buget cfl light help

growingforfun

Well-Known Member
Does this look about right it is only 450 lumens and don't say anything about kelView attachment 3879611
I got mine at Walmart, the bulbs were 15 watts and 1500 lumens. I think all the ones I tested work well enough, even the duracell. 9 watts, 15 watts, for such a small area it doesn't matter like a 400 hps vs a 1000 hps, just get the most watts you wanna pay for. I've had the bulbs between 6 inches and leaf touching the bulb, no problems, fast healthy green growth, no stretching problems. I have a mix spectrum in there, but I've been known to not care a ton about spectrum... vegged under a hps more than a few times and many agree that mh can grow frosty nugs. Imo just buy a few an get going. Most my bulbs are 3100 I believe but some just aren't listed, and I believe some that are listed may not be accurate.
Maybe buy a few differant brands at differant watts and see what you like best, nothing worse than buying 6 bulbs, getting home, and deciding you don't like that brand. (I did that with the duracell, only bought 2 bulbs per brand after that except a 4 pack of 9 watt bulbs to replace house lights with the extras)

Honestly they are so cheap and easy to get, no questions asked, and work well, that I expect them to really take off and kick the door open to high power led grow lights taking mainstream.
 

jtp92

Well-Known Member
I think I will try out the 100w equivalent it doesn't have the glass blocking light and I won't need as many and it might give me a bit more space
 

jtp92

Well-Known Member
C__Data_Users_DefApps_AppData_INTERNETEXPLORER_Temp_Saved Images_$_2.jpg this is the 100w equivalent and its a17w with 6000k doesn't say about the lumens does that really matter
 

growingforfun

Well-Known Member
I think I will try out the 100w equivalent it doesn't have the glass blocking light and I won't need as many and it might give me a bit more space
I'd side by side with and without protective covers before you remove them all. I started by just removing all of them, and that's the story of how I threw away about 6 bulbs and 30-40 bucks. Better light spread, no noticeable reduction.

The logic clearly comes from the glass in reflectors blocking 10%, not sure what % these block, but with them on the area is 100% lit up, with them off there were shady spots.
 

jtp92

Well-Known Member
I'd side by side with and without protective covers before you remove them all. I started by just removing all of them, and that's the story of how I threw away about 6 bulbs and 30-40 bucks. Better light spread, no noticeable reduction.

The logic clearly comes from the glass in reflectors blocking 10%, not sure what % these block, but with them on the area is 100% lit up, with them off there were shady spots.
I might find 2 or 3 kinds to test with and without se what does best u think it would hurt to switch them to flower when they are about 5in tall so I can weed out males and look for phenos then put them back to veg
 

growingforfun

Well-Known Member
Naw it won't hurt them any, so long as they sit in veg for a few weeks after the light changes. Any stress like that you wanna let them sit in veg, after any stress before going into flower, imo.

They generally won't show sex till a month in no matter what, sativas could take longer. I've had sativas on 12/12 for 3 weeks and not show any signs.
 

jtp92

Well-Known Member
Cfls really have been replaced by the led bulbs. Most here say to cut off the covers, but I disagree. I'd say buy a few of the 9-15 watt leds and give them a shot. They are easily 30% better than cfls watt for watt. If it's a 1x1 space 30 watts could do it, 60 watts tops. Any brand should do the trick, but don't buy duracell brand in my opinion. Of the 6 brands I tested duracell ran the hottest and can actually burn NY finger at the base. The sylvania was the best.
The only Sylvania I found at my WalMart was 12w 75 equivalent but its only 800 lumans and 2700k is this good enough
 

growingforfun

Well-Known Member
The only Sylvania I found at my WalMart was 12w 75 equivalent but its only 800 lumans and 2700k is this good enough
Im sure it is good enough, but it is a differant efficiency than the one i found and liked best. Id get a few differant brands, only 1 or 2 bulbs of each and find what ones you like best.

The will all work. Its not like one brand will make light the plant cant use and another brand will grow pounds. They will all generally work about the same but some may make more heat than others or some small differance.
 

jtp92

Well-Known Member
Im sure it is good enough, but it is a differant efficiency than the one i found and liked best. Id get a few differant brands, only 1 or 2 bulbs of each and find what ones you like best.

The will all work. Its not like one brand will make light the plant cant use and another brand will grow pounds. They will all generally work about the same but some may make more heat than others or some small differance.
How far can a seedling be away from the lights from the lights to the bottom is about a foot and a half will I need something to set the plant on till it gets bigger
 

Downhomedude

Well-Known Member
I have 20 9w LEDs across 4 fixtures in a 2*4 tent - that's 180 actual watts for 22.5w per sq ft. My buds are coming in nicely for a minimal cost. I found 24 packs of ecosmart 2700k bulbs at home depot for under twenty bucks so I switched out my CFLs I'd purchased for flower. Don't let people talk you out of 9w bulbs they put out way way more lux than equally rated CFLs. Here is the thread that convinced me. Special thanks to @blynx and @terpene for their contributions

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=314806
 

jtp92

Well-Known Member
I have 20 9w LEDs across 4 fixtures in a 2*4 tent - that's 180 actual watts for 22.5w per sq ft. My buds are coming in nicely for a minimal cost. I found 24 packs of ecosmart 2700k bulbs at home depot for under twenty bucks so I switched out my CFLs I'd purchased for flower. Don't let people talk you out of 9w bulbs they put out way way more lux than equally rated CFLs. Here is the thread that convinced me. Special thanks to @blynx and @terpene for their contributions

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=314806
How far can the plants be away from the lights im using the 12w
 

Downhomedude

Well-Known Member
I have mine at eight inches or so away from my flowering tops. For seedlings I'd back them off a bit. Maybe start at around 2-2.5ft and inch them down daily. I haven't run seeds yet just clones so I'm no expert.
 
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