Can I use CFL's for both vegging and flowering?

medicinallymedicated

medicinallymedicated

Member
Hey all,

Let me start off by saying this is my first grow and my knowledge of growing is very limited to say the least. :dunce: I checked out this guys website http://www.growweedeasy.com/easiest-grow-method-cfl-coco-coir and he says you can use cfl's for both stages of growth. That's what he says, but I've heard that you need different types of lights. So I basically need to know if this guys method is legit or totally worthless. Whats intriguing about his method is its very practical for my budget and seems really easy for newbs like me. I know differnt methods like hydroponics, etc. can get massive yields, but truthfully Im just looking to harvest herb for medicinal purposes, for myself. So as long as I have enough wach month Ill definately be a happy guy. If anybody can help me out with this question Id appreciate it, thanks in advance.
 
OrangeHaze

OrangeHaze

Well-Known Member
Yep you can use cfl for all stages, you will need the colors or "temperature" 5500 to 6500k for veg, and 2700k for flowering.

CFLs don't penetrate as well as some lights so you will need to keep them close to the plants. 1 to 2 inches. Have a fan blowing directly at the bulbs to cool them. Good luck!
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Its not really necessary to have different light. I've vegged with hps and the similar cfl likewise I've flowered with mh and the equivalent cfl.... good results can be had with either but if you have to choose, the flowering spectrum cfl is best
 
medicinallymedicated

medicinallymedicated

Member
Thanks for the reply qwiz, thats good to hear, makes life a little easier. I've had some people tell me on forums that this is going to be a 500-1000 expense. After reading up on everything I need I can easily do it for $200. No need to make it more complicated, its just a plant!:weed:

qwizoking said:
Its not really necessary to have different light. I've vegged with hps and the similar cfl likewise I've flowered with mh and the equivalent cfl.... good results can be had with either but if you have to choose, the flowering spectrum cfl is best
Click to expand...
 
thunderrod

thunderrod

Member
OrangeHaze said:
Yep you can use cfl for all stages, you will need the colors or "temperature" 5500 to 6500k for veg, and 2700k for flowering.

CFLs don't penetrate as well as some lights so you will need to keep them close to the plants. 1 to 2 inches. Have a fan blowing directly at the bulbs to cool them. Good luck!
Click to expand...
this guy knows his stuff.
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Yea it can be done for 1-200 quite easily. You should get the 23-26 watt bulbs, the brand I used made 23 watt bulbs. So I made a hood with 24 23 watt bulbs, zipties , those y splitters and a socket outlet adapter. You can the zip tie 6 light bulbs on a 6-8 outlet extension cord/surge protector... I also have some 42's down low but I pull a lb off 8 plants in a double stacked Rubbermaid....using miracle grow:)
 
medicinallymedicated

medicinallymedicated

Member
haha helll ya. If I can pull anything close to that Ill be all thumbs up :bigjoint:Just makes more sense to grow then to spend so much at dispensaries or pickn up from other people, then you have no idea how clean the trees are.
 
mrbungle79

mrbungle79

Well-Known Member
hell go ahead and mix the spectrums I would do a 6400k 0r 6500k whichever you can find at home depot or wherever and a 2700k on a Y. cover the spectrum that way
 
weedow

weedow

Member
yes, CFLs can do well for vegging and flowering. i can say yes coz i did used this kind of light for my first grow.. aside from cheaper to run, CFLs can be be put as close as possible to the plants (about 2 to 3 inches)bcoz they do not emit much heat unlike HID
 
perspextoe

perspextoe

Active Member
II am a noob aswell and have gone cfl route, about to switch to flowering tomorrow but everything has gone sweet so far....
My sig has my thread, have a read through as I have tried to help myself and people coming by adding as much detail of what I am doing...

Good luck with ure grow bro...
 
