I originally wanted to have 1-2 plants growing in a small closet using your basic small watt cfl bulbs. Unfortunately, I got ahead of myself and ended up with quite a few more and although they're still babies, my 6 27 and 42 watt bulbs are a bit lacking for what's in there now. My question is, how many more similar type cfl bulbs can I add before I need to worry about drawing any unwanted attention from law enforcement? I've got 3 more bulbs I can add at any time, but then I'm pushing close to 10 bulbs for a small closet grow and that's probably a bit more than I had planned to use to begin with. So yeah, that's basically it. I don't want to over do it. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Using CFL to grow, how much light is too much before you attract unwanted attention?
- Thread starter Mistik076
- Start date
HghFlyrJD1
Active Member
I have 18 going in a standard size closet lol never over 80degrees with 2 fans inside and door cracked alil.Under 75 with windows open in the room.im about to step up to 20+
Carne Seca
Well-Known Member
I'm not quite sure I understand your question. Are you talking about the increase in your usage of electricity that would draw their attention or heat from the lights showing up on an infrared camera? considering that you're using CLF's, the cost shouldn't rise significantly. And as for the heat from the lights? Unless you're setting up 2000 watts of lighting in your grow area you should be fine. What is "quite a few more?" How many did you end up with?
Thanks. I was hoping it was some absurdly high amount like that. Although now that creates a different problem and that's fighting the urge to continuously add more lights.
Illegal Smile
Well-Known Member
200 w still wouldn't be enough. I've done several grows with cfls and it isn't worth it. You would be better off all around with a 150w hps in there.
HghFlyrJD1
Active Member
iM RUNNING ALIL OVER 400WATTS AND GET ABOUT 2 oz DRY FROM 1 MEDIUM PLANT
Both. It wasn't a huge concern right now since I'm only running a few lights but it was still something in the back of my head that I felt I had to at least ask just to be sure. First time grower here and I've made almost every mistake so far that you can make just starting out. Including one of the biggest mistakes and that was germinating ALL 12 of my seeds. Wasn't thinking, got the seeds in my hand and 20 minutes later they were all soaking in between a couple of wet paper towels. So 9 of the 12 are now sitting nice and snug in my little closet. Too many, way too many, I know. I was so caught up in thinking about designs and what light system to go with that I just overlooked it and I'm sure I've wasted the majority of them now because I won't be adding enough lights to try and grow that many. Oddly enough I'm hoping the majority turn out to be male so I don't kick myself too hard for making such a silly mistake when it comes time to thin em out.
I've thought about it and still may go that route. For now, I'm stuck using the cfls.
HghFlyrJD1
Active Member
Take some cuttings(clones) from the females, that will give u time with the others this way you dont loose the other strains
sso
Well-Known Member
a computer without the screen is 500w+ easy,many are 650 or 700w now. usually run continously all day long.
a toaster is 600w or so.my fishtank is easily 300w´s , without the 200w heater.
big screen tvs´pull a fair bit too, same goes for big stereos (mine draws 600w)
you´d need to draw quite abit before the powercompanies started fucking with their Customers.
as for heat.
as long as you dont went straight outside, heatguns wont see you and even then if you went it in an approiate place, its allright, as long as you just got a bit.
usually grows fail from 2 things, talking to the wrong people about the grow (some would say, dont tell anyone, to be sure)
or failed stealth (smell and lightleaks and whatnot, though smell usually only happens with big grows, i know a guy that grew 2 plants, under 150w hps and fluo and you could smell it all around his apartment, despite all sorts of carsmellythingies, it didnt cause a trouble for him and he said to heck with it, but he´s probably getting a carbon filter)
(ive grown for 4 years and have never needed one, though i grow with a 600, strain and location)
a toaster is 600w or so.my fishtank is easily 300w´s , without the 200w heater.
big screen tvs´pull a fair bit too, same goes for big stereos (mine draws 600w)
you´d need to draw quite abit before the powercompanies started fucking with their Customers.
as for heat.
as long as you dont went straight outside, heatguns wont see you and even then if you went it in an approiate place, its allright, as long as you just got a bit.
usually grows fail from 2 things, talking to the wrong people about the grow (some would say, dont tell anyone, to be sure)
or failed stealth (smell and lightleaks and whatnot, though smell usually only happens with big grows, i know a guy that grew 2 plants, under 150w hps and fluo and you could smell it all around his apartment, despite all sorts of carsmellythingies, it didnt cause a trouble for him and he said to heck with it, but he´s probably getting a carbon filter)
(ive grown for 4 years and have never needed one, though i grow with a 600, strain and location)
yesum
Well-Known Member
May as well get a 250 watt over the 150. More efficient if you are gonna go that way. Yea, I used to worry as you do, but you have to be in the thousands of watts before any signs are put out.
I grow some using cfl, my way is 2 26 watt 3000k bulbs in y splitter in clamp reflector. Each one of those is good for a single 1 foot plant, start to finish.
I grow some using cfl, my way is 2 26 watt 3000k bulbs in y splitter in clamp reflector. Each one of those is good for a single 1 foot plant, start to finish.
