Adding CFL's or other supplementary lighting to my grow. What should I look into?

BurlingtonBam

Active Member
Ok, so I just started growing a few plants. I had car troubles which had zapped all out money at the time, so I couldn't get anything for awhile. I had a few small pots and planted a bunch of bag seed I've had for years. I ended up with 8 plants that went. I started them more as a novelty at the time to see if you could just throw them in some soil and they grow. I of course got terrible rates, but still 7 are good, and one is a very small mutant plant. Has been its whole life and is just starting to show signs it may start growing. I started them about 5 weeks ago outside. I soaked in purified water for a day until they dropped and started to show life and then I planted in soil. Initially most of them were planted too low and looked like they never started. I think I only had 2 at that time. Then I went to throw the dirt away and when the dirt broke open I saw there were seedlings down there, they were just trapped under the soil. I transplanted them and ended up with 8. Terrible method obviously, but I digress. A week ago I got my 1000W MH/HPS light in the mail and the plants went under it immediately. I had been taking them outside every morning on my deck, and then inside at night because it was getting cold, but they didn't get that great of light initially because they were started so late in the season. Now they seem to be enjoying their time under the 1000W. I have 8 plants all in 5 gallon pales. Just transplanted into those from 1 gallon so I'll be interested to see how they take off at this point. They've already been loving the light and are doing well. They're 5 weeks from seed, but they were slow growing so I will probably veg them a little longer to let them get some good size. I will post pictures in a little while to let everyone see where they're at.

I just placed an order for a 530 CFM 6" Inline fan to connect to my hood, ducting to vent it outside, a good timer because the one that came with my setup is shit, and a 30X magnifier for inspiration of big buds. lol. I'm interested in getting some supplemental lighting for the time being. My grow close they are in is relatively small about 3x3 and 5ft tall, however I am going to take out the shelf soon and that will give me an extra 2 feet for 7 total as the height. Heat hasn't been much of an issue at this point as I live in the north and its already nice and cool so I've had a window fan in the window until i get my fan. Yesterday it got up to a muggy 75 degrees here so it started to get a little warm so I put a fan on them. They seem to like the fan anyways so I've left it. Temps been around 75-81 is my highest I think. Humidity went up a little earlier because it's raining and muggy here but hopefully that breaks soon. With fall coming quickly though I won't have to worry much about that this go around though and I have an AC I can use for it if I need to in the summer. Humidity has been hovering around 55% but went up last night while the lights were out because it was muggy outside. I'm looking forward to seeing how they're going to take off now they're in good buckets and have light. They've grown a lot in the last week alone since the light. The area's a little too small for 8 plants, but I'm figuring on at least half being male so then they will have decent room. Looking for opinions on whether I should crop, or any other ideas to create maximum yield. I like the idea of trying to keep it fairly organic for now though. I also plan on getting some good seeds ordered in the near future. I'll take pictures in a minute and get some uploaded. Any suggestions, and everything is extremely appreciated.
 

Brokeoldbloke

Active Member
You don't need supplemental lighting. 1000 watts is more than enough of light in a 3x3 space IMO. If its a dimmable ballast maybe run it on the lowest setting while the plants are small. I wouldn't worry about yield for this grow (your 1st?), just try and keep them healthy and you'll get a decent yield. Keep it as simple as you can for now.
Good Luck with your grow!
 

BurlingtonBam

Active Member
No, for this grow obviously I'm not it as much for this grow, but that was the main reason I wanted to try with seeds that I wouldn't care if they didn't grow to get the hang of it. Next time will be with good plants for sure. Yes it's dimmable I usually keep it all the way up. The equipment is decent but I think the bulbs aren't the greatest, so I have a feeling it needs to be all the way up until I replace the bulbs with a good brand. I'm uploading some pictures if I can figure out how to. What are your favorite strains? Looking to get some soon. Looking for a good potent, taste bud that should yield a lot with my 1000W. Let me know what you think of (hopefully) the girls. How tall should I let them get until I flower? Again, these are unknown strain and I know nothing more than they were what I saved over the years. Some was regular stuff, some was mid, so I'm not sure what these will turn out as. I'm basically looking to use this grow as a basis for going forward. I've already learned a lot, but hopefully I will know a lot more after this 1st. Let me know your thoughts on them.

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jojodancer10

Well-Known Member
What food are u giviNY them?u might want to look into h/g.as for the 100Watt light,u can get away with one 6inch fan and filther.put them in 5gal buckets and let that 1000Watt light work for u. Enjoy the show
 
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