacy, high pressure sodium grow lights are always the better choice, one because they come with their own reflectors, and two because they are more efficient. HTG sells some inexpensive grow lights, for example:
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=53025
150 watt HPS, 16000 lumens for $70
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47929
400 watt HPS, 50000 lumens for $120
In my opinion it would be better then buying a bunch of high wattage CFLs. Even for micro grows, 150 watt HPS has a laundry list of advantages over CFL.
Another option similar to high wattage CFLs is getting a t5/t8 fluorescent tube setup. It would provide a similar output, and would be somewhat easier because there would be less do-it-yourself work involved.
The CFL forum is also known as the flat broke forum, pretty much everyone here is on a budget, and CFL's take the cake for being super cheap to setup a small scale grow.
Daylight 6500k for vegetative stage, and soft white 2700k for flowering stage.
Generally you'll see people in this forum using many small bulbs. This is because they are cheaper. 12000 lumens can easily be done for $20 in smaller bulbs, versus a single high wattage bulb for $50+. The lack of reflectors is compensated by the raw volume of lights and output.
If you have the space and privacy, high pressure sodium grow lights are always the better choice, one because they come with their own reflectors, and two because they are more efficient. HTG sells some inexpensive grow lights, for example:
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=53025
150 watt HPS, 16000 lumens for $70
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47929
400 watt HPS, 50000 lumens for $120
In my opinion it would be better then buying a bunch of high wattage CFLs. Even for micro grows, 150 watt HPS has a laundry list of advantages over CFL.
Another option similar to high wattage CFLs is getting a t5/t8 fluorescent tube setup. It would provide a similar output, and would be somewhat easier because there would be less do-it-yourself work involved.
The CFL forum is also known as the flat broke forum, pretty much everyone here is on a budget, and CFL's take the cake for being super cheap to setup a small scale grow.
i only grow 1-2 plants a time in a 7sq. ft. area, this time im going to top, supercrop to keep the plants low so my lights are more efficient, when these blow i will use the cheaper ones but for now. And you said 6500 for veg is that the only spectrum you should rum. I was just looking at the led setup. it is 1/3 blue and 2/3 red spectrums and these units are used the entire growth well at times i wouldnt use them.
Afrogrow
Well-Known Member
i dont know much about leds but to offer a full spectrum for your plants just mix up ur cfls in color but for ur size of setup id go the 150hps route and just mix in a few cfls. and everything lmn8r said was straight knowledge son! check his grow out A+ i gots a lil somethin goin myself. peace bro
lmn8r
Well-Known Member
LEDs are too expensive. A 400 watt dual bulb system matches and exceeds the red 660nm and blue 470nm output of a 90 watt UFO for the same price.
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=48930
LEDs would only be useful with micro grows where space is extremely limited, such as a PC case grow, or to supplement existing light.
As I said, the CFL forum is also known as the flat broke forum... we're here to suggest the most inexpensive and efficient routes for cannabis growing. Seeing as you have mentioned two comparatively expensive lighting systems over their cheaper counterparts, my guess would be you are not constrained by a budget. If this is the case, please tell us so we can give you tailored information, if not, let us know what your budget is so we can suggest the best bang for your buck.
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=48930
LEDs would only be useful with micro grows where space is extremely limited, such as a PC case grow, or to supplement existing light.
As I said, the CFL forum is also known as the flat broke forum... we're here to suggest the most inexpensive and efficient routes for cannabis growing. Seeing as you have mentioned two comparatively expensive lighting systems over their cheaper counterparts, my guess would be you are not constrained by a budget. If this is the case, please tell us so we can give you tailored information, if not, let us know what your budget is so we can suggest the best bang for your buck.
Maybe someone would choose to use cfls considering the protection of their family. CFLs provide no danger you can get good results at the price of a dollar, one of those tiny little cfls go a long way, say someone spent the time and money into building a huge ass cfl system, as some one were to build single 600w system. you see with running cfls you dont really need an ac just a fan, you dont need a bulb cooling system or hugeass exhaust fan, and you really dont need to have a fire extinguisher on hand. for another pointer i havnt heard of or had anypersonal experiences of heat stress. And for leds they do suck i know unless some rich guys just wants to grow some ruderalis strains. I was just refering to the led setup on how it runs 2 spectrums at one time, would it in any way be smart to run 2 spectrums with cfl. and yes im a penny pincher