CFL Setup Suggestions? I NEED HELP

Im new to growing and need some advise as to how to setup my grow tent:
-Mylar grow tent ( 63" X 32" X 32")
-Going to use soil (either miracle grow or order fox farms?)
-Dyna gro nutes
-I want to grow 2 plants at a time (first want to try skunk #1 and or Northern Lights)
-I want to use CFL's only
-Also this tent will be in my closet

My biggest questions for the setup are:

Would I benefit from a couple of large CFL's? or would it be better to disperse some small 23/27 watters? Remember im only going to be growing 2 max at a time.. unless someone thinks otherwise?

What would be the best ways to control temp and smell? Im thinking a couple of fans (one pulling in air, and one pulling out) and a carbon filter or use the ona gel, or maybe both?

Im going for the best yield possible without a loss in potency in the buds. (as im sure mostly everyone is trying to achieve lol)

Any help/suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Stay high.

Also forgot to add, im trying to save as much money as possible on set-up as well as the electric bill!

Either type would be good. I am using 8 26watt cfls for 1 plant. A lot of cfl setups i have seen use both larger clfs for the tops and smaller ones for the sides. With cfls u want them really close about 1 - 2" from the plant. Because of the mylar tent u would be better off with 2 100+ watt clfs one for each plant. It all depends on how u want to grow it also. Just remember with cfls the more total lumen the better . Nutes i am using mg bloombooster 15 30 15 its way to strong. if u can go for fox farms i think u might want like 10 15 10.

Ok thanks!

I think thats my best bet then, start off with 2 large ones, about 125w above each plant. then fill in with 26 or 27 watters for when the plants get bigger.

So would fox farms be better than mg?

Thanks for all the help!

FFOF is good soil in fact far better quality just cost more. currently I start my seedlings out in MG cactus, palms and citrus. Doesn't burn em or anything people think or might say. Up to you and your budget here what I have about 10 days old (10 days since sprouted) in the pic and a pic of my soil. once my plants mature they get switched into a 9in diameter x 12in high pot and in that pot I use organic cocoa coir and pear-lite me 3to 1 for good soil aeration and drainage.

View attachment 1632546View attachment 1632547View attachment 1632548View attachment 1632549View attachment 1632550View attachment 1632551View attachment 1632552

SOIL





plants are currently grown under one 26w 6500k bulb in close proximity to foliage.

hope that give you clarity on your decision for soil and what not.

Locdawg,

"Stay Faded"

Thanks for the help locdawg,

So with those, what type of nutrients, if any, do you need to add to it?

I started off with 3 large...and have extra small ones to go around the sides...thing is i don't really need them right now...under these big CFLS. my plants grow bushy, it's like they grow across more than up...I'm on my first grow right now, and i'm a bubble head..so the only info i can share on soil is my friend swears by miracle grow..and the smoke was top notch...now i just recently saw that miracle grow has this indoor potting soil...that protects the plant against over and under watering..as well as a 6 month or 3 month nute supply right in the soil, sounds perfect for beginners...i havn't tried it my self..but i do plan to do some soil experiments in the near future and instead of paying to have fox farm shipped(SOO expensive) i'm going to use the miracle grow..Now for a nice CFL set up wth a hood an all that can run ya around 150-200$ like i spent..but man it's well worth it.. i've enclosed some pics.. so i think i covered everything, i just saw the thread and thought i'd throw my 2 sense in.. good luck man...if you decide to start a grow journal on here i'll sub...

I'm currently using Mirace grow soil and I'm not satisfied, the medium stays very muddy and no matter what kind of watering can I use, I can never seem to geet an even amount of water over my soil. I would def. spend the extra few bucks on the fox farm. As far as lights go, I'm using 2-150w daylights CFLs, 4-4ft Flourescent Tubes, and 2-2ft Flourescent Tubes. I mixed the tubes up, 2 daylight and 4 full spectrum infareds. All of this sounds expensive but all together I spent about 200 on my entire grow room. I coudn't be more satisfied. Since you have limited space and are using a grow tent with reflectors, I would stick with CFLs and DEFANETLY use Y sockets, they save loads on my electric bill while producing the light your plants will need. Go to any hardware store grab 2 Y sockets and 4 150watt daylight CFLs and place those lucky ladies 1-2 inches from the tops of each plant. TRUST ME! You can't go wrong! Odor will only be a big problem during flower and harvest, and since your only plannning on growing 2 at a time, you could probably get away with just using a medium room Ionizer.

Good Luck, post pics so we can see our progress!!

I got some CFLs added to my HPS and I think I got a great deal and a cheap way to light em up. The TCP 68 watt actuals from home depot ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100676712/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) are 15 bucks. 4 of those only 60 bucks and your getting 14800 lumens 2700k light out of those four bulbs at 272 watts. Heck go 5 or 6 or maybe add a couple 6500k's and they should rock. Not HID, but not bad either. To light them is real easy buy this ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100664505/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) and this ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100356980/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 )

Another way to light them up would be this ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100663218/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) and these ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100356967/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) and these ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100170446/h_d2/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&keyword=plug+to+socket&jspStoreDir=hdus&Nu=P_PARENT_ID&navFlow=3&catalogId=10053&langId=-1&ddkey=Search )

( http://1000bulbs.com/product/8256/FC105-S50OD.html )This bulb right here is the best overall deal Ive found for CFLS. 105 watts for 7150 lumens, medium base fits in a normal socket, nice 5,000k light. 3 of these and your running 21450 lumens, not bad at all.

