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Which light to begin with

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det0xed

Active Member
According to the "How to grow marijuana" thread it says to start off with a combo of cool/warm florescent lights then switch to a mh/hps later on.

I was wondering if there is one type of light I can use for the whole process(seed to bud) mainly because of a budget.

I was at Home Depot and they had mh/hps bulbs with fairly low wattage(~100), but also had a 400W mh(their biggest) and some bigger hps wattage as well. They also had a box of 6 CFL lights I think they were 26W? that had a 4-pin connecter.

Well anyway I flagged down two different sales associates and neither of them knew if they carried a fixture to put the CFL bulbs in, and I couldn't find anything that looked compatible with the mh/hps fixtures either outside of 100W outdoor dome lights(lack of knowledge? no idea what I'm really looking for).

I'm going to be working rather small scale(MAX 5 plants, more like 2-3) and I have a spare bedroom, but I'm thinking it would probably be better to only use the closet(2.5x4ft.). Is this correct and is there one type of light to use throughout?
 
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Sure Shot

Sure Shot

Well-Known Member
I would recommend HPS if you want 1 to go the whole way.
You will need a ballast to go with the bulb.
For your closet a 400w HPS should do you good.
Although I would use the spare room with as many 600 I could do.
In that case, you can buy a dual 600w. Lumatek has a good model for a good price.
Your best place to shop is a hydro store when it comes to grow lights.
Those guys know what your trying to do.(who grows tomatoes indoors?)
Just, don't let them sell you on anything.(they are salesmen!!)

What is your budget??
Maybe a couple of us can give you a ballpark figure of what you can expect for xx amount.
 
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frmrboi

Well-Known Member
a pack of 6500 K cfls to start your seeds or clones and a HPS light for big seedlings or rooted clones, you can use this for the entire grow. MH is no good unless you buy a replacement bulb designed for growing then it's VERY good.
 
S

SativaGreenThumb

Active Member
You can get a 400 watt HPS which will work fine for the whole process on Ebay for 120 dollars. I would use the closet but thats really up to you.
 
heathaa

heathaa

Well-Known Member
just go to walmart and buy the cfls you can go from start to finish with these and energy costs are low. you get 4 lights for lik12 bucks plenty for one or two plants walmart also has a 2.5 ft long flourocarbon grow light for 8 bucks
 
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det0xed

Active Member
Well I'll spend what I have to for results but I'd preferably like to keep it ~$100

I checked my Walmart, and they had a very limited supply. I've had to hit up the hardware stores for most my supplies.

I looked up the closest hydroponics store it's about 50 miles from me so I was hoping to get what I need down the road but I'll probably end up there later today.

I want to have some success before I invest too much into the project.

What kind of heat problems(or any problems) would I need to worry about with a 400W HPS?
 
Sure Shot

Sure Shot

Well-Known Member
det0xed said:
Well I'll spend what I have to for results but I'd preferably like to keep it ~$100

I checked my Walmart, and they had a very limited supply. I've had to hit up the hardware stores for most my supplies.

I looked up the closest hydroponics store it's about 50 miles from me so I was hoping to get what I need down the road but I'll probably end up there later today.

I want to have some success before I invest too much into the project.

What kind of heat problems(or any problems) would I need to worry about with a 400W HPS?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately $100 is not realistic for an HID grow.
So either do a CFL grow to pay for your HID grow.
Or, you are going to half to put up a bigger investment in the beginning.

It will take you about 12 weeks to reap any profits from the CFL grow to pay for an HPS. Do you have patience for that?

Along with lighting you are going to need ventilation, circulation and nutrition.
Not to mention, growing medium and pots.

They have very cheap grow bags that are basically thick small garbage bags.


As far as the heat issue goes.(HPS)
The closer you can get the light the better.
So, cooling the light is necessary IMO.
I choose to use an air-cooled hood.
With one of these you can have a fan push(not pull) hot air away from your light.

It is absolutely necessary to exhaust old air out of your grow as well.
This requires another separate fan blowing air OUT of your grow.