Mr.Head

Mr.Head

Well-Known Member
Yes but you will have a pain in the ass during the stretch, your plants will most likely be growing into the lights daily if you are keeping them as close as you are supposed to. IME CFL's are a huge pain in the ass for the first 2-3 weeks of flower, after that it's not bad. Personally I liked a mix of 20ish watters and 45 watt bulbs. I mixed the spectrum more daylight for veg, more softwhite for flower. I'd run 4 softwhite with 2 daylight in the main hood I have and then 1 daylight 1 softwhite in the desklamps with Y splitters.

As for heat, I had about 350 in CFL's in a 2x2 tent switched to a HID and went up maybe 5 degrees and I didn't have 4 desklamps on my floor to knock over and break bulbs (<--the main reason I stopped using CFL's for flower still use for veg) Side lighting is another pain in the ass. I suggest SCrog, or just heavy lollipopping.

A half decent HID and hood is much easier to cool then 10-20 CFL's. At least in my space. I can never get my hands on those handy dandy clip on oscillating desk fans, those would make growing with CFL's a lot easier. Can clip em right on to home made reflector. Certainly not paying the $30 they want for a single one on zon canada.
 
ruffrider

ruffrider

Active Member
Mr.Head said:
Yes but you will have a pain in the ass during the stretch, your plants will most likely be growing into the lights daily if you are keeping them as close as you are supposed to. IME CFL's are a huge pain in the ass for the first 2-3 weeks of flower, after that it's not bad. Personally I liked a mix of 20ish watters and 45 watt bulbs. I mixed the spectrum more daylight for veg, more softwhite for flower. I'd run 4 softwhite with 2 daylight in the main hood I have and then 1 daylight 1 softwhite in the desklamps with Y splitters.

As for heat, I had about 350 in CFL's in a 2x2 tent switched to a HID and went up maybe 5 degrees and I didn't have 4 desklamps on my floor to knock over and break bulbs (<--the main reason I stopped using CFL's for flower still use for veg) Side lighting is another pain in the ass. I suggest SCrog, or just heavy lollipopping.

A half decent HID and hood is much easier to cool then 10-20 CFL's. At least in my space. I can never get my hands on those handy dandy clip on oscillating desk fans, those would make growing with CFL's a lot easier. Can clip em right on to home made reflector. Certainly not paying the $30 they want for a single one on zon canada.
Click to expand...

Heres a nice clip on http://www.computervalley.ca/dfn-06/6in-clip-on-fan-white-?gclid=CJKBka2I07oCFQVgMgoddGsANw $15.

I have one of these for my flower tent http://www.computervalley.ca/bdht-5016/845965002931/black-decker-floor-fan-40640-mm-diameter-3-speed-pivoting-head-comfortable-handle?zenid=be071cc733fbebcb5291db4a41506ed7 . Works just as well as the clip thoo I didnt pay $40 for mine. :hump:


Then theres this which reminds of me of like a mini ac or something http://www.amazon.com/Lasko-4006-Clip-Stik-2-SPEED/dp/B000RL0O1C $25
 
Mr.Head

Mr.Head

Well-Known Member
That last lasko one is neat as hell. Definitely will be grabbing that one next time I'm in the US, have that sweeping right over the tops. I have one of their utility fans. (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-Multi-Purpose-Pivoting-Utility-Fan-U12100/19861415) Those things should be in every grow room, you can hook up 6 inch ducting to the one side, I noticed Subcool has like 6 in his room :). I use it as my intake. Will be getting another one for the carbon filter. Someone posted them on here before, don't know who it is, but I owe that person some thanks and some rep. I have ran it 24/7 for 6 monthish now not a single sound from the thing.

also thanks for the links :)
 
ruffrider

ruffrider

Active Member
Mr.Head said:
That last lasko one is neat as hell. Definitely will be grabbing that one next time I'm in the US, have that sweeping right over the tops. I have one of their utility fans. (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-Multi-Purpose-Pivoting-Utility-Fan-U12100/19861415) Those things should be in every grow room, you can hook up 6 inch ducting to the one side, I noticed Subcool has like 6 in his room :). I use it as my intake. Will be getting another one for the carbon filter. Someone posted them on here before, don't know who it is, but I owe that person some thanks and some rep. I have ran it 24/7 for 6 monthish now not a single sound from the thing.

