Cfl's, veg only.....?

Go with the T5s. CFLs are essentially just bent T5s and create much more re-strike than linear florescents. CFLs are great when submerged between plants but not too good with reflectors.
 
Gastanker said:
Go with the T5s. CFLs are essentially just bent T5s and create much more re-strike than linear florescents. CFLs are great when submerged between plants but not too good with reflectors.
Click to expand...

So will that t5 set up veg from seed then flower to bud without having to change the bulbs?
 
It could... I would recommend an HID for flower - or at least changing bulbs. T5 bulbs are much less expensive than large CFLs.
 
This might help - if you're interested in running more wattage for cheaper.

HID are easy and pretty cheap but are hot and require a bit of extra gear. For cheap cheap grows I would recommend CFLs. To do it cheap focus on 23w CFLs only (other bulb cost much more $/w and $/lumen) and try to find sales. I can find 23w bulb at the dollar store any day for $1/each to $1 for 2. I can often find sales at home depot for 4 packs for $1. For fixtures I would recommend cheap bathroom vanity lights. These 4 bulb fixtures are only $4.50 http://www.lightingdirect.com/maxim-...ection/p860557

You can easily make adjustable reflectors... With Y splitters ($1.50 each) you can easily double your wattage. I can run 368w of CFL for less than $40.

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Here's my generic blurb on CFL grows -
I was pulling an oz a week with 388w of CFL here - First CFL Grow - Help appreciated

I would recommend a 3:1 of 6500K:2700K for veg and the opposite for flower.

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Keep them small! CFLs don't do nearly as well with large plants unless you keep a clean scrog or LST. I started flowering at this size -

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Dropping bulb between plants maximizes plant absorption without the loss of restrike like you would have with a reflector. I tried to cover the canopy in smaller bulbs and submerge larger bulbs between plants.

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I would yield ~ 1oz per plant. With 6 in full flower at a time and two others just rotating into the flower box I was able to harvest a plant per week.

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This took place in a 2x3x3.5' area of a small closet.
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89 is fine. If your plants are dying it's not due to the ambient temps in the tent. I would spend the money on a vented hood and keep the HID. Maybe use a few CFLs for when they are babies just to save energy.
 
Or purchase a larger tent - that's an easy way to lower temps. Your tent looks great - I wouldn't waste it on CFLs, and I'm a big fan of CFLs.
 
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