Zigzagreef
Active Member
My grow box is Width:21 x Length:19 x Height:30 How much cfl light do i need to grow in a box that size? Currently im running 3 26 6500k daylight bright bulbs.
How many CFLs do i need?
- Thread starter Zigzagreef
- Start date
justugh
Well-Known Member
ok the light wave is right
it is now the lumens u are asking about ............it depends on the bulbs u picked some can be 1500 some 1800.................u want about 5000 to 6000 lumens for your buiddies .......alot of the bulbs have this info printed on the side of them little black print ( not all do but most ) u can get your lumens off that if not it was on the box somewhere ............(take a sharpy and mark the bulbs what they are Kelvin wise or box the area with the info will save u later )
i learned a trick ....take your hand put it at the top of the plant turn the lights on if after 30 secs there your hand feels to warm the lights are to close to the plant
it is now the lumens u are asking about ............it depends on the bulbs u picked some can be 1500 some 1800.................u want about 5000 to 6000 lumens for your buiddies .......alot of the bulbs have this info printed on the side of them little black print ( not all do but most ) u can get your lumens off that if not it was on the box somewhere ............(take a sharpy and mark the bulbs what they are Kelvin wise or box the area with the info will save u later )
i learned a trick ....take your hand put it at the top of the plant turn the lights on if after 30 secs there your hand feels to warm the lights are to close to the plant
BluntM8
Active Member
cfl is old tech. you wouldn't buy a playstation 3 after the P4 drops would you?
get yourself some cree xml and drive em 4volts@3amps = 12watts/LED.
If your buying a new car, don't go to a used lot.
New pussy is always better than old pussy.
http://www.trcelectronics.com/led-drivers.shtml
and
http://intl-outdoor.com/led-xml2-c- or 107_136.html
or
http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/categories/CREE/XM%2dL/
or
http://www.led-tech.de/de/High-Power...c_120_170.html
or
http://www.led-tech.de/de/High-Power...c_120_117.html
or
http://www.mouser.com/Cree-Inc/Optoelectronics/LED-Lighting/LED-Emitters/High-Power-LEDs-White/_/N-8usfj?P=1yzs6io&Keyword=XML
get yourself some cree xml and drive em 4volts@3amps = 12watts/LED.
If your buying a new car, don't go to a used lot.
New pussy is always better than old pussy.
http://www.trcelectronics.com/led-drivers.shtml
and
http://intl-outdoor.com/led-xml2-c- or 107_136.html
or
http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/categories/CREE/XM%2dL/
or
http://www.led-tech.de/de/High-Power...c_120_170.html
or
http://www.led-tech.de/de/High-Power...c_120_117.html
or
http://www.mouser.com/Cree-Inc/Optoelectronics/LED-Lighting/LED-Emitters/High-Power-LEDs-White/_/N-8usfj?P=1yzs6io&Keyword=XML
justugh
Well-Known Member
hey i just have to say old tech works when the new tech gets a faults ...................most ppl now if they lost a cell phone or ended up lost with no navi system are freaking out ................. a buddy was about mile ahead of me on a path and this lady is why not call him so i yelled and called him she looks at me i ment on the cell phone ........i looked at her and said why this works and it is free and always works
any one can make something more complex it takes a true genius to simplify it
any one can make something more complex it takes a true genius to simplify it
legallyflying
Well-Known Member
Hey now, I love old pussy
It's cfl grows that I make fun of
It's cfl grows that I make fun of
Zigzagreef
Active Member
Great info but on a budget. Love growing with cfls had much success the first grow check out my journal at the bottom.
Few pics of my current grow.
View attachment 2693875
Zigzagreef
Active Member
yea i ment how many lumens i need i have atm 4800 lums total... ill add one more bulb to get over the 5000 hump also the bulbs are 26w 1600 lumens each.
Here is a few pics of my lights & plant & heat exhaust set up.
Assuming your measurements are in inches, you need to work on an absolute minimum of 2000 lumen per square foot of area, so I figured you have almost 3 square foot of area to cover, so approximately 6000 lumen, if your lamps are say 55 lumen per watt then for 23watt lamps you need approximately five.
It is worth noting that CFL bulbs do not radiate as much infrared energy as sodium of metal halide which means you can have them really close to your plants.
By close I mean something like two inches, but do like justugh says and use the hand test, this is for testing radiated infrared energy.
Another thing you can do is to add reflectors to the lamps which will really improves things, and also adding supplemental lighting at the base of your plants helps to improve bud density, and reflectors on the pots also.
It is worth noting that CFL bulbs do not radiate as much infrared energy as sodium of metal halide which means you can have them really close to your plants.
By close I mean something like two inches, but do like justugh says and use the hand test, this is for testing radiated infrared energy.
Another thing you can do is to add reflectors to the lamps which will really improves things, and also adding supplemental lighting at the base of your plants helps to improve bud density, and reflectors on the pots also.
Zigzagreef
Active Member
K ty for that info also i had a typo up top i ment 3 26w 1600 lums each.
LadyZandra
Active Member
Here hun--- this may help you:
CFL growing
http://www.marijuanagrowing.eu/how-to-use-cfl-s-to-grow-mj-t23291.html
And many people grow with CFL's... not only because they are cheaper to set-up, but they use less electricity and run cooler so fewer/smaller fans are used- again, less $$ and electricity...