also thanks for the links :)
Click to expand...
No problem always like helping a fellow grower out. :)

That utility fan looks hella interesting and for only $50 I might have to go pick one up myself. You say it can take 6' ducting which is perfect because i have a bunch laying around, right now im only using passive intake system. So i'm thinking that would work wonders as an intake with some ducting hooked up to it :D !

If you come across the link on attaching a carbon filter to it send it my way I'd like to have a read.
Seems like something that could save a decent amount of money.. the inline fans i use now aren't the cheapest things hahah.
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
I've never spent more than $15 on a fan dang
I use box fans..work great they just can't pump air, they will stall under pressure..in ducting known as a booster fan. They move air but it has to be able to move
20"-$15-3000 cfm...they get smaller and I keep em on low or too much air
 
ruffrider

ruffrider

Active Member
qwizoking said:
I've never spent more than $15 on a fan dang
I use box fans..work great they just can't pump air, they will stall under pressure..in ducting known as a booster fan. They move air but it has to be able to move
20"-$15-3000 cfm...they get smaller and I keep em on low or too much air
Click to expand...
How big is your grow space? Just curious cause I wanted to put a 16" stand up fan in my 4x4 but its like a friggin tropical storm with the wind.
 
qwizoking

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
My hps grow(s) is like 3x4...its not enclosed though..might make a dif,
I like em...I'm really cheap though

My cfl is 20"x26" and I also use a fan on low..its a double stacked Rubbermaid with the 20" box fan attatched to the side
I think they will work just about anywhere
 
Sunbiz1

Sunbiz1

Well-Known Member
Mr.Head said:
Yes but you will have a pain in the ass during the stretch, your plants will most likely be growing into the lights daily if you are keeping them as close as you are supposed to. IME CFL's are a huge pain in the ass for the first 2-3 weeks of flower, after that it's not bad. Personally I liked a mix of 20ish watters and 45 watt bulbs. I mixed the spectrum more daylight for veg, more softwhite for flower. I'd run 4 softwhite with 2 daylight in the main hood I have and then 1 daylight 1 softwhite in the desklamps with Y splitters.

As for heat, I had about 350 in CFL's in a 2x2 tent switched to a HID and went up maybe 5 degrees and I didn't have 4 desklamps on my floor to knock over and break bulbs (<--the main reason I stopped using CFL's for flower still use for veg) Side lighting is another pain in the ass. I suggest SCrog, or just heavy lollipopping.

A half decent HID and hood is much easier to cool then 10-20 CFL's. At least in my space. I can never get my hands on those handy dandy clip on oscillating desk fans, those would make growing with CFL's a lot easier. Can clip em right on to home made reflector. Certainly not paying the $30 they want for a single one on zon canada.
Click to expand...
I hear you on side lighting, so I took a different route...360 added W's of mercury vapor UVB spotlighting to penetrate canopies.

Otherwise known as uncoated reptile bulbs, I now work on my tan in the flower room....j/k.

:peace:
 
ruffrider

ruffrider

Active Member
qwizoking said:
My hps grow(s) is like 3x4...its not enclosed though..might make a dif,
I like em...I'm really cheap though

My cfl is 20"x26" and I also use a fan on low..its a double stacked Rubbermaid with the 20" box fan
I think they will work just about anywhere
Click to expand...
I think its just the material maybe because I usually grow in a 4x4 actual room (drywall) however im renovating it at the moment so im in a 4x4 make shift grow tent.

In my actual room my 20in is fine but the tent its like a tropical storm haha. Once I get my actual room back and running I'll have to give the box fan a try. I like to experiment with different setups.
 
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