I think you can do a decent CFl grow with the 100$.
But, you could possibly do a decent HID grow for $300-$400.

The difference between a decent CFL grow and a decent HID grow
is night and day!!(unless your a CFL master, LOL)
 
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det0xed

Active Member
If I can do a decent cfl grow for $100 that is the option I would prefer to take, but if it's closer to $200+, I'll just wait a week or so until I have the money and get the hid lighting I need. I only wish to go cheaper because I have seeds(ones I got outta a midgrade bag) I put in paper towel Friday morning so I was hoping to have a setup for them done this weekend, and also because the more I spend, the more I have to cut back on my personal supply. Yikes, I know.
 
Sure Shot

Sure Shot

Well-Known Member
Tutorial to Growing with Cfl's

If you'll have more $ in a week then wait.
Just do all the prep work in your grow room for now.
Hell, you can still start the seeds right now.
It will take a couple days to germinate.
Then you could get away with a couple days in the windowsill or under 1-2 CFL's.
 
M

mizke

Member
det0xed said:
Well I'm on layoff right now so time/patience isn't really a problem but money is. I see a pack of 6500K cfl mentioned, will this be sufficient for the entire grow? If not what all will I need besides/instead of that?

If I can do a decent cfl grow for $100 that is the option I would prefer to take, but if it's closer to $200+, I'll just wait a week or so until I have the money and get the hid lighting I need. I only wish to go cheaper because I have seeds(ones I got outta a midgrade bag) I put in paper towel Friday morning so I was hoping to have a setup for them done this weekend, and also because the more I spend, the more I have to cut back on my personal supply. Yikes, I know.
Click to expand...

i am new here and this is my first post. just to add my 2 cents, if this is you're first grow as it is mine. a cheap walmart setup seems to be doing fine for me. i spent 20 bucks on 2 lamps, 10 bucks for a 2 pack of 35w cfl bulbs, and 10 bucks for 2 timers. seems to be doing fine, the seed is from some very good mid grade stuff. its about a week maybe more into flowering. i would go cheap then if you get some good seeds and really want to go all out then buy the best lights and all of that. thats what i am planning to, as soon as i get a few more seeds ( found 2 in a bag of blueberry) then i will make the investment into the lights.

again this is what is working for me for right now, i am dealing with problems as they come up and trying to learn all that i can. i know its prolly the worset setup ever but this is my first grow from seed to bud and its working fine for me.
 
la9

la9

Well-Known Member
I see you are tempted to go with CFL but I'd recommend against it. You'll get better results with 4 foot flourescent lighting. I'd suggest getting a shop light and cool white bulbs, probably less than $20. Then I'd veg with that and save for an HPS light. You'll have 4 - 6 weeks to save. If you are dead set on one light only then get an HPS. The HPS will grow with you. The CFL's will end up sitting in the closet collecting dust. It is always cheaper in the long run to buy the right stuff than going cheap and upgrading several times. Trust me I have about every light setup you see recommended. The final verdict is shop lights with cool white or gro lux bulbs and hps 400 watt or larger to veg with. That is what works the best. Also the shop light setup is cheaper than CFL by the time you figure the cost of the bulbs, sockets, wiring it all adds up quick and you could have just bought an HPS to begin with. Do what you want but if you go CFL get back with me in a couple months and see if I'm not right.
 
D

det0xed

Active Member
Thanks to all who've helped so far, I'm really hoping for a successful grow my first try, so I took everybody's advice and got an HID light.

I ended up getting an econowing reflector with a 400W HPS bulb. I got it set up in my closet and the light is 15inches from where the seeds will be.

Tonight will be 2 1/2 days the seeds have been soaking in the paper towel so assuming they've cracked I'll be putting them under the light tonight. I'll have (hopefully) 5 seeds in 16oz cups with Scott's potting soil that I plan to hit with 18/6 light.

A couple questions I have...

