setting up lights to raise and lower.

[iron joint]

So this is my first post but i have been reading on this sight for a few weeks and decided to start a small grow. Since i didn't think i was ready for HID or HPS i bought a fluorex 100watt CFL. It's really efficient for a CFL, putting out 10,500 lumen. The only thing im having trouble with is the mechanism to raise and lower the bulb over the grow area.

I just want to grow 2 plants under this light and i beleive with proper reflectors this should be fine.

Also, as a side note: I see that everyone uses aluminum foil as the main reflector in their boxes and i was wondering. If you know where/how to have mirrors cut would they reflect the light back into the area more efficiently then aluminum foil?

 

[burninjay]

aluminum foil or mirrors will do no better than flat white paint. get some mylar. emergency blankets are a cheap source of this.

 

[jawbrodt]

Mirrors are almost useless as reflectors, so don't even try it. They absorb most of the light, and are very inefficient reflectors. Get some mylar and cardboard, and you'll get 90+% reflectivity. Aluminum foil is about 70% reflective. And some think foil will burn your plants, but it's not an issue when you use fluoros, so you can use it if you wish. Either that, or buy a reflector, or reflective cone off Ebay.

 

[iron joint]

Thanks guys, now how do you rig up your light raising system?

 

[jawbrodt]

I have all mine hanging from hooks, attached with small chains. It works pretty good, and is quick to adjust.

 

[connorbrown]

I use flat white paint. Its about 80% reflective.
And about the light hanging stuff. I just destroy a lamp and take the cord, hang a hook, and then wrap it on the hook. easy to raise and lower.

 

[Illegal Smile]

BTW, 100w cfl is not going to grow 2 plants. I would want at least 300w.

 

[connorbrown]

True. 1x100w cfl wont grow it. but multiple cfls adding up to 100w will grow 2.

 

[Illegal Smile]

I guess that depends on how you define grow. 2 plants of any size at all will not do well or yield much under 100w of cfls. Take 2 3-4 ft indicas for example. They are going to take up about 4 sq ft of grow space. 100w cfl is 6400 lumens, only 1600 per sq ft when 5000 is a minimum for flowering.

 

[northeastern lights]

As far as raising and lowering the light, I highly recommend yo-yo style light hangers. Depends on your local shop but they range from 15-20$ for a pair. Let me tell you I just got them for my new room and they are fantastic. No more ropes and pulleys or chains to deal with. Super easy.

 

[northeastern lights]

A pic of mine in action. Simply tie and use the wing nut to adjust tension. All you do is push down to lower and lift to raise and they automaticly retract.

 

[iron joint]

I guess that depends on how you define grow. 2 plants of any size at all will not do well or yield much under 100w of cfls. Take 2 3-4 ft indicas for example. They are going to take up about 4 sq ft of grow space. 100w cfl is 6400 lumens, only 1600 per sq ft when 5000 is a minimum for flowering.

Read my whole post, its much more lumens then that.

 

[potunia420]

those yo yo lookin things seem pretty nifty. i go with the chain method tho and its been working sweet for me thus far