Does CFL diminish or lose spectrum through plexiglass?

cedarghost

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #1

I ask because I am 30+ days into 12/12 in a 4 plant scrog setup in a small bathroom vanity and I severely underestimated the canopy growth and thickness. So I am thinking of a way to provide bottom lighting and The easiest way I can think of is to replace the floor of the cabinet with plexiglass, which would enable me to place some cfls under my plants. Has anyone ever tried this or do you know if plexiglass filters anything from the spectrum or hinder lumens in any way?

 

N

northern lightz

New Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #2

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure u would lose some lumens. I would guess between 10 and 20% of the output. a cooltube reduces lumen output by about 10% and that is made of glass that's a lot more transparent than plexiglass I think.
Perhaps you could use chicken-wire or something like that for a bottom instead?

 

cedarghost

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #3

That's a good idea. I could increase airflow like that too, which would help with heat. Maybe instead of replacing the whole floor, I can just cut out holes for the bulbs then use single sockets and put some kind of wire cage over them. My only concern then would be getting water on them and POP...
Plus I was thinking about going hempy for my second grow and putting a tupperware container in the bottom to catch runoff. I will have to rethink that, for sure.

 

cedarghost

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #4

I just crammed too many plants into too small of a space without knowing what was going to happen (being my first grow and all).

 

topfuel29

Well-Known Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #5

cedarghost said:

I ask because I am 30+ days into 12/12 in a 4 plant scrog setup in a small bathroom vanity and I severely underestimated the canopy growth and thickness. So I am thinking of a way to provide bottom lighting and The easiest way I can think of is to replace the floor of the cabinet with plexiglass, which would enable me to place some cfls under my plants. Has anyone ever tried this or do you know if plexiglass filters anything from the spectrum or hinder lumens in any way?

Click to expand...

IMO- I wouldn't light the floor.
I would do side lighting. Either CFL or LED. You can put both right up next to your plants.
It would be a lot easier, and cheaper than re-working the floor of the Vanity.
I believe that would be your best option.

Good Luck on Your Grow.

 

cedarghost

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #6

My problem with side lighting is that I have no room. I could probably mount a couple of surge protectors. Maybe...
Here's how far the lights stick out in this little cabinet when they are side mounted.

This is an old picture too. The cabinet is WAY fuller now...

 

B166ER420

Well-Known Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #7

Light shining on the underside of the leaf is a waste.
I have plexiglass on my diy cfl fixtures and it works great.....allowing me to lower the light right on top of my plants and also catching the heat.The plexiglass was the non-uv blocking crystal clear.They have uv blocking type for home windows......
...anyway you'd be better off with those led bulbs as they can touch the leaves without burning or MY suggestion would be to add some t5's to the corners of the box and call it done.

Good looking plants friend!GL

 

cedarghost

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #8

Great suggestions. Thanks man.

 

B166ER420

Well-Known Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #9

See...the plexiglass.

 

topfuel29

Well-Known Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #10

IMO- go to fluorescent tubes, (as mentioned by B166ER420 )
theremore low profile, they won't stick out so much like the CFL bulbs.

or LED panels
always remember "the more light the better"