If you can avoid growing in MG do so at all cost. They have stored nutrients in the soil that CAN cause burning. If you have local nursuries around your area I would try those for some quality soil. If you don't have any of those look for a hydro store. With only growing two plants you can buy a bag of FF or some quality soil that will last you for many, many grows. Have you thought about training any of your plants?? Meaning LST, ScROG, Topping etc... Check out my grow in my sig. I have one plant in a similar size cab. I am using 1 55w, 2 42w and 3 26w CFLs. If you need any advice or pointers let me know. Good luck!

Thanks so much everyone for the help!
Freakin love this site man haha

So it seems like I should be set with two large lights on the tops, and just fill in lights around as i need too

For soil i might go looking around for some quality soil at stores before i drop money on the fox farms.

Other than that im just waiting for the rest of the money i need to save up lol

Bird Gymnastics said:

If you can avoid growing in MG do so at all cost. They have stored nutrients in the soil that CAN cause burning. If you have local nursuries around your area I would try those for some quality soil. If you don't have any of those look for a hydro store. With only growing two plants you can buy a bag of FF or some quality soil that will last you for many, many grows. Have you thought about training any of your plants?? Meaning LST, ScROG, Topping etc... Check out my grow in my sig. I have one plant in a similar size cab. I am using 1 55w, 2 42w and 3 26w CFLs. If you need any advice or pointers let me know. Good luck!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the help man!

Sorry but im a complete newbie at growing. So i know about topping, but what is LST and ScROG? i keep seeing the expressions but i dont know what they are?.. sorry in advance if this is a dumb question lol

Mort Fink said:

I got some CFLs added to my HPS and I think I got a great deal and a cheap way to light em up. The TCP 68 watt actuals from home depot ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100676712/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) are 15 bucks. 4 of those only 60 bucks and your getting 14800 lumens 2700k light out of those four bulbs at 272 watts. Heck go 5 or 6 or maybe add a couple 6500k's and they should rock. Not HID, but not bad either. To light them is real easy buy this ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100664505/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) and this ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100356980/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 )

Another way to light them up would be this ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100663218/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) and these ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100356967/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 ) and these ( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100170446/h_d2/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&keyword=plug+to+socket&jspStoreDir=hdus&Nu=P_PARENT_ID&navFlow=3&catalogId=10053&langId=-1&ddkey=Search )

( http://1000bulbs.com/product/8256/FC105-S50OD.html )This bulb right here is the best overall deal Ive found for CFLS. 105 watts for 7150 lumens, medium base fits in a normal socket, nice 5,000k light. 3 of these and your running 21450 lumens, not bad at all.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the links dude! i might go pick these up asap. I want to make sure I have everything i need set up before i order any seeds!

bobvilla777 said:

Thanks for the help man!

Sorry but im a complete newbie at growing. So i know about topping, but what is LST and ScROG? i keep seeing the expressions but i dont know what they are?.. sorry in advance if this is a dumb question lol

Click to expand...

Ha ha not a problem at all man. We have all been in your shoes. Lst stands for Low stress training. It basically is bending your plant so that the lower branches imitate the main cola. By doing this you get more tops on your bud. Scrog is somewhat the same. All it is is placing a screen a few inches above the top of your.plants. as your plants grow up into your screen you bend the and weave the branches so.you receive more heads. These methods are good for people with limited amount of space and/or trying to maximize yield off a couple plants. I can get more into it if you need a better description.. I am at work right now on my phone ha ha

bobvilla777 said:

Ok thanks!

I think thats my best bet then, start off with 2 large ones, about 125w above each plant. then fill in with 26 or 27 watters for when the plants get bigger.

So would fox farms be better than mg?

Thanks for all the help!

Click to expand...

Hey, before you do that google them or check utube, apparantly those massive buggers blow easier due to the need for extra electrics inside which can not handle the moisture in the room. If you go a step down in watts then you can get some nice 85 watt bulbs (Mebay)which are the same as household ones in design only a bit bigger.
I have four of these, however they produce a fair amount of heat( for a cfl) so they are no good for my small area(chest of draws size)
Please research what i am about to say because im not 100% on this but i think the lumen output of the larger ones is not as good as the smaller 30watt bulbs(in relation to watts vs lumens) Another thing is if they are supposed to be 4inch or less away from your bud sites then you cant put one big bulb near four bud sites whereas you can have 4 smaller bulbs close to four bud sites. More versatile i think.
Just like to point out that i am no authority on this subject as i am just startinng my first cfl grow, i have read alot on here for the last month though, guess im saying double check my opinion with others on here.