Potency with CFLs?

Hey everyone,

I'm just wondering whether the potency of the buds you grow under CFLs differs from buds grown with an HPS light. Will it be just as strong?

Thanks!

let me be the first to tell you, you're going to get 100 different answers. But yes, you can absolutely get a solid grow from pure CFL. HPS is going to be easier and probably produce more for a noob grower as the penetration of the light is deeper and does not require good placement, but in experienced hands, CFL's can do amazing things. Don't forget to add that UVB!

I second that of inneedofbuds. I myself grow with CFL and if you know what your doing and are very efficient with your space and distance you can grow some dank weed

I got one of those UVB bulb it doesnt seem brighter than the rest or is it just the spectrum its producing. How do you know its producing UVB?

vampsports said:

I got one of those UVB bulb it doesnt seem brighter than the rest or is it just the spectrum its producing. How do you know its producing UVB?

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I am now experimenting with my lights to change yields on my grows. I have now set me a baseline so that I now have something to base my results on and even change my baseline if I feel good about it.

But as to KNOWING it is producing UVB light, you wont unless you have the equipment to detect it. Otherwise you are just going to have test it yourself with and without it. OR you just take their word for it that it is. Hopefully it is a reputable company.

vampsports said:

I got one of those UVB bulb it doesnt seem brighter than the rest or is it just the spectrum its producing. How do you know its producing UVB?

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It'll give you a sunburn

You won't be able to see the UVB light it's producing. You might be able to feel some heat from it if you put your hand under it though

Never look at a UVB bulb. You really dont want to be in the same room when its on. You can get permanent retinal damage in a matter of minutes from staring at a UVB bulb. Its also very bad for your skin. As far as how much UVB your plants need, measurments have been taken in various parts in the world, and average noon time measurments around the equator are somewhere near 250 uW/cm2. That's microwatts per square meter. As apposed to jiggawatts, which are used for time travel. Most UVB lamps aren't going to come even close to this. For example, the Reptisun 10.0 floro UVB tubes, found here Amazon.com: Reptisun 10.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Lamp - 26W: Kitchen & Dining,
which a lot of people use, only put off about 10-30 uW/cm2. And even then they need to be very close to your plants. I have seen people try and use these 2 ft away from the plant and complain that they are getting no visible results. Well, duh.
What you want, if you have the room, is something like this. Mega-Ray EB 60 watt Flood UVB Lamp Kit - ReptileUV
It will produce 150-200 uW/cm2 from a distance of 12". More if closer. They also sell more powerful lamps, some however require a zoo license or phone call to the company to verify need.

How long should i use the uvb bulb? All 12 hours? Reflector or no reflector?
Anybody got ideas.

vampsports said:

How long should i use the uvb bulb? All 12 hours? Reflector or no reflector?
Anybody got ideas.

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what spec ?

and yes refelctor is nice... u save energy by 100 %

or thats the point ^^

its like running 2 of em just buy 2... in that case.. oh yeah u need the power thingy.. get reflector ^^

or u could buy 2 lights... ^^

whatever suits your style of growing man..... dont forget the cooltube is pretty neat.....

I just picked up a 275 watt UV bulb from a second hand store for a dollar. It was for indoor tanning. It says to never allow more than 2 minutes exposure to skin or you will have a sever burn.

Would this be good to implement in 30 minute intervals every couple hours once I get trichome production?