Lighting....

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Four Two Oh

Member
Hey all, 1st timer here. I am just trying with 1 plant for right now, got some seeds from across the lake. I am trying to do this on a relatively short budget, just to get my feet wet.. not looking for a major harvest.

I got my hands on some (12) brand new Phillips PAR38 LED spot lamps but they say they're Cool White / 4700K. Everything I read about the 4700k LED is negative, so should I go for option B? Option B is a 3-lamp T5 HO fixture. Of course Option C would be something else you guys recommend.

I have a 2" sprout with 4 green leaves starting to form so I know it's time to get everything ready to go. I thought I would have more time this past weekend but I got some last minute Farm Aid tickets.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Trynax

Trynax

Member
Four Two Oh said:
Hey all, 1st timer here. I am just trying with 1 plant for right now, got some seeds from across the lake. I am trying to do this on a relatively short budget, just to get my feet wet.. not looking for a major harvest.

I got my hands on some (12) brand new Phillips PAR38 LED spot lamps but they say they're Cool White / 4700K. Everything I read about the 4700k LED is negative, so should I go for option B? Option B is a 3-lamp T5 HO fixture. Of course Option C would be something else you guys recommend.

I have a 2" sprout with 4 green leaves starting to form so I know it's time to get everything ready to go. I thought I would have more time this past weekend but I got some last minute Farm Aid tickets.

Thanks in advance for your help.
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Yea the 4700k isn't going to do very well you want 6500k for veg and 2700k for flowering, the t5 would work if you got the right spectrum, t5's are usually pretty much wherever you put it that's where its staying kinda lights, if you want more moveablity and be able to target certain buds and help prevent shade spots Id go with regular screw in CFLs, they're low cost and effective at close range, low heat, I think theyd be best for you
 
undercovergrow

undercovergrow

Well-Known Member
welcome to RIU and Option B is your best choice. i only use a T5 HO for veg but it can do a successful flower as well if you change your bulbs to the lower spectrum (or a mix). good luck on your grow.
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
40-watt CFL in 5000K to 6500K will do to start. Add more bulbs as more light is needed. KISS. He has ONE plant. I have bought these from Lowes, Home Depot, Wally World . . . .. Simple clip on reflector from the same store will do fine for a while.Then read and add.
 
undercovergrow

undercovergrow

Well-Known Member
hotrodharley said:
40-watt CFL in 5000K to 6500K will do to start. Add more bulbs as more light is needed. KISS. He has ONE plant. I have bought these from Lowes, Home Depot, Wally World . . . .. Simple clip on reflector from the same store will do fine for a while.Then read and add.
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it sounds like he already has Option A and Option B so between those two choices - if he's trying not to spend a lot of money and work with what he has - then the T5 is what he should start with since the plant is at 2" already. as it grows, depending on the amount of veg time he allows, he can always add.
 
F

Four Two Oh

Member
Thanks for the quick responses

I'm an electrician so I was going rig up the t5 fixture with some eye bolts and para cord and hang it from the ceiling so I can make sure it's nice and close.

If I go the CFL route I was going to make a 24"x24" platform and mount 6 lamps and do the eye bolt and para cord so I can move it up and down. I was going to put 3 more around the bottom so the full plant is lit up.
 
F

Four Two Oh

Member
Minor update

I grabbed both 2700k and 6500k CFL 23w from work.

Maybe I'm in over my head lol. Seems like there's so much info and it seems logical until I have to put the plan into place.

I have (4) 6500k 23w @ 1600 lumen each
And (4) 2700k 23w @ 1600 lumen each

I can get more if needed but I figured for 1 plant 8 lamps is enough.

Should I go with 6500k only, or add the 2700k for good measure? How many / what mix would you suggest ?

Seedling dropped over and looks like it broke but I propped her up with a piece of a drinking straw I split to get around it.
 
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