What do you think about the lighting setup?
- Thread starter trunks87
- Start date
AllDayToker
Well-Known Member
I'd suggest figuring out a way to move those lights around. They are great where they are whi.e the plants an adult, but you want those lights 2-4 inches away from the plant, at all times. With this setup it will be hard for the seedings to grow, and they wil stetch a lot too.
if u have a lowes by you they have 40-46w 6500k anhd 2700k those would do a lot better. also if you can grab one of these setups http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-12131-sun-system-garden-bright-fluorescent-grow-light.aspx or this http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-11426-bright-wing-reflector-grow-lamp-fixture.aspx instead of the small cfl reflectors up top it would do you a lot better and order a 300watt 6500 and 2700 plus all your small cfls you will do much better. also for your seedlings put a few small lights lower to the ground for them.
i have a similler setup check it out https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/553778-journal-cfl-lighting-crippi.html
i have a similler setup check it out https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/553778-journal-cfl-lighting-crippi.html
Yes, Its easy to move them in/out up/down. I just set them up for fun while I wait. From what I understand they need to be adjusted all the time to be 2-4 inches away from the plant and I'm prepared to do that. I'll start alot lower and closer for the seedlings.
Will the higher wattage make that much diff if I have so many bulbs like this? I guess I could go for that if they're not like 3x the price. I got all these for about $ 2 a piece.
Thanks for your inputs.
remember the heat. those spirals give of a lot of heat with minimal light. general rule of thumb is 6 cfls spirals per plant if not more. if you have 4 plants thats 16 bulbs... with the bigger bulbs you use less and control heat better. just a suggestion. alos a rule of thumb is 80watts -100w per plant when using cfls. so 4 plants is 320watts at 23 per cfl is 13 bulbs you have 10. for blooming you need triple that. i am new at this so dont quote me but this is what i have read over the last 3 weeks on this site.
that being said go get a HPS setup for $250-$300. i have ac pumped as well into the closet wish i had a HPS setup.That's true about the heat, altough I'm not too worried as I have ac pumped into the closet
AllDayToker
Well-Known Member
Well to ignore what they said, 23w and 42w are the best to use because they give off more lumens per watt compared to other bulbs. Also my huge 68w CFLs put off a lot more heat then my 23ws, so using a bunch of those tiny CFLs will just benefit you compared to big CFLs, or HPS obviously.
I think your setup is fine for 1-2 mid sized plants. Make sure you plant doesn't get over 20", or you'll start losing the penetraion from the CFLs and get fluffier buds. I'd suggest keeping them at 15" max, seemed like the perfect height for all my previous grows while using CFLs.
I think your setup is fine for 1-2 mid sized plants. Make sure you plant doesn't get over 20", or you'll start losing the penetraion from the CFLs and get fluffier buds. I'd suggest keeping them at 15" max, seemed like the perfect height for all my previous grows while using CFLs.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
That dog will hunt, trunks. Get cracking on air now. Move it and a lot of it in that closed space. While it's empty use incense (wink wink) smoking and move fans around see where you can get the best swirl which is what is needed to exchange air in a space like that. Much bigger concern than lights.
15" vegged? or flowered?
Ok, I'm glad, cause I don't feel like returning all those bulbs lol. But yes, I plan on 2 plants at a time. Only 15" though? What would be stopping me from going as high as like 2'?
Yeah, I'm glad I have intake taken care of, and its already cold air.
I'm going to use one or two small household fans, but the problem is exhaust. I don't want to cut a hole in the wall, but if completely necessary I wouldn't be opposed..
HotShot7414
Well-Known Member
I totally agree.
AllDayToker
Well-Known Member
Flowered. As I did start my plants 12/12 from seed and restricted their height in small pots, thats how I did it. But by doing this I lost yield. I'd say if you vegged, using bigger pots, and mad LSTing or a SCROG setup, you can keep that 15-20" height, and not restrict root growth, and allow you to get a bigger yield.
AllDayToker
Well-Known Member
The reason why you can't go as high as 2 feet is because CFLs don't have the same pentration power as HPS's bulbs. HPS bulbs have a lot more power to reach the lowest of buds on the plant, and make your buds really dense, but also get that height.
CFLs have less pentration, which is another reason why you want your whole plenty surrounded by CFLs. But the higher you let them get, the more stretched out your buds will be, making them fluffy. You aquire the same dense buds you would with HPS lighting, you have to keep the plants smaller, and a good amount of coverage by bulbs.
no need to cut a hole in the wall for something as small as yours. just make sure the exhaust exits up into the air or out of the room here is what i did.
i got a peice of 90 deg roffing elbow and it pushes the air out of my closet.
before i pushed the air up my ceilings are 10ft in my closet to the hot air would rise and exit the the closet. both ways worked for me but the 90deg elbow keeps the room a few degrees cooler.and get some pretty big fans. these are honeywell fans from homedepot they are 9"
Alright, thanksAllDayToker. Would I be able to add more height if I added more lights going up as it grows? I just don't want to waste all that vertical that I have available (i haven't measured but its like 10').
Maybe I can have a two shelf system? Hmm, more planning.
Maybe I can have a two shelf system? Hmm, more planning.
You seem to have a box inside your closet. My box is my closet. Hence the hole would be needed. Thanks for the pics though.
1st floor, so that's a no go, thinking about dumping the air right into my room with one of these and a fan. It's just awkward because the ac vent is at the top, and the easiest place to vent out is at the bottom. I'm gonna make the setup today and see how my temps are with the lights on.
AllDayToker
Well-Known Member
Yes you can add more lights around the sides and top the taller it gets, it's all about getting proper lighting around the foilage, but I would highly suggest not trying to get super tall like that. Honestly the two shelf system seems like a pretty good idea.
And honestly your temps will more then likely be fine and you will not even need a vent system. I haven't vented any of my CFL systems and I'm on to my 5th grow.
Yeah, I might go with a two shelf system.
And that sounds good as far as venting goes, but I'll still put a small fan in there for circulation. I guess well have to see results.
This week I'll probably be starting some bagseed while I wait for the delivery, so we'll see how it goes.
And that sounds good as far as venting goes, but I'll still put a small fan in there for circulation. I guess well have to see results.
This week I'll probably be starting some bagseed while I wait for the delivery, so we'll see how it goes.