How many and what Type CFL's or HID??? First Grow!!

I will be growing two Cataract Kush plants from seed on the way from Attitude, in DWC bucket systems,

I need to know what kind of CFL's to get, how many?? I've heard several smaller ones are better than a 125-200watt one.

Or what about a 150-400watt HID setup???

I will be growing in a dresser, about a 3.5ft wide x 1.5ft deep area!

THANKS!!!!

brenttheman123 said:

I will be growing two Cataract Kush plants from seed on the way from Attitude, in DWC bucket systems,

I need to know what kind of CFL's to get, how many?? I've heard several smaller ones are better than a 125-200watt one.

Or what about a 150-400watt HID setup???

I will be growing in a dresser, about a 3.5ft wide x 1.5ft deep area!

THANKS!!!!

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Well, don't get me wrong the CFL'S work good. But you would have/get far more & much more compact buds if you go with the HID system. Me personally, I have a 800 watt Led system + a 400 watt
HPS system + 3 300 watt CFL's, & also a few 120 watt CFL'S, and a few "blue spectrum CFL'S all on the bottoms of the plants for the "lower" growth. I had been using/growing with the mixed spectrum since my last run, and I had great results with it! I just posted pics of my last run in my grow thread if ya wanna check them out.. I have around 30 some strains going now, and counting.

Anyway, if I where you, I would 4 sure be getting the HID system! Just make sure to have good "air flow" in there to cut down on the heat. If you do go with the CFL'S, you want 6500k (bright white or daylight) bulbs for veg. 2700k (soft white or cool white) are used for flowering.
Well I hope that helps ya bro. If you have any other ?: just hollar!

Thanks for the Reply! Would a 250 watt complete ballast and bulb kit be suitable for such a grow? My only reason for leaning towards CFL's was because, I didn't want INSANE airflow because I'm concerned with smell. I'm going to make a carbon filter, however if there is high airflow I feel like there would be a noticeable scent around flowering. And one last Q, what do you think an average yield dry is from a smaller grow like this, as I am new to growing

brenttheman123 said:

Thanks for the Reply! Would a 250 watt complete ballast and bulb kit be suitable for such a grow? My only reason for leaning towards CFL's was because, I didn't want INSANE airflow because I'm concerned with smell. I'm going to make a carbon filter, however if there is high airflow I feel like there would be a noticeable scent around flowering. And one last Q, what do you think an average yield dry is from a smaller grow like this, as I am new to growing

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Well bro, as to the "light" & heat, as long as you have a small fan sit in there with them, it should be fine. Hell like said I have 30 some strains going in my home, and while there in vegging, honestly there's really not all that much smell, unless you brush agaisnt them, or are messing with um! Then they'll let off alittle smell! Now during "flowering", that's a different story! At that time, yes you will then need to make you a diy charcoal filter or something along those lines bud..

As for the yeild you'll get. What strain did you say it is? It really depends on what strain your running, also it depends on what nutes your using, there's a lot of things that play a role in how much you will harvest. If you could fill me in just alittle more on your strain, what nutrients you are using, or plan on using, soil,m etc"? Thanks. I will be watching for the info..

~Dankster~420 said:

Well bro, as to the "light" & heat, as long as you have a small fan sit in there with them, it should be fine. Hell like said I have 30 some strains going in my home, and while there in vegging, honestly there's really not all that much smell, unless you brush agaisnt them, or are messing with um! Then they'll let off alittle smell! Now during "flowering", that's a different story! At that time, yes you will then need to make you a diy charcoal filter or something along those lines bud..

As for the yeild you'll get. What strain did you say it is? It really depends on what strain your running, also it depends on what nutes your using, there's a lot of things that play a role in how much you will harvest. If you could fill me in just alittle more on your strain, what nutrients you are using, or plan on using, soil,m etc"? Thanks. I will be watching for the info..

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I will be growing 2 DNA Genetics Cataract Kush Plants (Cross Between LA Con. x OG Kush) in 2 individual Deep Water Culture Buckets with SunLeaves Rocks Grow Medium.
For nutrients, I have the General Hydroponics 3 pack, FloraGROW, FloraMICRO and FloraBLOOM
I will be using the recommended feeding schedule per Liter of water.

And I'm going to purchase this light 150watt HPS http://www.ebay.com/itm/150W-HPS-COMPLETE-Mini-Sun-Light-Grow-System-w-Lamp-150-watt-bulb-cap-sodium-/160992974597?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257bedd705

I will be growing in a dresser, about a 3.5ft wide x 1.5ft deep area!

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With that small of a space, I say, go with the CFL's...
As many as you can fit, 6500K 23 watt... on sides of plant, top, all within 3-5 "....
You might mix in some 2300K 23 watt'rs... control of heat will be an issue inside your small space...
Air in.. and more air out...
And, no, there is no such thing as too many CFL's...
Good Luck man...

brenttheman123 said:

I will be growing 2 DNA Genetics Cataract Kush Plants (Cross Between LA Con. x OG Kush) in 2 individual Deep Water Culture Buckets with SunLeaves Rocks Grow Medium.
For nutrients, I have the General Hydroponics 3 pack, FloraGROW, FloraMICRO and FloraBLOOM
I will be using the recommended feeding schedule per Liter of water.

