what size cfl bulbs should I use?

I have just 1 plant in a 2 gallon hempy bucket with 100% perlite. I have been using just small 23w 6500k cfl for lighting. I been using 4 so far. I have a few 42w cfls but they are 2700k. I know 6500k is for veg and 2700k is for flower. But would it be better to use the larger 42w cfls for more light or just stay with the smaller cfls?

42w would be much better.

saiyaneye said:

42w would be much better.

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ok thank you for the reply. Should I start with 2 or just go with 4?

The more the better. You need more light!

I honestly would recommend upgrading to a HPS or MH if you have the money and can control your temps

saiyaneye said:

The more the better. You need more light!

I honestly would recommend upgrading to a HPS or MH if you have the money and can control your temps

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Hello well this will be a small 1 plant grow. I have a 150 watt hps on the way. This is just a hobby for me. LOL

I would run those CFLs with the 150w HPS

saiyaneye said:

I would run those CFLs with the 150w HPS

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ok thank. so the 42w cfls would be ok to veg with till the bigger light gets here?

exactly what they said man, i use cfl for my shitty strains.
remember more light= more energy =better plant

if i was you, i would have had a look at some 150W cfls.
You could use 2x 135W CFL lights (which i use for seedlings) the whole way through your grow.

Use every CFL you own, more the merrier(and more yeild). I wouldn't worry about the K with CFL's, they're so weak i doubt it really matters. I started with CFL's, ran 42w's, 4 of em, 1 plant. Averaged 3 oz each on my first two grows i did with em.

And as mentioned run them along side the 150w when it comes.

Well, he is working with what he's got.

My understanding has been optimally, 2:1 ratio for veg. 6500k, 2700k, respectively. Then vice versa for flower. That being said, I would use whatever I had at the moment

the 150 watt equivalent (42 watts) are beautiful things.. I use 4 of them plus a 180 watt full spectrum ufo led on 1 plant. its perfect for 1 plant.




dont buy the mogul socket 300 watt cfls they're dumb expensive. you can get the 150 watters usually for about 7 bucks a piece.. I use the sylvania ones and they're awesome!

you can use a flowering globe for veg + flower but using a veging globe for flowering isnt going to give you anything near the product you could have.

I can get 42w CFLs for .99 cents here at our 99 cent store. I bought like 10 of them. They come 2 in a pack.

Are you sure that those CFL globes you mention actually disperse 42 true watts?
Or is it just equiv to 42W, common mistake by new growers trying to find cheap gear.

dopeleader said:

if i was you, i would have had a look at some 150W cfls.
You could use 2x 135W CFL lights (which i use for seedlings) the whole way through your grow.

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Totally I just checked some clones I'm doing under a 125w cfl. Normally I like to waste power and use a 400w, but my fan on the cool tube went today so swapped back to the smaller cfl. Guess it will save me some power along the way haha

kiwipaulie said:

Totally I just checked some clones I'm doing under a 125w cfl. Normally I like to waste power and use a 400w, but my fan on the cool tube went today so swapped back to the smaller cfl. Guess it will save me some power along the way haha

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hehe i use 2x 135W CFL's for seedlings/clones they are plenty powerful enough to get about 10 seedlings going, i could probibly use less but i hate having to give special attention to the stragglers hehe.

dopeleader said:

Are you sure that those CFL globes you mention actually disperse 42 true watts?
Or is it just equiv to 42W, common mistake by new growers trying to find cheap gear.

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nope, 42w cfl 2600 lumens. 150 equiv.

fair enoguh, if they work then go berserk.