zfr
Member
Hey guys. I'm starting my first grows soon. I have built to fit in my closet a tent of PVC and panda film, with good ventilation etc. I'd like to go HPS after a while when I have the chance, but for the time being I'm using CFLs, because freaking cheap.
Costco currently has a massssssive sale on CFLs. 6 packs of 23w felts (2700k) are ~4 bucks after tax, so I got like 20 boxes (I use them around the house too) as well as a metric fuckton of 13 watters (which i doubt I'll use during growing, but theyre available). Anyways, here's my set up. Tent is 2x5' (just shy of 5' really). I have 2 scrog nets set up, although I may mainline as well/instead/godblessexperimentation. For reference, you can see one of these with my proposed layout below. Theyre about 22" square. I have 2 of these, each with one plant growing underneath [Each row of lights (6 bulbs) costs me ~10 dollars (4 for bulbs, 4 for the lamp bases, and 2 for the splitters). As shown below I'm looking at 2 rows per plant (so 276w actual per), but I might consider moving the rows towards the outside and doing a third pair in the middle, which would be 690W total, or 345w per plant. I'm planning on wiring it up so individual pairs of bulbs (any specific lamp base) can be turned on/off at will, because I don't need anywhere near that much juice firing when they're first going etc. I am planning on building the frame(s) they are mounted in out of hardwood plywood wrapped in either pandafilm or mylar. I have an excess of both films as well as the wood so this is no added cost to me. I would then make a "reflector" (LOL) by simply tacking down either film over the top of the frame as well.
I was also considering slightly angling them. I know that the sides clearly give out significantly more light. I was thinking that by leaving them flat, the light projecting directly upwards would be angled right back at the bulb and pretty much be lost. By angling them just a few degrees so theyre not perfectly coplanar, I might be able to improve slightly the amount of light reflected back down at the plants, as well as just focus more light going down towards the core of the plant in the first place. Any input on this would be appreciated.
I guess what I'm really asking is if anyone can see a better layout for my bulbs, or sees any problems with my construction ideas as well as input on
If anyone is curious about other details, I'm growing Female Seeds' Iced Grapefruit, 2 at a time, each in a 5 gallon bucket. Using some ammended Nature's Way organic potting soil. Not sure on nutes yet. ~2'x5'x6' tent. I'd be curious if anyone has any estimates on yields for an average grow of this type, but I know thats not accurate for beans haha.
TL;DR Here's my suggested layout and construction, any input or suggestions would be appreciated.
Considerations
Thanks guys!
Costco currently has a massssssive sale on CFLs. 6 packs of 23w felts (2700k) are ~4 bucks after tax, so I got like 20 boxes (I use them around the house too) as well as a metric fuckton of 13 watters (which i doubt I'll use during growing, but theyre available). Anyways, here's my set up. Tent is 2x5' (just shy of 5' really). I have 2 scrog nets set up, although I may mainline as well/instead/godblessexperimentation. For reference, you can see one of these with my proposed layout below. Theyre about 22" square. I have 2 of these, each with one plant growing underneath [Each row of lights (6 bulbs) costs me ~10 dollars (4 for bulbs, 4 for the lamp bases, and 2 for the splitters). As shown below I'm looking at 2 rows per plant (so 276w actual per), but I might consider moving the rows towards the outside and doing a third pair in the middle, which would be 690W total, or 345w per plant. I'm planning on wiring it up so individual pairs of bulbs (any specific lamp base) can be turned on/off at will, because I don't need anywhere near that much juice firing when they're first going etc. I am planning on building the frame(s) they are mounted in out of hardwood plywood wrapped in either pandafilm or mylar. I have an excess of both films as well as the wood so this is no added cost to me. I would then make a "reflector" (LOL) by simply tacking down either film over the top of the frame as well.
I was also considering slightly angling them. I know that the sides clearly give out significantly more light. I was thinking that by leaving them flat, the light projecting directly upwards would be angled right back at the bulb and pretty much be lost. By angling them just a few degrees so theyre not perfectly coplanar, I might be able to improve slightly the amount of light reflected back down at the plants, as well as just focus more light going down towards the core of the plant in the first place. Any input on this would be appreciated.
I guess what I'm really asking is if anyone can see a better layout for my bulbs, or sees any problems with my construction ideas as well as input on
If anyone is curious about other details, I'm growing Female Seeds' Iced Grapefruit, 2 at a time, each in a 5 gallon bucket. Using some ammended Nature's Way organic potting soil. Not sure on nutes yet. ~2'x5'x6' tent. I'd be curious if anyone has any estimates on yields for an average grow of this type, but I know thats not accurate for beans haha.
TL;DR Here's my suggested layout and construction, any input or suggestions would be appreciated.
Considerations
- $10 a row for 6 cfls (2700k)
- 138w per row
- Made from 6" wide strips of plywood wrapped in mylar/pandafilm
- Covered with mylar/pandafilm for a reflector
- Angle them to improve light direction/amount reflected?
Thanks guys!
