side lighting questions thread

[SmokyLungs]

If i were to add side lighting to hit the lower bud sites plus my hang light mh/hps would that be better for my yield in flowering instead of lst/supercropping/topping and risk getting a hermie?

 

[SmokyLungs]

?

 

[GroErr]

If i were to add side lighting to hit the lower bud sites plus my hang light mh/hps would that be better for my yield in flowering instead of lst/supercropping/topping and risk getting a hermie?

I've tried side lighting in both veg and flowering, didn't see much difference in either. Only time I use it now is for heat if I need it in the winter. As far as hermies from LST/super-cropping, I do both and FIM every plant I grow and have yet to see a hermie. Hermie's are primarily caused by genetics, if they hermie because you trained it, cull it and find better genetics.

 

[harris hawk]

You will increase your yields by 50% using side-lighting properly - is a must for indoor grows - use in both stages (veg & flower) - side lighting will not produce :hermie's" many folks use CFL's for sidelighting - example; 500 watt cost - $ 25.00 USES ONLY 105 WATTS ENGERY COST OR 100 WATTER'S THAT USE ONLY 25 WATT ENGERY COST ( three for $10.00 about) let me know if you want name of company

 

[GroErr]

If your side lighting increases your yields by 50%, your primary lights are not efficient, get better primary lights. You'd be better off to make sure your room reflects as much light as possible than spending money on side-lighting.

 

[SmokyLungs]

I was growing in a tent where i had 3 5ft plants for my first grow so my lower buds werent gettin much light for my next grow i am fix my closet up for a grow room im gonna have 2 hang lights mh hps 400watt with side light cfls or i might do one hang light and screw the other 400watt mh hps light to the wall for side lighting

 

[GroErr]

I was growing in a tent where i had 3 5ft plants for my first grow so my lower buds werent gettin much light for my next grow i am fix my closet up for a grow room im gonna have 2 hang lights mh hps 400watt with side light cfls or i might do one hang light and screw the other 400watt mh hps light to the wall for side lighting

I've tried LED's and CFL's for side lighting, neither seemed to do much of anything other than add heat. Still keep and LED panel in my veg cabinet but only to add some heat in the coldest winter months.

What I found was that once I switched to CMH and better reflective material, the middle/lower bud sites are now normal size, not tiny popcorn buds and regardless of strain I'm running. Switching to those did a lot more than any side-lighting I had tried prior to that. If your tent can handle the heat it's worth trying if you have the equipment and don't mind paying for the extra electricity. With the MH option you'll have to either have 2 sides covered or cycle the plants around to get all sides. It'd be an interesting test though to have only one MH on one side-light and see what the difference is between the two sides...

 

[driel]

From what I've seen side lighting will help only when the top lights aren't sufficient but it's not to say that it can't help. I've seen some single tube t5s and cfls on bendy style lamp fixtures to target the inner buds since their heat signature is lower but I couldn't tell you if they actually improved the yield significantly. I'm a believer in trimming lower bud producing brances for cloning and having the tops get all the juice to maximize potency.

 

[SmokyLungs]

I've tried LED's and CFL's for side lighting, neither seemed to do much of anything other than add heat. Still keep and LED panel in my veg cabinet but only to add some heat in the coldest winter months.

What I found was that once I switched to CMH and better reflective material, the middle/lower bud sites are now normal size, not tiny popcorn buds and regardless of strain I'm running. Switching to those did a lot more than any side-lighting I had tried prior to that. If your tent can handle the heat it's worth trying if you have the equipment and don't mind paying for the extra electricity. With the MH option you'll have to either have 2 sides covered or cycle the plants around to get all sides. It'd be an interesting test though to have only one MH on one side-light and see what the difference is between the two sides...

Cmh? Is that different lighting than mh?

 

[GroErr]

Cmh? Is that different lighting than mh?

Yes, quite a bit different. Specifically the Philips 315w Elite Agro CMH, it's a 3100k flowering light, one of the most efficient other than high end LED's. It penetrates well and can cover a 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5' footprint, with the right strain they can pull a lb. per light. I run 2 of them, in the Sun Systems hoods, they produce nice bud.

 

[SmokyLungs]

Yes, quite a bit different. Specifically the Philips 315w Elite Agro CMH, it's a 3100k flowering light, one of the most efficient other than high end LED's. It penetrates well and can cover a 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5' footprint, with the right strain they can pull a lb. per light. I run 2 of them, in the Sun Systems hoods, they produce nice bud.
View attachment 3514992

A bit pricey and the bulb look different where would i put the bulb to what kind of socket and for a grow room would white paint be good i dont wanna have to deal with relector wall installation and having to wipe it down every once in a while

 

[GroErr]

You'll have to decide on the setup, your room. White paint is fine, I used 4x8 sheets of 1/2" insulation that have one reflective side. Easy to install, maintain, cheap. I hate painting though...

 

[SmokyLungs]

You'll have to decide on the setup, your room. White paint is fine, I used 4x8 sheets of 1/2" insulation that have one reflective side. Easy to install, maintain, cheap. I hate painting though...

Lol my closet room is already white so im just gonna give it a touch up n remove the carpet n add some white tiles