1sq foot grow area in Pc case with cfl - maximum watts i can use?

jabolo

jabolo

Active Member
Hi,

Using a pc case (size 1.4x1.4x0.7 ft or 43x44x20 cm) with grow area of 0.98 sq. Ft or 860 sq. Cm.
Rounding it up, say i got about 1 square foot of grow area, and very little height room.

I started with 3 bulbs but then decided what the hell lets put 2 more in there. So now i have 5 sockets.

My question is: what is the max total watt in cfl that i can use in that micro setup, before it starts being either too much light or just overkill, i.e. A waste of electricity?

I currently have 3 26w and 2 40w cfl bulbs = 158w total.

My potential maximum wattage is 3 40w + 2 26w = 172w total. Because of the availability of bulbs and space restrictions in the box.

Given the small size of the box, what watt (total) would you recommend?

Additional info:

- not worried with spectrum, all blue at the moment but im just buying whatever cfl thats cheap, whether bright or warm white, doesnt really matter to me as i believe more in lumens than spectrum.

- ventilation is made of 3 extracting fans (12cm and 2 8cm pc fans) and one 8cm pc fan for intake. Heat should not be an issue with these bulbs.

- havent tried growing cannabis before, let alone in a pc case.


Thanks in advance for any response. If you're not sure, still give me an idea based on your experience.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Peace in the leaf,

J.
 
bb61

bb61

Well-Known Member
Put your lights in, turn them on, turn on your fans, close your case and check back on it in a couple hours and check the temp. If its in the acceptable range you're set.

edit: do it at what time you would if you are growing. I have my lights off from 12pm-6pm so if I was check I would want to check it sometime between 6pm-12pm
 
karousing

karousing

Well-Known Member
in my experiences cfls are okay, make sure they have constant air movement over the lights because they do put out a ton of heat. use mylar or black/white poly wrap to line the inside, this will save you some lighting and lumens. try and reflect as much of the side light into the middle, towards the plant. you might want to look into SCROG (screen of green) to with a nice even canopy and keep the plant height in control.

in my grow it was 4 cfls @ 40w and a 4ft 2light t8 fluorescent with grow bulbs (never experienced burn or other problems attributed to lighting). i did change the cfls as need for veg/flower blue/red and uvb during flower. i would suggest trying to mimic the light cycles 18/6 17/7 16/8 15/9 14/10 13/11 12/12 to help ease the plant through the stages. If the plant experiences too much stress bad things can happen so its all about lovin that baby right or left or whatever.

SCROG techniques and help can be found in https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/515987-enter-scrog-scroggers-united-post.html

Tips on CFLs can be found at https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/

Timing information https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/676034-dont-switch-straight-12-12-a.html

Cab/Case growing can be found at https://www.rollitup.org/stealth-micro-cab-growing/

and in case you have some questions that have probably already been asked and answered https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/1326-101-already-asked-questions.html

this site has everything you need to not only learn but also teach others to grow.
 
jabolo

jabolo

Active Member
bb61 said:
Put your lights in, turn them on, turn on your fans, close your case and check back on it in a couple hours and check the temp. If its in the acceptable range you're set.

edit: do it at what time you would if you are growing. I have my lights off from 12pm-6pm so if I was check I would want to check it sometime between 6pm-12pm
Click to expand...
I just did that an hr ago so ill wait another hr before i open it and check the temperature. Will repeat experiment during warmer hours of the day tomorrow.

Thanks
 
jabolo

jabolo

Active Member
kook420 said:
check out these guys grows they have helped me out alot in my pc grow
grow on brotha
Chronikool

emannn2010

mewk69

Ogonzo
Click to expand...
bb61 said:
Put your lights in, turn them on, turn on your fans, close your case and check back on it in a couple hours and check the temp. If its in the acceptable range you're set.

edit: do it at what time you would if you are growing. I have my lights off from 12pm-6pm so if I was check I would want to check it sometime between 6pm-12pm
Click to expand...
karousing said:
in my experiences cfls are okay, make sure they have constant air movement over the lights because they do put out a ton of heat. use mylar or black/white poly wrap to line the inside, this will save you some lighting and lumens. try and reflect as much of the side light into the middle, towards the plant. you might want to look into SCROG (screen of green) to with a nice even canopy and keep the plant height in control.

in my grow it was 4 cfls @ 40w and a 4ft 2light t8 fluorescent with grow bulbs (never experienced burn or other problems attributed to lighting). i did change the cfls as need for veg/flower blue/red and uvb during flower. i would suggest trying to mimic the light cycles 18/6 17/7 16/8 15/9 14/10 13/11 12/12 to help ease the plant through the stages. If the plant experiences too much stress bad things can happen so its all about lovin that baby right or left or whatever.

SCROG techniques and help can be found in https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/515987-enter-scrog-scroggers-united-post.html




Tips on CFLs can be found at https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/

Timing information https://www.rollitup.org/advanced-marijuana-cultivation/676034-dont-switch-straight-12-12-a.html

Cab/Case growing can be found at https://www.rollitup.org/stealth-micro-cab-growing/

and in case you have some questions that have probably already been asked and answered https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/1326-101-already-asked-questions.html

this site has everything you need to not only learn but also teach others to grow.
Click to expand...

Thx! I hadnt check any of those apart from mewk's grow which i am still reading.

Btw, how do u sub to someone's jounal/ thread?
 
jabolo

jabolo

Active Member
Im running the lights thru the night with two seedlings n will check tomorrow morning if everything's okay.
 
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