1. How much do I water them and how often?(bottled water? water them as soon as I put them in soil?)

2. On the ballast it has a 120V and a 240V plugin, which one should I use?

3. Right now I have no fans. I've had the light on a few hours and it's warm, but not that warm in there. I'll be getting a thermometer soon, but is heat going to be a problem with my setup? I plan on leaving the closet doors open to help but it's a 2.5x6.5ft. closet.

4. My ballast has a switch between 400W mh and 400W hps. Do I need to get a mh for the veg or will my hps work?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
 
THCcraving

THCcraving

Member
det0xed said:
A couple questions I have...

1. How much do I water them and how often?(bottled water? water them as soon as I put them in soil?)

2. On the ballast it has a 120V and a 240V plugin, which one should I use?

3. Right now I have no fans. I've had the light on a few hours and it's warm, but not that warm in there. I'll be getting a thermometer soon, but is heat going to be a problem with my setup? I plan on leaving the closet doors open to help but it's a 2.5x6.5ft. closet.

4. My ballast has a switch between 400W mh and 400W hps. Do I need to get a mh for the veg or will my hps work?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
1) Weigh your entire plant with pot and everything when the soil is dry, and whenever its around that weight water it.

2)I'm not 100% sure, and I don't want to be wrong.

3)The best fan you can have for a young plant would be a PC case fan, and I would not recommend allowing the temperature reaching above 80 degrees F. or lower then 65 degrees F.

4)I don't think it matters, but wait for someone with more experience for a better answer.

:peace::joint::hump:
 
Sure Shot

Sure Shot

Well-Known Member
det0xed said:
Thanks to all who've helped so far, I'm really hoping for a successful grow my first try, so I took everybody's advice and got an HID light.

I ended up getting an econowing reflector with a 400W HPS bulb. I got it set up in my closet and the light is 15inches from where the seeds will be.

Tonight will be 2 1/2 days the seeds have been soaking in the paper towel so assuming they've cracked I'll be putting them under the light tonight. I'll have (hopefully) 5 seeds in 16oz cups with Scott's potting soil that I plan to hit with 18/6 light.

A couple questions I have...

1. How much do I water them and how often?(bottled water? water them as soon as I put them in soil?)

2. On the ballast it has a 120V and a 240V plugin, which one should I use?

3. Right now I have no fans. I've had the light on a few hours and it's warm, but not that warm in there. I'll be getting a thermometer soon, but is heat going to be a problem with my setup? I plan on leaving the closet doors open to help but it's a 2.5x6.5ft. closet.

4. My ballast has a switch between 400W mh and 400W hps. Do I need to get a mh for the veg or will my hps work?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
1.Make sure those cups have good drain holes. Your average watering schedule will be every other day. But, let the soil tell you it needs water(wait for it to get light).
Bottled water becomes an unnecessary expense, tap water left out over night is better.
Better because it contains trace minerals already.

2.I would recommend 240v if you have a 240v plug anywhere close.
240v will run at less amps and cooler. But its only 1 400w, so not so important 120 will be fine.

3.You absolutely need an exhaust system.
The stale warm air needs to be removed or your girls will suffocate.
This is best done by taking a sheet rock knife to your cieling.
$20 should get you a "fart fan" from the hardware store.

4.MH are better for veg but I only use Super HPS the whole way.
 
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det0xed

Active Member
Cutting into my ceiling isn't really an option, but I could probably cut into the return vent for the ac. This is my only option as far as cutting goes.

I actually had 6 seeds wrapped up, and they all cracked so I cut 2 decent sizes drain holes in 6 18oz. cups, loosely filled them up 1/2in from the top with potting soil, poked about a 1in hole in the middle and dropped them in. Covered them up with soil and poured about 18oz. of water split between all 6 of them and put them under the light(about 13in away) for their 18/6 schedule.

Right now I have a 20" oscillating fan on low a few feet away with the closet doors wide open to help air circulation. What should my temperature be with the lights on/off? 85/75? How far from the light should I put my thermometer to measure?

The light is about 13inches from the top of the soil, but it doesn't really burn my hand until a lot closer. Should I get my seedlings closer or are they good?
 
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