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

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dannygrow

Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #1

Can you both veg and flower with cfl's? I'm hearing they're only good for vegging..... what about a 4 x 125w set up with reflector, could you veg and flower with a set up like that?

Something like this?

http://www.3ch.co.uk/grow-lights/fl...-cfl-125watt-reflector-package/prod_1231.html

Or this?

http://www.3ch.co.uk/grow-lights/fluorescent-grow-lights/clonelite-8-square-t5/prod_1263.html

 

ranchos429

Well-Known Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #2

yes you can flower with cfl.Bulbs with more blue better for veg,red for flower.

 

Gastanker

Well-Known Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #3

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.

 

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dannygrow

Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #4

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?

 

Gastanker

Well-Known Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #5

It could... I would recommend an HID for flower - or at least changing bulbs. T5 bulbs are much less expensive than large CFLs.

 

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dannygrow

Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #6

Gastanker said:

It could... I would recommend an HID for flower - or at least changing bulbs. T5 bulbs are much less expensive than large CFLs.

Click to expand...

Thanks mr gas.

 

Gastanker

Well-Known Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #7

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.

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.

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 -

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.

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.

This took place in a 2x3x3.5' area of a small closet.
​

 

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dannygrow

Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #8

I've already got a little set up with some temp issues here:

https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/537670-my-set-up-killing-my.html

In the last 24 hours I've got the temp down by about 5-10f to 83f to about 89f so hoping that'll help, I was looking at alternatives and cfl's looked perfect.....

 

Gastanker

Well-Known Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #9

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.

 

Gastanker

Well-Known Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #10

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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dannygrow

Member

• Jun 25, 2012

• #11

Gastanker said:

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.

Click to expand...

Ok nice one, I appreciate your help, thank very much, I'll keep you posted.......