And I'm going to purchase this light 150watt HPS http://www.ebay.com/itm/150W-HPS-COMPLETE-Mini-Sun-Light-Grow-System-w-Lamp-150-watt-bulb-cap-sodium-/160992974597?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257bedd705

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Sounds good 2 me. You'll have mixed "replys" of what people think. But trust me, if you get a good fan, or if your new 150 watt system has a place to hook up an "exhaust" to it, I would run some dryer hose to it, or you could make an exhaust hole in you cab & place a small computer fan at the end that's in the cab, and it will suck all the "hot" air out and to whereever you end up running the other end. So with the small fan blowing in there, and a exhaust hose in there taking it out, "heat" won't be to much of a issue! And if you where to run a ton of CFL'S in there, it would be the same heat wise imo, and your yeild wouldn't be what you "could" get with the system your planning on getting.
Also, to keep your plants nice and "short" to have enough headroom away from the system, I would say your going to have to do some LST on them. I think it will work out just fine bro..

Okay thanks for all the replies! I will most likely be going with the 150 watt system as buying several CFL's will be costly! This system I linked above is only $65 w/ free shipping and I think I would need at least like 10-15 CFL's to do the job if they are only 23 watt. Never the less I'll be starting a grow journal soon!

brenttheman123 said:

Okay thanks for all the replies! I will most likely be going with the 150 watt system as buying several CFL's will be costly! This system I linked above is only $65 w/ free shipping and I think I would need at least like 10-15 CFL's to do the job if they are only 23 watt. Never the less I'll be starting a grow journal soon!

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I've read from multiple sources that it's more power efficient to get the 250W. If you google it I'm sure you'll find what I'm talking about. Good luck.

This would be a pretty good set up to consider if you have the extra $50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250w-Digital-Dimmable-Ballast-95-Wing-Reflector-250-Watt-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-Kit-/400474398020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3e225d44

blowincherrypie said:

This would be a pretty good set up to consider if you have the extra $50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250w-Digital-Dimmable-Ballast-95-Wing-Reflector-250-Watt-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-Kit-/400474398020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3e225d44

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try find one thats comes with a air cooled hood

blowincherrypie said:

This would be a pretty good set up to consider if you have the extra $50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250w-Digital-Dimmable-Ballast-95-Wing-Reflector-250-Watt-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-Kit-/400474398020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3e225d44

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Yea I was looking at that kit, my concerns are, does the MH bulb work in the same ballast as the HPS and also, I can manage heat its just when
flowering comes around, will the massive airflow from heat control allow for a smell, because even with a carbon filter I CANT have much of a smell, only slight if none at all

Thanks!!

brenttheman123 said:

Yea I was looking at that kit, my concerns are, does the MH bulb work in the same ballast as the HPS and also, I can manage heat its just when
flowering comes around, will the massive airflow from heat control allow for a smell, because even with a carbon filter I CANT have much of a smell, only slight if none at all

Thanks!!

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yes that ballast runs both types of bulbs

Thanks for the response! I also notice it is dimmable, could this be used since my grow is only 2 plants to lower heat?
If so I'm getting that kit!

brenttheman123 said:

Thanks for the response! I also notice it is dimmable, could this be used since my grow is only 2 plants to lower heat?
If so I'm getting that kit!

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find same kit with a air cooled sealed hood
then u add ducting and inline fan and temps big time lowered

How tall is the dresser? What's your budget? Regardless of heat you're going to have to do something to control the smell come flowering, and sometimes your setup to control the smell can help with temps as well. I'm having great results using a tent inside of a closet. If you have the couple dollars to spend on a tent, it can really pay for itself with the light seal, reflective material, support bars and port holes all ready to go make it real easy to start.

DONNYS said:

find same kit with a air cooled sealed hood
then u add ducting and inline fan and temps big time lowered

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It would be at least another $50 but OP might need to do it because it would really be the only way to control heat if you stick with the dresser.

blowincherrypie said:

How tall is the dresser? What's your budget? Regardless of heat you're going to have to do something to control the smell come flowering, and sometimes your setup to control the smell can help with temps as well. I'm having great results using a tent inside of a closet. If you have the couple dollars to spend on a tent, it can really pay for itself with the light seal, reflective material, support bars and port holes all ready to go make it real easy to start.

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I've already spent $160 and I'd like to keep it under $300 preferably. Here's the deal with smell. I live with a roommate and we don't care, but we have friends over who CANT know, I dont really care if there's a little smell because I can say its my quarter sack or something. I just DON'T want the neighbors knowing because they WILL call the cops, they're an old couple.

The dresser has about 3.5-4 ft of height to work with inside, I could probably take some panels out and make it 4.5-5 ft.

And this will be my first grow, although I've been researching for the past 5 months, I just need people who have been there done that to point out things I might overlook.

Thanks!

blowincherrypie said:

It would be at least another $50 but OP might need to do it because it would really be the only way to control heat if you stick with the dresser.

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only way with that small space

Wal-mart! I went and got 4 of those activated charcoal "fish tank" filters, made a frame, fit those in the frame, it looks ghetto looking, but hey it works, and that's all that matters!!

brenttheman123 said:

I've already spent $160 and I'd like to keep it under $300 preferably. Here's the deal with smell. I live with a roommate and we don't care, but we have friends over who CANT know, I dont really care if there's a little smell because I can say its my quarter sack or something. I just DON'T want the neighbors knowing because they WILL call the cops, they're an old couple.

The dresser has about 3.5-4 ft of height to work with inside, I could probably take some panels out and make it 4.5-5 ft.

And this will be my first grow, although I've been researching for the past 5 months, I just need people who have been there done that to point out things I might overlook.

Thanks!

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