New Grower. What do I need/need to know?

SirLancelot said:

I don't think having an hid over cfls is that complicated you dont have to be an expert just plug it in. But as stated there expensive if you grow on a budget. But I personally like to spoil my plants and not short them on anything. But to me it's worth the extra $ for that extra you get in buds.

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i agree. sure cfls are cheaper (to buy initially) however they will cost OP more in the long run as he'd be averaging 70 lumens per watt compared to 140 lumens per watt under HID (hps/mh) lighting. Only downside has been mentioned: HEAT. My first grow was CFLS only through veg, by the time flowering came I bought my first hps and never looked back since lol.


OP the heat should raise the temps by about 10 degrees give or take mattering on how good your ventilation is. Thats why fans are especially important when working with HID's. the fans can keep your plants cooler allowing you to get the light closer to the tops of the plants versus growing without fans while using HID's.

Your bill will be similar no matter what you use 500w of cfls ( ie. 100w per plant x's 5 plants) or 400-600w of HID. The only real difference is you'd be half as efficient with cfls versus HPS. so in reality you'd be paying less a month for the HPS in the long run if that makes sense as you'd be using almost the same amount of electricity for half of the lumens.

i hope i didnt confuse you but sirlancealot is 100% right imo. spring for the HID's and it'll pay for itself by the 1st harvest versus if you choose cfls.

imo cfls are good for vegging, clones, side lighting, and small micro/stealth grows (ie. pc grows or 1-2 plant grows) but for 5+ plants i think you'll be happier with HID overall. more bang for your buck.

Remember OP the bulb of the HPS/MH will need to be replaced every few grows even if it still works as the lumen output on a mh/hps bulb will decrease after a few grows (matters on how much you use it). i personally replace mine after 2-3 grows but i buy cheaper hps bulbs so it doesnt matter to me. they can get as high as $150 per bulb if you buy the expensive ones but you can easily find HPS bulbs for $20-$50 brand new if you go to the right place. just thought id mention it so you're not shocked down the line.

SirLancelot said:

I don't think having an hid over cfls is that complicated you dont have to be an expert just plug it in. But as stated there expensive if you grow on a budget. But I personally like to spoil my plants and not short them on anything. But to me it's worth the extra $ for that extra you get in buds.

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There's hundreds of threads where newbees heat stress their plants.
For a new grower, having heat issues removed from the equation makes it that much easier for a successful grow.

Your pretty much stick with one spectrum with HPS, not so with CFL's

spectrums don't matter that much, Ive flowered with both MH and HPS. and ended up with both quality nugs.

mr.bond said:

oh yeah, and don't use miracle gro. save that for your lawn. lol

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Dont understand why people hate on MG, its a fertilizer that has the nutes plants need. i personally use it with just fine results but the all purpose stuff can and will burn your plants if you incorrectly dose.

oh and check out my thread. im no pro grower like these guys but im in the same boat as you with the budget. i plan on growing 1 plant in the end for less than 100$ and the setup will be usable again.

If spectrum doesn't matter there sure is a lot of people waisting time on it then.... Do you think Mother nature uses 1 spectrum?

I use the entire spectrum available in flouros and cfl's all throughout both veg and flowering.

yea i think that is prolly best, to hit with all spectrums I mean can't go wrong with it all ya know! plus more lumens is always better. it's kinda like when I make a compost tea or soil I like to throw everything in their not just one source of N or P but multiple, give them some variety/selection ya know!

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Good Luck
Loaded for Bud

HPS or MH all the way through produce fine buds thats a hell of a lot better than CFLs imo.

Ive grown all the way through with 1 HID (hps/mh) and with both at the same time (two lights, one had a mh and one had a hps and) i rotated the lights to sit over each one equally throughout the grow.

Heres what ive found out.

CFLs or t5's overall grow acceptable buds if used start to finish
a hps or a mh on its own for the whole grow will grow better/more professional buds and with a bigger yield.
hps AND mh used at the same time produces the ideal buds...the kind you find in magazines.

Each spectrum of lighting plays a role in both veg and flowering but don't be sucked into thinking you NEED both thats ridiculous especially when you're first starting out.

MH type spectrums 5000=6500K in VEG usually means closer node growth.
MH type spectrums 5000=6500K in FLOWER usually translate to better trich and rssin production

HPS in VEG tends to mean more distance between the nodes.
HPS in flowering makes for bigger/bulkier/more dense buds.

So both are ideal but like i said you could easily grow with one or the other all the way through. just avoid lights in the 3200-4800 range as that light spectrum is of little use to the plant.

As long as you have a good light spectrum it wont matter what you choose as all will grow you respectable buds.

Dont waste your money on T12's, they are opld school, go for the newer more efficient T5's

Dont Fear The Reefer said:

Dont waste your money on T12's, they are opld school, go for the newer more efficient T5's

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I agree, t-5's are more efficient, but people are forgetting that the op's on a budget.

Regardless, the facts are correct.

I missed what was offensive somewhere.

Rj like to argue with people

this guide helped me a lot http://thegreenpagesgrowguide.com/