grow box light setup question.

Attachments has reference.

I have a question on the position on my lights. I have 4 cfls (replaced the one with an incandescent just now as we have a cold front, -5 C outside, brrr!)

It just feels that i am not using the light to its full potential, so i am wondering if i can move, change the light setup somehow.

The box has a removable roof/top with the vent fans which i removed for the photo

Opinions appreciated

Gave you seen the homemade reflectors for CFLs made out of soda cans? Might be something to look into

I have seen those, but my roof is lined with mylar, which i suppose is doing the same?

It is but that extra reflection right off the bulb can't hurt.

Every grow I see still has reflectors for every bulb except LED ... Even in tents which are all Mylar on the inside.

4Life2style0 said:

Every grow I see still has reflectors for every bulb except LED ... Even in tents which are all Mylar on the inside.

Click to expand...

Ok, will add some reflectors ASAP. The positioning of the lights, do they look fine?

endlesslyonline said:

Ok, will add some reflectors ASAP. The positioning of the lights, do they look fine?

Click to expand...

U want the lights 1-3" away from the tops as long as heat isnt an issue, id also get some more light in there during flowering. When using cfls the more light the better. Reflectors go a long way also when using cfls, i have a big baking tin ontop of my fixture with a hole cut in the side for the fan to blow the heat off the bulbs

Jussblaz3420 said:

U want the lights 1-3" away from the tops as long as heat isnt an issue, id also get some more light in there during flowering. When using cfls the more light the better. Reflectors go a long way also when using cfls, i have a big baking tin ontop of my fixture with a hole cut in the side for the fan to blow the heat off the bulbs

Click to expand...

What he said^ and you could look into positioning a few lower than some others to get light on some bigger colas. You can move each light around. I like the set up though.

How long are you vegging for?

Hello..
Is this your first grow? I had a 2sqft x 3ft tall space for my first grow. I outgrew it in weeks. I couldn't believe how badly I calculated my space needs. I'm just wondering if you won't outgrow yours also. I now use my first can as a veg cab. I use 4 1600 lumen (26w) cfls in the 6500 k spectrum. This is 3200 lumens per sqft which is ok for first few weeks.

How many sqft do you have? Do you plan to flower in the same box?

I rather like the arrangement of the lights. Best of luck..

Thx for all the replies

4Life2style0 said:

What he said^ and you could look into positioning a few lower than some others to get light on some bigger colas. You can move each light around. I like the set up though.

How long are you vegging for?

Click to expand...

Ok, will get some more lights in there.

Vegging for almost 60 days now. I had some problems with soil, which stunted growth.

sunny747 said:

Hello..
Is this your first grow? I had a 2sqft x 3ft tall space for my first grow. I outgrew it in weeks. I couldn't believe how badly I calculated my space needs. I'm just wondering if you won't outgrow yours also. I now use my first can as a veg cab. I use 4 1600 lumen (26w) cfls in the 6500 k spectrum. This is 3200 lumens per sqft which is ok for first few weeks.

How many sqft do you have? Do you plan to flower in the same box?

I rather like the arrangement of the lights. Best of luck..

Click to expand...

Yes, first grow here. I fimmed them in hopes of getting the size right.

And yes, i plan in flowering in there too.

Will gave to calculate the size, im not even sure.

With cfl you will need an even canopy since the light doesn't penetrate well.. Shoot for 5000 lumens - 10,000 lumens per sqft for flower. so 3 or 4 26w cfl per sqft is decent. (4 x 1600 lumens per bulb = 6400 lumens per sqft) 6500 k bulbs for veg and 2700k for flower, but you can also mix and match for broader spectrum. From what I have read spectrums between 3k-5k don't have a whole lot of useable light..

Depending on pot size, plant characteristics, and growing method I now figure that I need about 20 inches squared per plant in 3 gallon pots. Otherwise it just gets too crowded. In that space I might just take the best looking plant and train the crap out of it to get an even canopy then use 4 42 watt 2600k cfl's. Luckily heat is not a problem in your climate.

Here is my original cab 2ft a 1ft a 3ft .Height and heat became a problem. I could probably grow 2 plants in 1 gallon pots in there or 1 x 2 gallon with heavy lst.. More than that would be difficult. This still makes a great veg chamber and I built a tent 40 inches x 24 inches x 6 ft tall out of pvc and panda. I am running 2 x 150 watt hps for 2 large autos. It's just enough space. The 150 w sun systems are cheap and a nice step up from cfl if you care to go that route. I think we all try stealth with cfl then eventually end up with 2 x 1000 w hps

I'm still pretty new to this and I don't mean to blow a hole in your method so don't let me discourage you in any way. I've seen some pretty cool micro grows.. My goal is to save you time and money if I can and help you grow some satisfying produce. That is basil, right



First plant in small cab under cfl..


Second plant in larger tent. larger pot under 150 hps.. See the difference..

Thanks sunny, will take all that in consideration.

And by no means will you, or any other member discourage my grow. I am here to learn, and all the constructive criticism helps in exactly that.

I love it when someone points out where i am at fault, coz that means i will learn and grow, and hopefully be in the position to pass on my new knowledge to other people.

I must also mention, i jumped into the growing thing a bit late, actually wanted to do an outdoor grow, but winter started and i was hasty, so i thought let me take this time to play with soils, etc. As soon as summer breaks, im taking a new grow outside . Who knows, might even veg these for the full winter and take them outside in summer to veg some more and become monsters. Haha.

Once again, i appreciate all the wisdom and info you, and the rest of riu community has thrown my way!