Current Setup / Switched Lights

storkypig · Nov 1, 2009

Hey Everybody - How goes it? I just took a few updated pictures of my 3 week old babies (give or take a few days for some of them). I wasted so much money purchasing all these GE Plant Lights (incandescent) and after doing research found that I am wasting lots of money for electricity and they put out so much heat! I switched to some 100 Watt daylight bulbs and two 25 watt reveal soft cfls. I realize I could do lots better but giving that I am on a budget I am doing the best I can with what I have. I have three fans going 1. small "blizzard" fan pointed to the left of the tub and 2 Lasko Negative Ion Generators (dont require filters which i find odd) pointed to the right of the room where the ac vent blows up. I have them set where the wind isn't hitting them directly. Probably more fans than I need but at the time i had those damn incandescent lights and they were heating up the room LOTS..but still I htink the more circulation the better? Anyways, I am attaching some pics. I would love some feedback on the lights and whatever else you can see that I need to work on. Oh, also, I am working on a way to do some LST (i think that is what it is called) by setting up about 8 walmart plant light tubes on the sides vertically...I am just so scared to mess with it now cause I have dropped so many lights and what not... Anyways, loving the feedback and this site. If I fail I will not stop, and hope you guys feel the same way. Loving my new hobby. Keep it real guys and looking forward to making many new "friends" here.

storkypig · Nov 1, 2009

Would you all use the Sylvania blue spot light or the daylights? I just switched them to 100 watt daylight cfls and two 25 watt soft cfls.

highaltitude · Nov 1, 2009

I have some ideas on what you are saying. First of all. Do away with all incandescent light you have, and replace them with CFL. Daylight or bright white, and higher wattage is better. The whole thing about so-called grow-lights, especially incandescent is of little or no value - because - the incandescent bulb is not capable of producing the correct color-spectrum, regardless of what magical coating they put inside the bulb. Besides, those coating also tend to reduce the overall light output, so all in all it is of no value to anybody but the manufacturer, because they can charge three times more, basically for nothing of value to you.

The ion generators do not have filters (some do) because they charge dust particles in the air, so that the particles become electrically charged, and cling to the surroundings i.e. your walls, floor etc. Exactly the same way dust would stick to your (old fashioned cathode) television set.

I doubt the ion generator has any business in a grow-room, but I'd like to see others' comments on that.

You do not cool the air by blowing it around. Actually, on the contrary. The energy consumed by your fans, is turned into heat - so the fans actually heat your room. The exception to that of course is that you might increase evaporation as a result of the rushing air. That will have a cooling effect, but extremely limited, as well as temporary, since you cannot saturate the air with more humidity, just because you move it around.
Of course you can dissipate heat with fans, and fans help the plant breathe - but they don't reduce your overall temperature.

The way to reduce air temperature is to reduce the energy input to the room - fans included. 100 watts is 100 watts whether it comes from your bulb or your fan - no difference.

I don't have to tell you that the next option, is to evacuate hot air, and replace it with cooler, if need be.

First of all, I'd replace anything incandescent with fluorescent, and better yet, with LED. The smallest one that I know work, because I use them myself, is the 'UFO'
They're 90 watts, and run around $150 on the internet. Something to consider in time.
Good luck.

storkypig · Nov 1, 2009

highaltitude said:
I have some ideas on what you are saying. First of all. Do away with all incandescent light you have, and replace them with CFL. Daylight or bright white, and higher wattage is better. The whole thing about so-called grow-lights, especially incandescent is of little or no value - because - the incandescent bulb is not capable of producing the correct color-spectrum, regardless of what magical coating they put inside the bulb. Besides, those coating also tend to reduce the overall light output, so all in all it is of no value to anybody but the manufacturer, because they can charge three times more, basically for nothing of value to you.

The ion generators do not have filters (some do) because they charge dust particles in the air, so that the particles become electrically charged, and cling to the surroundings i.e. your walls, floor etc. Exactly the same way dust would stick to your (old fashioned cathode) television set.

I doubt the ion generator has any business in a grow-room, but I'd like to see others' comments on that.

You do not cool the air by blowing it around. Actually, on the contrary. The energy consumed by your fans, is turned into heat - so the fans actually heat your room. The exception to that of course is that you might increase evaporation as a result of the rushing air. That will have a cooling effect, but extremely limited, as well as temporary, since you cannot saturate the air with more humidity, just because you move it around.
Of course you can dissipate heat with fans, and fans help the plant breathe - but they don't reduce your overall temperature.

The way to reduce air temperature is to reduce the energy input to the room - fans included. 100 watts is 100 watts whether it comes from your bulb or your fan - no difference.

I don't have to tell you that the next option, is to evacuate hot air, and replace it with cooler, if need be.

First of all, I'd replace anything incandescent with fluorescent, and better yet, with LED. The smallest one that I know work, because I use them myself, is the 'UFO'
They're 90 watts, and run around $150 on the internet. Something to consider in time.
Good luck.

Wow, thanks my man. Very kind of you to offer all that intelligent advice. You caught me just as I was about to walk my dog and I am amazed at what I just learned. You rock man. People like yourself is the reason I joined this site. I'd love to check out some of your grows when I get back from walking the pooch. Thanks again man.

slk · Nov 1, 2009

I always buy at Home Depot so if I want to return something there is never any problem

Current Setup / Switched Lights

storkypig

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storkypig

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highaltitude

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storkypig

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slk

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