Is Fluorescent the option for me

iShatterBladderz · Dec 3, 2019

So I would consider myself intermediate in terms of knowledge pertaining to the cultivation of cannabis, maybe a little bit more advanced when it comes to LED technology. However, the only time I have ever used fluorescent lighting for anything other than light, is when I used to breed bearded dragons, I used fluorescent UVB bulbs so my dragons could synthesize Vitamin D3 naturally.

I currently have two 2x4 tents and a 4x4 tent in my house, all powered by white phosphor LED lights (Quantum boards in two and Mars Hydro SP250 in the third). I am about to build a 4x4 grow room in my garage to house some mother plants. I wont be taking many cuts from them, only for my personal grow and to help out a friend here and there, so my main priority in finding the best lighting solution, is to find something that provides enough energy to keep them alive, but keep growth minimal. I could always run a dimmed qb setup in a bluer spectrum, but that seems like an expensive route to go when I don’t need much juice.

so here I am considering fluorescent lighting. Is fluorescent a feasible option for what I am doing? If so, which fixtures & bulbs would you recommend for what I am trying to accomplish? Thanks in advance for your help!

Jypsy Dog · Dec 4, 2019

So the question is ............"Can I use fluorescents for my Mother Plant?" :dunce:

Yes.

chronicvanisland · Dec 4, 2019

Yes fluorescents are fine as vegging and keeping a plant alive doesn't take much light!

Jypsy Dog · Dec 4, 2019

Cuz your fingers may be injured.....

Bobby Long Buds · Dec 4, 2019

I had cfl lights over my mother plants but once I switched to hlg65’s I never looked back. No more changing light height every few days. Both worked great though. Over 20 mother plants can be kept with 2 of those lights.

iShatterBladderz · Dec 4, 2019

Jypsy Dog said:
So the question is ............"Can I use fluorescents for my Mother Plant?"
Yes.

No..

the question is will fluorescent be a feasible option for keeping my plant alive with the minimal amount of growth, compared to using LEDs to do the same thing.

and if so, which fixture and/or bulbs would you recommend?

I know that fluorescent can be used, I’ve seen people grow seed-to-harvest with fluorescents. What I don’t know is if it’s going to be a better option than LED for my needs and which fixtures/bulbs people with similar goals are. I have no idea what kind of fixture, wattage or bulbs would be appropriate for a 4x4 mother/clone room.

Jypsy Dog said:
Cuz your fingers may be injured.....

the only thing they said about fluorescent lighting in the video is that you can use a shop light, an under the cabinet light, or a clamp light, and to get grow bulbs. Does fixture and bulb not make a difference? Just grab any fixture and as long as it’s a grow bulb I’m good?

iShatterBladderz · Dec 4, 2019

Bobby Long Buds said:
I had cfl lights over my mother plants but once I switched to hlg65’s I never looked back. No more changing light height every few days. Both worked great though. Over 20 mother plants can be kept with 2 of those lights.

So are still using the two hlg 65? How big of an area are you covering with the two boards? How close are you able to let your plants get to the lights?

Jypsy Dog · Dec 5, 2019

iShatterBladderz said:
No..

the question is will fluorescent be a feasible option for keeping my plant alive with the minimal amount of growth, compared to using LEDs to do the same thing.

and if so, which fixture and/or bulbs would you recommend?

I know that fluorescent can be used, I’ve seen people grow seed-to-harvest with fluorescents. What I don’t know is if it’s going to be a better option than LED for my needs and which fixtures/bulbs people with similar goals are. I have no idea what kind of fixture, wattage or bulbs would be appropriate for a 4x4 mother/clone room.

the only thing they said about fluorescent lighting in the video is that you can use a shop light, an under the cabinet light, or a clamp light, and to get grow bulbs. Does fixture and bulb not make a difference? Just grab any fixture and as long as it’s a grow bulb I’m good?

That's about it.... Make it as hard and expensive as you want. Plant doesn't care, it's just Light.

Bobby Long Buds · Dec 5, 2019

iShatterBladderz said:
So are still using the two hlg 65? How big of an area are you covering with the two boards? How close are you able to let your plants get to the lights?

I use each board for a 2x2 area. They are hung at about 30 high and I never change the height of either light. Plants have grown to within 6” of light without problems. I start my seedlings under these as well. And can root clones on the outskirts of the area.

iShatterBladderz · Dec 5, 2019

Bobby Long Buds said:
I use each board for a 2x2 area. They are hung at about 30 high and I never change the height of either light. Plants have grown to within 6” of light without problems. I start my seedlings under these as well. And can root clones on the outskirts of the area.

This was my original plan, simply because I’ve got QBs in most of my tent space already, but thought I might be able to get away with saving some money by going fluorescent. I do like the thought of not having to screw with the light height tho.

Bobby Long Buds · Dec 5, 2019

iShatterBladderz said:
This was my original plan, simply because I’ve got QBs in most of my tent space already, but thought I might be able to get away with saving some money by going fluorescent. I do like the thought of not having to screw with the light height tho.

I was changing a lot of cfl bulbs it seemed too. Btw that’s about 30” hanging height from the floor with 5” tall pots. I’m sure the alibaba knock offs would do you good too?

OneHitDone · Dec 6, 2019

iShatterBladderz said:
So I would consider myself intermediate in terms of knowledge pertaining to the cultivation of cannabis, maybe a little bit more advanced when it comes to LED technology. However, the only time I have ever used fluorescent lighting for anything other than light, is when I used to breed bearded dragons, I used fluorescent UVB bulbs so my dragons could synthesize Vitamin D3 naturally.

I currently have two 2x4 tents and a 4x4 tent in my house, all powered by white phosphor LED lights (Quantum boards in two and Mars Hydro SP250 in the third). I am about to build a 4x4 grow room in my garage to house some mother plants. I wont be taking many cuts from them, only for my personal grow and to help out a friend here and there, so my main priority in finding the best lighting solution, is to find something that provides enough energy to keep them alive, but keep growth minimal. I could always run a dimmed qb setup in a bluer spectrum, but that seems like an expensive route to go when I don’t need much juice.

so here I am considering fluorescent lighting. Is fluorescent a feasible option for what I am doing? If so, which fixtures & bulbs would you recommend for what I am trying to accomplish? Thanks in advance for your help!

Only real problem is you may get a boner when you see how much healthier the growth is under fluorescent than your led's
I'd grab a 4' 8 bulb t5. Something like the Agrobrite from Hydrofarm cause they have the good Fulham ballasts

Is Fluorescent the option for me

iShatterBladderz

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Jypsy Dog

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chronicvanisland

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Jypsy Dog

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Bobby Long Buds

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iShatterBladderz

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iShatterBladderz

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Jypsy Dog

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iShatterBladderz

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OneHitDone

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