CFL Tutorial
- Thread starter Roseman
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Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
mhg26
Well-Known Member
Hey Roseman, I have a question for you that isn't really answered from the above article. I started two plants in a Bubbleponics system with eight total CFL's. I have two 85W and two 65W cool white bulbs, and I also have two 85W and two 65W warm white bulbs. Currently, I'm only using all four of the cool white bulbs and the plants seem to be thriving. They're about 5 weeks old and are about 14 inches tall. My question is this: Can I and should I use all 8 of my CFL's during the vegetative stage- even if 4 of them are labeled as "Flowering stage"? And would it be detrimental to my plants in any way if I used the warm white bulbs with the cool whites? Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
You definitely want a DUAL Spectrum, using both HIGH and LOW Kevin, or Warma dn Cool at the same time. Growers debate using 50-50, or hlaf and half, or using 3 to 1. There is a great thread here soemwhere on the Importance of using both at the same time.
I seem to have bought more bulbs with each grow, and what works best for me, is I use 3 6500 K for VEGGING and One 2700 K bulb, and I use more of the 6500k than the 2700k for VEG. . 4 bulbs is all I need for Vegging over one tank and there is not much room for more than
the 4 bulbs over small plants in one tank, and I do not need SIDE lights for Vegging. For FLOWERING, I use 3 2700s to 1 6500k bulbs, and I use as many bulbs as I can cram into the closet, especially on the sides.
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
Go back and read post # 58 on this thread, a page back.
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
GREAT Post, + REP 4 u
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
I put my 42s, 65s, and 85s only one and half to two inches away, but my 105s and 200s get too hot and I put them 4 inches away, and that is almost too close.
Do the hand test, and leave the palm of your hand between the plant and the light for 60 seconds and see if it gets too hot.
Jerry Garcia
Well-Known Member
Roseman...as always a great thread and tons of useful info.
One thing I didn't see on this thread was a discussion of the lumen/watt ration of various cfl's. As I understand it, the higher the wattage of cfl's, the lower the lumen/watt ratio.
For example...
the 200w from sunlighsheds is listed at 9250 lumens for a lumens/watt ratio of 9250/200=46.25
the 150w is listed at 7500 lumens for a l/w ratio of 7500/150=50
the 125w is listed at 6500 lumens for a l/w ratio of 6500/125=52
You say 42w are listed for 2700 lumens, l/w ratio of 2700/42=64.28
I have some 26w that give off 1700 lumens for a l/w ratio of 1700/26=65.38
GE lists some 13w that give off 825 lumens for a l/w ratio of 825/13=63.46
So, according to these numbers the most efficient bulbs for growing are the 26w that emit 1700 lumens. If you used 8 26w bulbs (208 watts total) you'd be getting 13,600 lumens...4,350 more lumens than a single 200 watt cfl.
Sunlightsheds does offer the cheapest large cfl's I've ever seen ($30 for 200w is a steal), but you can definitely find 8 bulbs for less than $30.
I suppose you need to purchase more sockets and cords and things to support 8 bulbs, but in the long run more lower watt cfl's seem like the way to go.
Anyway, great thread...I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents!
One thing I didn't see on this thread was a discussion of the lumen/watt ration of various cfl's. As I understand it, the higher the wattage of cfl's, the lower the lumen/watt ratio.
For example...
the 200w from sunlighsheds is listed at 9250 lumens for a lumens/watt ratio of 9250/200=46.25
the 150w is listed at 7500 lumens for a l/w ratio of 7500/150=50
the 125w is listed at 6500 lumens for a l/w ratio of 6500/125=52
You say 42w are listed for 2700 lumens, l/w ratio of 2700/42=64.28
I have some 26w that give off 1700 lumens for a l/w ratio of 1700/26=65.38
GE lists some 13w that give off 825 lumens for a l/w ratio of 825/13=63.46
So, according to these numbers the most efficient bulbs for growing are the 26w that emit 1700 lumens. If you used 8 26w bulbs (208 watts total) you'd be getting 13,600 lumens...4,350 more lumens than a single 200 watt cfl.
Sunlightsheds does offer the cheapest large cfl's I've ever seen ($30 for 200w is a steal), but you can definitely find 8 bulbs for less than $30.
I suppose you need to purchase more sockets and cords and things to support 8 bulbs, but in the long run more lower watt cfl's seem like the way to go.
Anyway, great thread...I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents!
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
You are absolutely right and the article from Ed Rosenthal at the beginning of this thread agrees with you, in as he thinks the 42s are much better than the 65s or 85s.
Thanks for the contribution to this thread.
+ REP 4 u,
mhg26
Well-Known Member
Thanks very much for the responses, they were very helpful! Now I'm going to use the 4 of my cool white bulbs and 2 of the warm white bulbs during the remaining few weeks of my vegging. I'm not exactly sure when is the best time to start flowering though. Right now my girls are about 16 inches or so and I' was wondering if anyone could tell me at what height I should start flowering?? Thanks again to all for the previous info!
Cliddy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I have them a little more the 4inches at the moment as they are just seedlings. But as they get a little stronger ill move them closer. Ill also let you know how the grow goes. I have 872w (actual) in a 5x2.5x3.11 tent; I am growing lowryders. Should be interesting to see how much they yield.
As a side question. I have 60% 2700k and 40% 6700k lighting ratio. Is that sufficient for budding or should I try and lean more on 2700k?
Thanks man
As a side question. I have 60% 2700k and 40% 6700k lighting ratio. Is that sufficient for budding or should I try and lean more on 2700k?
Thanks man
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
WHEN DO I START 12/12 FLOWERING CYCLE?
The longer the VEG cycle, the more the yield.
Consider this, in nature, outdoors, we plant a seed in mid to late April. It grows through April, May, June, July, and in mid to late July, as the sun's rays change, the plant naturally changes from VEG to FLOWER, with the diminishing sun's rays. That is nature's way. The plant grows and matures to an adult plant for about 3 to 4 months. THEN, it makes flowers. That is nature's way.
Indoors, in HYDRO with feeder tubes, we cut that time in half, by using 24/7 LIGHT. instead of 3 months, or 13 weeks, it takes about 6 weeks to become a mature plant in HYDRO, with 24/7 LIGHT.
OK, also in nature, we see most animals and humans reproduce at maturity or adulthood. If a human, (or dog or any animal) is forced to make babies before maturity, like getting a 12 yr old girl pregnant, then the babies are weak, or runts, or deformed, and just not at their best.
A dude here, a most experienced, knowledgable grower named fdd2blk (and a MOD here too) taught me a long time ago, that it does not make sense, it is not wise, it is not logical, to make a child have a child, and it is not wise or smart or logical to make an immature baby plant, have babies. LET THE BABIES GROW UP AND THEN LET THE ADULTS MAKE BABIES.
If you will VEG for 5 weeks, to 6 weeks, you will have more time for proper TOPPING, PRUNING, AND FIMMING, and you'll get bigger plants, and you will also have a mature adult plant, ready to make healthy, stronger babies (flowers) .
If you begin Indica Flowering, after VEGGING 3 or 4 weeks, you will harvest about 60% to 75% of what you would have harvested, IF you had waited and VEGGED for 5 or 6 full weeks.
This info applies to rapid growing in Hydro, and to Indica strains. NOT slowly in SOIL, and NOT Sativa.
I average 3 to 4 ounces per plant, VEGGING 5 to 6 weeks, and I have gotten 7 ounces from one plant, the one you see at my signature. I got that with planned, proper Topping and Pruning and Fimming, and creating more tops or cola sites.
If you need info with pics on Topping, Pruning, or Fimming, let me know.