first time grower

I need advice from experienced growers. I'm gonna be running 2 DWC 5 gallon buckets inside a 36"x20"x60" grow tent. I was thinking of using a 2ft 2 lamp 110 watt t5 and also a couple cfls with clamp light reflectors for side lighting. Would this be a good way to go? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

You are starting a little too advanced I think. Go for it but there is a lot to learn when it comes to problems. I use HID lights with my UDWC installation and I love them. I don't have a tent though. Using smaller lights will greatly affect your yield. Side lighting is a good idea. *Protip* look up, make and use Heisenberg tea in a DWC system to prevent some really common bad diseases to your plants.

snookdacrook said:

I need advice from experienced growers. I'm gonna be running 2 DWC 5 gallon buckets inside a 36"x20"x60" grow tent. I was thinking of using a 2ft 2 lamp 110 watt t5 and also a couple cfls with clamp light reflectors for side lighting. Would this be a good way to go? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

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No, not enough light, not at all, not on any level of the imagination. Buy ONE clip on lamp, $9 at Walmart, socket splitter at Home Depot $4, (2) 105W CFL, $40. That is what I would tell you to run, screw a T5 for anything but vegging out small plants.

What's too advanced about it all the reading I've done says dwc is fairly simple as long as u devote enough time each week for res changes and all that other shit what do u suggest I use instead should i Switch to soil or something....at the risk of sounding like a noob but wouldn't those 2 cfls be a lot less light than what I said

Start basic for your first time, or you'll end up just throwing $$$ down the drain. Get some miracle grow and descent bag seed. your lights will work if close enough and monitored. What spectrum bulbs and how many total "actual" watts.

VM innovations is selling 2 150w HPS's (mini sunburst complete) for $115 shipping included. HTG sells a 400w HPS for $120. I would definitely go with one of those options over the t5s, but the side lighting is a great idea.

I've been growing for almost a year and I wouldn't consider a DWC even now. Start simple....screw up your first grow like all of us did, and then decide how complicated you want to make growing. The T5 is not enough light....if you want to grow under florescent lighting and are serious about growing, you should consider an 6 or 8 bulb 4' light. CFL's are fine as long as you have ventilation to pull the heat out.

Flouros are fine if used properly. Don't spend $ on HID yet when you just need a couple more cheap flouros. That's where I would start...and personally started. Aim for 50 actual watts/sq foot. T5s an inch or two above and CFLs supplementing. I bought 42w CFLs from habitat for humanity for a buck a piece!