Making the jump...

WhammyBoy

First off...I am a new grower and just got an old hydro system from a friends dad. We fixed it up with new parts and such...I will be growing in a closet...and my buddy and I are going to build an installation in the closet for growing surface..lighting structure...fans..etc...

Along with the rest of the system I got an hps light...its an older type but still putts out a great amount of light...and heat. And I am sure it costs alot to run too. So I was thinking about using a CFL system...I have a design in my head about how to make it work...I just have a few questions...I have been trying to figure out the conversion from hps to cfl to figure how many lights I would need to get...this has been confusing the shit out of me...i hate math. How many lights does each plant need? and does CFL work well with hydro?

Thanks for any help or advice...I will continue reading through the forum to see if I can answer any of my questions...however Im sure that with just breed more questions for me to come ask you guys...

__________________
WhammyBoy
"...if you knew what life is worth, you would look for yours on Earth..."


http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/my-first-grows-7334/

sentravapor

whats goin on whammyboy, personally i had 3 plants with 4 cfl's (6500k) basically all throughout veg. then added 2 more bulbs (and swapped to 2700k- 3000k) for flower. i only have one left now since of the other two, one was eaten alive outdoors and one was male. everyone will most likely tell you something different so i would say read up as much as you can on top of peoples opinions and then make your own judgement.

__________________
although it may appear that I take part in illegal activities during my membership of this site, it is all a farce and is purely for entertainment purposes. That being said pass the bong!

My first grow journal -
http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/my-f...w-awww-p-6142/

whitetrash6

reasearch reasearch....... ull find many methods that u can use to cut costs. like a scrogg setup. ull typicaly use less light bulbs with a scrogg bc u wont need asmuch side lighting witch gives u a nice flat surface of plant life unlike two big tall bushy plants... just my opinon

4kaan4

Hey Whammy,

I use primarily t-5 fixtures myself. If you wanted to use cfl's, you could get three or four of the four bulb strips and run one up each corner of the closet. Would give max light coverage without generating too terribly much heat. Of course, for the same money you could get a 250w HID that would cover about 4 sq.ft. (2ft. by 2ft.).

As far as the plant is concerned, light is light. No matter what type of light you use (so long as you have the right spectrum) the plant sees and utilizes it all pretty much the same.

You also need to consider ventilatation. This is just as important as light. Plants need fresh air or they will suffocate. Try to aim at replacing the air in the grow area AT LEAST three times per hour. More often would be better.

Most folks here would say start with soil. It is easier to keep a handle on, more forgiving of errors, and less reactive to variations in nutes and pH. However, since the hydro rig was gifted to you, it's not like you laid out a glob of cash to get started. Since I play in the dirt, I couldn't help you with tools and supplies that you would need to make a go of your good luck.

Later,
4kaan4

__________________
I am an incorrigible, pathological fantasizer fabricating illusionary amusements for various individuals. In other words I lie like a politician. I refuse to break the law because I intend to live my life till the day I die!

WhammyBoy

I plan on doing a soil grow first...ISO2BEWELL has been helping guide me along on the canncare forums..

My big reason for wanting to switch is the ventelation issue. I can put a fan into the closet or just simply open the closet doors but i dont think i can afford to buy a ventelation system... From everything I have read HPS put off the most amount of heat...and this is a much older system (light included) I just feel like its gonna put off a ton...So CFL to me seem like a good answer.

Thanks much for all the help and advice!

__________________
WhammyBoy
"...if you knew what life is worth, you would look for yours on Earth..."


http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/my-first-grows-7334/

4kaan4

I gotta agree with you, Whammy.

If heat is a real issue, then cfl's would give the best coverage for heat generated. A fan and an open door would make a great ventilation system as the main purpose of venting is to get rid of heat and bring in fresh air. You could do a dry run for two or three days to test the light you have. You might get lucky and be able to use what you have with no further expense at all. Of course, newer cfl's would probably be cheaper to run due to higher efficiency over an older HID. As far as I can see ISO has got you pretty well covered for now.

Later,
4kaan4

__________________
I am an incorrigible, pathological fantasizer fabricating illusionary amusements for various individuals. In other words I lie like a politician. I refuse to break the law because I intend to live my life till the day I die!

ISO2BWELL

Hi Whammy,

If that HPS is a 1000W, NO, don't install it in that closet!

A 1000W HPS puts out some serious heat, and you are not in a situation to air-cool that hood.

Suggestion: Get yourself a 400W HPS like this one:
High Tech Garden Supply

That one you can keep cool in there using good fans and ventilation. Air cooled is better if you can set up the exhaust.

The T-5 flouro's are great for vegging (what I use) and you will be very pleased with results on plants up to about 15".

ISO

__________________



.

WhammyBoy

After reading about prices and such online I think that it would be best to go with a CFL set up. I do no think I can afford to buy new MH or HPS lights buts CFL's are cheap. I have a set up in my head to use 6-8 6500k bulbs for veg and the same set up for flower with 2700k - 3000k bulbs instead. Does that sound like a pretty reasonable amout?

I think that I can assemble something with CFL's for a fairly low cost...Hopefully, I can have it all ready to go by this weekend so I can get it all up and running!

ISO i know i m not taking your lighting advice...but atleast I am taking your advice to grow in soil! And thank you and eveyone else so much for all your help with this process.

__________________
WhammyBoy
"...if you knew what life is worth, you would look for yours on Earth..."


http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/my-first-grows-7334/

scott06

http://www.greenpassion.org/f22/cfl-tutorial-2592/


I think the questions you are asking will change once you give this sticky some study

It really is a great foundation for anyone thinking about cfl's and I cant' recommend it enough

check back if you still decide to go with CFL's and I will be happy to help anyway I can

here is one grow that used cfl to good effect

http://www.greenpassion.org/f22/my-m...-soiless-5408/

WhammyBoy

So I got my first grow up and running...using CFL's! They work great in the space im using, growing in a closet, and the heat output is easily controlled. I just had a couple of questions...

I know CFL's need to be very close to the plants, but how close should they be when I am still waiting for the seeds to sprout? and how many lumens are necessary for sprouting? The seeds have been in the soil since mid last week...but still nothing coming out of the soil yet.

The seeds I am using are just random seeds that I have had around....from so damn good herbs though...but since I dont know anything about the seeds this is still gonna be a trial run. I am going to order seeds sometime this week...when I make the decision about were to get them from and what to get, too many choices!

__________________
WhammyBoy
"...if you knew what life is worth, you would look for yours on Earth..."


http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/my-first-grows-7334/