1st time starting a closet grow room, ? about lights

mud1dnot2

Well-Known Member
I've decided to attempt the grow for the first time. I don't want to produce huge crops, maybe 1-3 plants and the catch is I want to set up a space in my spare closet. It's roughly 3' x 4' x 8'. Everything I've read suggests ventilation and using the correct soil and all that. The question I have is this.

I'm on a pretty tight budget since I got cut down to part time (Thanks economy) I have 2 ballasts that hold 2 12" F8t5/CW (hg) Coolwhite fluoro bulbs each. So I have a total of 4 bulbs.

I know fluoro isn't the ideal way to go. Everything I've read suggests MH or HPS bulbs. However the ballasts + bulb costs for those are pretty expensive. So with what I have now, do you think it will get the job done? Or should I go out and spend the money on the HPS + Ballasts? Any advice from experience would be really appreciated.
 

demonofthefall0116

Active Member
for the begining stages of growth i usually never use anything but fluorescent lighting for fear that the MH will dry the lil guys up... another plus with the Fluorescent lights is u can have them closer to the plant or just a bit further to control temp. MH creates so much heat u NEED ventilation.. all u need for the first like month and a half is 2 or 3 full light spectrum spiral fluorescent bulbs. u should be fine with that. but to promote full vegitative growth ur gonna need a MH and fan vetilation, especially for a room that size. and starting hint No. 1, dont bother fertilizing ur plants for the first 2 weeks. u wouldnt believe how many people try to boost plant growth from the get go and kill their plant. oh yeah and make sure u cover ur plants in some green house planting box when u start them.at least 80% humidity is needed for those guys to grow good.. they only cost 3 bucks for a ten plant kit
 

SlowToker

Well-Known Member
That will work with the right bulbs but I have been convinced to go CFL.
A 27watt CFL is equal to a regular 100 watt, and Walmart has a box of 6 x 27 watt for $13. So you get 600 watts and pull 162 watts for $13 plus 2 power strips and adapters. $25 for the complete 600watt CFL setup.
 

desertrat

Well-Known Member
you didn;t tell us the wattage of the lights. you want to shoot for 75 watts per square ft of growing space and you;ll be fine.
 

meGUSTAmota

Active Member
i'm using only floro tubes and mine are about 2-3 weeks old. check out my journal or just ask me questions. im a complete noob at this, its my first time, but at least i can give you a heads up if we experience any of the same things.
 

Lyrical420

Active Member
well everyone on here says flouro's won't work but check out my grow i grew all the way thru to my 30 day of flowering mark and my lants are doing just fine and actually producing nice looking buds so it's a matter of persoanl preferance if u can't affod the hps or mh then go with the flouro's till u can thats what i plan on doing
 
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