jointluver
Well-Known Member
2000 u say? really what other bulb would be good for that other than a hps one and that can save energy?
Ill do you one better because i just started growing and am using 1 30 watt cfl.I assume you're dodgy about HPS because of cost issues. If that's the case, your best bet is going to be CFLs (cool white for vegging, warm for blooming.) Among the options I've seen, the lowest dollar to watt ratio is the 30w from this site:
30 Watt Compact Fluorescents
Each bulb produces 2000 lumens for an end price of right around $4
Assuming you have the fixtures (if not $10 at Home Depot & some basic wiring can set you up) you could put one or two over each plant, and you'd see a world of difference.
If you're going to use more than one or two, you would be better off still with a low wattage HPS. Anything under 150w will fit in to a regular light socket, and will give you better intensity and efficiency than the CFL's. As the cost per lumen is a little better than the CFL's, (a 70w bulb will run you $6 and give you about 6000 lumens) and the run more efficiently throughout the grow, this is going to be your most cost effective option hands down. If you do go this way, make sure the bulb has an E26 medium base, not an E39 mogul base (that's the larger size that requires a ballast)