You use what you have available until you can afford or have access to bigger/better things... IMO- your next step should be T5 lights-- cover more space, better lumens & candles and can switch-out some of the tubes in transition/flower for a better spectrum as well!
Good Luck!
CFL growing
http://www.marijuanagrowing.eu/how-to-use-cfl-s-to-grow-mj-t23291.html
And many people grow with CFL's... not only because they are cheaper to set-up, but they use less electricity and run cooler so fewer/smaller fans are used- again, less $$ and electricity...
You use what you have available until you can afford or have access to bigger/better things... IMO- your next step should be T5 lights-- cover more space, better lumens & candles and can switch-out some of the tubes in transition/flower for a better spectrum as well!
Good Luck!
BluntM8
Active Member
you cant honestly be trying to tell me that CFL is more efficient watt/watt than LED.
better penetration, better spectrum, better distribution(cover more space), longer lifespan.
Light is emitted downward directionally eliminating need for a reflector, further increasing its efficiency.
Meaning less $$ and electricity than CFL.
No disrespect inteneded. If you already have your CFLs on hand this is a no brainer.
What I meant is that if you are going to buy new gear, don't buy old tech.
name brand 320watt dimmable constant current driver http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/hlg-320h-30b.shtml for $122,
running 21 CREE XML http://intl-outdoor.com/cree-xml2-t6-3c-led-20mm-mcpcb-p-707.html for $136.
That's just over 14watts/led putting off WAY more usable lumens than CFL.
So for ~$260 you get a far superior grow light that's bulbs/emitters will not need to be replaced, thus the additional initial $$ spent will pay for itself over time.
BluntM8
Active Member
The added benefits outway the increased initial cost. And high powered LEDs, especially this high powered, take penetrating shits all over CFL and T5 for that matter. Also, the heat comes off the back of the LED into its heatsink, as opposed to downward onto your canopy with CFL.. rendering them cooler temp wise than CFL (lowering cooling cost and electricity). And if adding deep red to the spectrum during flowering, LEDs surpass even HPS.
BluntM8
Active Member
OMG at that link you posted Lady, there are people reefering to a ~400watt 'incandescent' equivalent CFL as an actual 400watt bulb, when it really only a 100watt bulb. I know it wasn't you making this claim, but to point people here is just stupid. 400watts of actual CFL couldn't shine the shoes of 400 watts of HPS, let alone trying to compare 100 CFL watts to 400 HPS watts. This logic is not saving money and electricity with CFLs, it is putting out a fraction of the light/lumens, while using a fraction of electricity. A double negative, based on comparison of efficiency for plant growth. 
lol, I said reefering
lol, I said reefering
Zigzagreef
Active Member
ty for that info i was think of doing a test box with some def not now lol
Sand4x105
Well-Known Member
OK... You can not have too many CFL's, like I've said before, too many CFL's is an "Oxymoron"
I say, four FIM'ed plants, 7" tall pot, 7-8" tall plants, I'd go 4-26 watt per plant, and one of the 26 watter is in the 2700K range, the rest are 6500K...
You'll still have heat, so watch that...
------------------------------------------------------------
Personally, I have in my veg room:
32-26 watt...
5-65 watt...
4-40 watt aqua
2-32 watt
Yes you can keep your lights close, however, you still need a very well ventilated space...
Good Luck...
I say, four FIM'ed plants, 7" tall pot, 7-8" tall plants, I'd go 4-26 watt per plant, and one of the 26 watter is in the 2700K range, the rest are 6500K...
You'll still have heat, so watch that...
------------------------------------------------------------
Personally, I have in my veg room:
32-26 watt...
5-65 watt...
4-40 watt aqua
2-32 watt
Yes you can keep your lights close, however, you still need a very well ventilated space...
Good Luck...
justugh
Well-Known Member
Kermit ..........sorry that is the pic
here ............from personal knowagle the 23 watt 3000k air cleaning bulb does work with 2 of them in a 11''x14''x35''..........the fan had a carbon pad with out them can notice the smell but with them on nothing
u can pick up the 1800 lumens or gte a bigger watt bulb ............e26 socket is the normal one in the house (most of them are this but some are others and u can find adapters to allow u to use the sockets u have now)......also there are y spliters for sockets u screw it in u have 2 sockets for bulbs
here ............from personal knowagle the 23 watt 3000k air cleaning bulb does work with 2 of them in a 11''x14''x35''..........the fan had a carbon pad with out them can notice the smell but with them on nothing
u can pick up the 1800 lumens or gte a bigger watt bulb ............e26 socket is the normal one in the house (most of them are this but some are others and u can find adapters to allow u to use the sockets u have now)......also there are y spliters for sockets u screw it in u have 2 sockets for bulbs
TheSnake
Well-Known Member
why not just go with a 250 hps/mh on the cheap? 100-130 bucks on ebay. with both bulbs, reflector or not. You will have all your bases covered and not have to fuck with wiring, etc.
just a thought, would be enough for your dimensions. hell if your crafty as fuck, you could get a 400 in there.
just a thought, would be enough for your dimensions. hell if your crafty as fuck, you could get a 400 in there.
legallyflying
Well-Known Member
Please don't tell me you have almost 1,000 watts of CFL. That has to be the most ridiculous thing I ever heard